New film forming emulsions containing Eudragit® NE and/or RS 30D for sustained dermal delivery of nonivamide.

Film forming emulsions containing Eudragit® NE 30D (NE) and/or Eudragit® RS 30D (RS) were developed and investigated. The influences of surfactant (polysorbate 80), thickeners (hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinylalcohol (PVA)) and varying compositions of NE and RS on glass transition temperature, mechanical properties and water resistance of free films were investigated. Elongation was found to increase with increasing NE fraction or addition of polysorbate 80 and to decrease with the addition of PVP. Adhesion to polycarbonate was generally higher than to glass. Adhesion to glass and polycarbonate was found to be influenced by NE/RS ratio, choice of thickener and addition of surfactant. An increase in RS led to stronger adherence to glass and to higher water resistance. Desired properties were obtained from films containing PVA, polysorbate 80 and 0-40% NE. These formulations were used in in vitro release and permeation experiments. In vitro release of nonivamide was found to rise with increasing amount of NE in the formulation. Permeation through pig ear skin was found to be independent of NE-ratio but was clearly slower than from a standard formulation.