Exploring The Potential of Mucoadhesive Buccal Films in Geriatric Medicine

As the global demographic shifts toward an aging society, the geriatric patient population is steadily increasing. These patients often suffer from comorbidities and require numerous oral medications, which can be especially challenging for dysphagic geriatric patients. Mucoadhesive buccal films (MBFs) seem promising and could reduce pill burden, simplify administration, and enable individualized drug therapy. This review aims to explore the age-related changes in the oral cavity and their impact on MBF delivery, including potential strategies to overcome these age-related barriers to drug delivery. It was observed that aging impacts the oral mucosa as well the properties of the saliva. There are several studies in the application of buccal films including the use of a wide range of permeation enhancers. The 3D printing of buccal films seems to introduce dosing flexibility to buccal film manufacturing.