Design and Development of Lornoxicam Orodispersible Films for Rapid Pain Relief in Inflammatory Disorders

Abstract

This study intended to design and produce fast-acting lornoxicam orodispersible films (ODFs) to deliver rapid analgesic and anti-inflammatory relief while enhancing patient compliance, especially for those with dysphagia or needing on-the-go dosage. Lornoxicam, a powerful oxicam-class NSAID characterized by low aqueous solubility and significant gastrointestinal irritation potential, was integrated into thin polymeric films fabricated via the solvent-casting technique utilizing HPMC E15 as the film-forming polymer. Superdisintegrants, including sodium starch glycolate (SSG) and croscarmellose sodium (CCS), were assessed to improve film wetting and disintegration. The pre-formulation FTIR study validated drug-excipient compatibility, and UV-visible spectrophotometry facilitated precise drug measurement. All created films were evaluated for physicomechanical parameters, including thickness, folding durability, surface pH, weight variation, and drug content uniformity, all of which adhered to approved standards. In-vitro disintegration and dissolution analyses revealed swift disintegration and expedited drug release, with the improved formulations attaining over 80% release within 10 minutes and practically total release by 20 minutes. The release kinetics were optimally characterized by the Korsmeyer–Peppas model, signifying non-Fickian diffusion. Accelerated stability experiments validated the formulation’s physical and chemical integrity throughout the testing duration. The formulated lornoxicam ODFs demonstrate significant potential as a rapid-acting, patient-friendly substitute for traditional NSAID dosage forms.