Introduction: Fast-dissolving oral delivery system is a solid dosage form, which is used as a novel approach, as it dissolves rapidly in the mouth and directly reaches the systemic circulation. This facilitates rapid absorption and reduces first-pass effects. These films provide better utilization without the need to chew and do not require the need of water for administration. Fast-dissolving oral films might be useful in special patients like those with swallowing difficulties and in that in chemotherapy. This study was aimed to formulate and evaluate the fast dissolving oral films of Cetirizine Hydrochloride. Methods: Oral films of Cetirizine Hydrochloride were prepared using Hydroxy Propyl Methyl Cellulose (HPMC), Polyvinyl alcohol, glycerol, aspartame in different concentrations by the solvent casting method. Films were evaluated for different physical Films were subjected to USP dissolution studies. Results: The drug content of the nine formulations was found to be in the range as per Indian Pharmacopeia. In vitro release studies indicated 60-91% release within 30 min in the formulated oral films. The best release was found to be 91.58% of formulation F7, having a minimum concentration of HPMC alone as a polymer along with other common ingredients and minimum release was found to be 60.01% of formulation F1. Surface pH was found to be near to neutral (pH 7) which was good for buccal mucosa. Conclusion: Increasing the concentration of polymer (PVA and HPMC) while keeping the plasticizer ratio constant showed enhanced folding endurance. The dissolution rates were also increased with the increase in the concentration of the polymers. The high concentration of polymers decreased the release rate of cetirizine while a low concentration of polymers causes an increment in the release rate of cetirizine.

Background: Self-medication is the treatment of self-diagnosed symptoms or conditions with medicines taken on own initiative without professional supervision .Though self-medication reduces the burden to the health care facilities, save time etc. it increases the risk if utilized inappropriately. Objectives: This study was done with the aim to determine self-medication practices among residents of Madhyapur Thimi Municipality ward number 4, Bhaktapur, Nepal. Method: A descriptive cross sectional study was used and non-probability purposive sampling technique was adopted. Study was conducted in Madhyapur Thimi-4 in Bhaktapur district with sample size of total 309 community people of age 20 to 60 years. Data was collected by interview with the help of semi structured questionnaire and was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Out of 309 participants, 215(69.6%) community people practiced self-medication with one’s past experience 88(40.7%) as the most common source of information. Most commonly used medicine was NSAID 63(29.3%) followed by decongestant 30(13.9%). Medicines were self-prescribed for headache 49 (22.7%), fever 37(17.2%), cold and flu 30(13.9%) with the aim to save the time and for quick relief 50(23.6%). Practice of self-medication was statistically significant with age of respondents (p=0.000), level of education (p=0.004) and type of family (p=0.009). Conclusion: The practice of self-medication was common for different illness like headache, fever, diarrhea etc and most commonly self medicated medicine was NSAID.

Orally disintegrating tablets of Furosemide were prepared, evaluated and the comparison of the action of different concentrations of disintegrants on disintegration and dissolution of the tablets were studied. Direct compression method was used to prepare the orally disintegrating tablets containing 20 mg of Furosemide. The formulation was conducted using different concentrations of crospovidone, croscarmellose and sodium starch glycolate as superdisintegrants and their interactions with Furosemide were also evaluated using FTIR.  FTIR studies using the drug and its mixtures with the excipients showed that the peaks correlate with one another which signify that there is no interaction between the drug molecule and the excipients used. The obtained results revealed that the disintegration time of ODTs were between 9 to 59 seconds. The percentage drug content of tablets in all the formulations was found between 91.51% to 106.69%, which complies with the limits established in pharmacopoeia. The in-vitro dissolution studies show maximum release of 89.47% in formulation F3 and minimum of 77.64% in formulation F12. Higher concentration of crospovidone and croscarmellose in formulations F3 and F6 showed better dissolution properties than SSG. So by varying the concentrations of superdisintegrants, oral disintegrating tablets can be formulated.