Development of film dosage form containing allopurinol for prevention and treatment of oral mucositis.

Film dosage forms (FDs) containing allopurinol (AP) were prepared using a casting method with water-soluble polysaccharides, such as sodium alginate (ALG), and the release profile of AP from FDs was investigated in limited dissolution medium. Some ALGs were able to form FDs incorporating AP, and the thickness was about 50 μm. All FDs were easy to handle, though the rheological properties varied with ALG species. AP was homogenously present throughout the FDs and was released with disintegration in 10 mL of physiological saline. These results confirmed that FDs are useful for preventing or treating localized problems in the oral cavity, such as mucositis. FDs are also useful for administering drugs to cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.