The objective of present studies was to develop a Sumatriptan succinate buccal mucoadhesive tablet using mucoadhesive polymers such as HPMC K4M, ethyl cellulose and guar gum in alone and in combination as release retarding agent to prolong the drug release, to increase mucoadhesive strength and to avoid first pass metabolism. The mucoadhesive buccal tablets were prepared by wet granulation method. The prepared granules of all the formulations were evaluated for precompression parameters to ensure flow properties during tablet punching. The prepared mucoadhesive buccal tablets were evaluated for physicochemical parameters such as hardness, thickness uniformity, weight variation, and moisture absorption studies. The prepared buccal tablets were also evaluated for mucoadhesive strength and in vitro drug release dissolution studies. The drug excipients compatibility was evaluated by FTIR and DSC studies. Ex vivo mucoadhesive strength, and in vitro release studies showed that formulation SMF6 containing all the three polymers combination showed satisfactory bioadhesive and exhibited optimum drug release (99.33 % after 10hrs). FTIR and DSC results showed no evidence of interaction between the Sumatriptan succinate and mucoadhesive polymers. Hence different mucoadhesive polymers (HPMC K4M, ethyl cellulose and guar gum) in various proportions can be used to prepare mucoadhesive buccal tablets of Sumatriptan succinate having prolonged therapeutic effect with enhanced patience compliance by avoiding first pass metabolism.
