A method for producing an ocular polymer film for extended delivery of pilocarpine

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of pharmaceutical technology and biomedicine, specifically to methods for producing mucoadhesive ophthalmic dosage forms for the prolonged delivery of pilocarpine hydrochloride. A method for producing an ophthalmic polymer film based on the natural polymer gellan and synthetic poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) is proposed. The method includes preparing a 0.75% aqueous solution of gellan and a 1.0% aqueous solution of poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline), mixing the said solutions in a ratio of 60:40, introducing pilocarpine hydrochloride in an amount of 0.042–0.084 g per 30 ml of the polymer composition and glycerin at a concentration of 0.5 vol.% of the total volume of the polymer composition, subsequent casting, evaporation of the solvent at a temperature of 18–25°C and drying for 2–3 days to obtain a mucoadhesive ophthalmic polymer film. The resulting film possesses mechanical strength, elasticity, and mucoadhesive properties, providing prolonged action of pilocarpine hydrochloride. In vivo studies have shown that the miotic effect persists for up to 240 minutes after film administration.