FAST DISSOLVING ORAL FILMS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON POLYMERS, TECHNOLOGIES, AND THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL

Mani Babu Valavala and Nagineni Sudarshan Rao*

Fast Dissolving Oral Films (FDOFs) have emerged as an innovative and patient-friendly drug delivery system, offering rapid onset of action, ease of administration, and improved patient compliance, particularly among pediatric, geriatric, and dysphagic populations. These thin, flexible films disintegrate quickly upon contact with saliva, eliminating the need for water or swallowing, which is advantageous in a variety of therapeutic settings. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the key components and formulation strategies involved in FDOF development, with a particular emphasis on the role of polymers—natural, synthetic, and semi-synthetic—in determining film properties such as mechanical strength, disintegration time, and drug release profile. Advanced manufacturing technologies, including solvent casting, hot-melt extrusion, and 3D printing, are critically analyzed for their scalability and suitability across drug types. Furthermore, the article highlights recent advancements in the incorporation of poorly soluble drugs, nanoparticles, and bioactive molecules into FDOFs. The therapeutic potential of FDOFs in delivering analgesics, antiemetics, antihistamines, and vaccines is also discussed, along with regulatory considerations and market trends. Overall, FDOFs represent a promising frontier in oral drug delivery, with continued innovation expected to expand their clinical and commercial applications.