Electrospun Orodispersible Films of Isoniazid for Pediatric Tuberculosis Treatment
Konstantina Chachlioutaki,
Emmanouil K. Tzimtzimis,
Dimitrios Tzetzis,
Ming-Wei Chang,
Zeeshan Ahmad,
Christina Karavasili,
Dimitrios G. Fatouros
Affiliations
Konstantina Chachlioutaki
Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Emmanouil K. Tzimtzimis
Digital Manufacturing and Materials Characterization Laboratory, School of Science and Technology, International Hellenic University, 14km Thessaloniki–N. Moudania, GR-57001 Thermi, Greece
Dimitrios Tzetzis
Digital Manufacturing and Materials Characterization Laboratory, School of Science and Technology, International Hellenic University, 14km Thessaloniki–N. Moudania, GR-57001 Thermi, Greece
Ming-Wei Chang
Nanotechnology and Integrated Bioengineering Centre, University of Ulster, Jordanstown Campus, Newtownabbey BT37 0QB, Northern Ireland, UK
Zeeshan Ahmad
Leicester School of Pharmacy, De Montfort University, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK
Christina Karavasili
Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Dimitrios G. Fatouros
Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Child-appropriate dosage forms are critical in promoting adherence and effective pharmacotherapy in pediatric patients, especially those undergoing long-term treatment in low-resource settings. The present study aimed to develop orodispersible films (ODFs) for isoniazid administration to children exposed to tuberculosis. The ODFs were produced from the aqueous solutions of natural and semi-synthetic polymer blends using electrospinning. The spinning solutions and the resulting fibers were physicochemically characterized, and the disintegration time and isoniazid release from the ODFs were assessed in simulated salivary fluid. The ODFs comprised of nanofibers with adequate thermal stability and possible drug amorphization. Film disintegration occurred instantly upon contact with simulated salivary fluid within less than 15 s, and isoniazid release from the ODFs in the same medium followed after the disintegration profiles, achieving rapid and total drug release within less than 60 s. The ease of administration and favorable drug loading and release properties of the ODFs may provide a dosage form able to facilitate proper adherence to treatment within the pediatric patient population.
