Controlled Drug Delivery in Polymeric Films

Advanced drug delivery systems designed on the basis of controlled drug release through oral polymeric films have demonstrated significant progress in the medical field. These systems operate in a way that the drug is placed within a polymeric matrix, and upon consumption, the polymeric film gradually swells due to solvent evaporation, subsequently leading to the controlled release of the drug under the influence of physical stimuli. The release rate of the drug can be controlled by adjusting the polymer structure and through formulation changes. Precise control of the swelling degree of polymeric films is of great importance as one of the key components for the effectiveness of delivery systems; insufficient swelling can cause incomplete drug release, while excessive swelling may lead to rapid degradation of the film structure and uncontrollable drug release in the patient's mouth. Therefore, engineering and controlling the swelling rate in the drug release process is considered a critical issue and is given special attention.