MEDICATED CHEWING GUM: AN UPDATED REVIEW

Harsha Soni*, Anju Mishra and Jhakeshwar Prasad

ABSTRACT

Chewing gums are mobile drug delivery systems. Unlike chewable tablets medicated gums are not supposed to be swallowed and may be removed from the site of application without resort to invasive means and medicated chewing gum MCG is solid, single dose preparation. As for as patient convenience is concerned it is discrete and easy administration without water promotes higher compliance. Since it can be taken anywhere, a chewing gum formulation is an excellent choice for acute medication. The advantages for children and for patients who find swallowing tablets difficult are obvious. The medicated chewing gums are solid, single dose preparations with a base consisting mainly of gums that are intended to be chewed, but not swallowed. They contain one or more active substances, which are released by chewing and are intended to be used for local treatment of mouth diseases or systemic delivery after absorption through the buccal mucosa. This concept is supported by statements that chewing gum can help reduce the risk of dental caries (cavities), smoking cessation, fungal infection, motion sickness, Inflammation etc. The objective of this systematic study is to appraise existing evidence concerning a possible therapeutic effect of chewing gum for patients. MCG represents the newest system with potential uses in pharmaceuticals, over the counter medicines and nutraceuticals.

Keywords: Chewing gums; Composition of MCG; Methods of preparation; Evaluation parameters; Therapeutic uses.