Alka Ahuja, Nida'a M. A. Wadi, Fatma Abdul Razak Al Sayigh, Abdul Salam Nazmi, Sukaina Habib Al-Humaid, Marwa Al-Hakak, Khalid Al Balushi, Mariya Mohammed Al Hilali and Raya Al Shereiqi
Nausea and vomiting are symptoms of many different conditions, such as infection, food poisoning and motion sickness. At present, oral and intravenous are the most used routes of antiemetic administration in chemotherapeutic regimens. The effectiveness of conventional drug schedules and formulations is often impaired by difficulties associated with oral or intravenous chemotherapy administration. These problems can be overcome by alternative or new drug delivery systems, hence improving patient compliance. Development of novel delivery systems for antiemetic drugs, as an alternative to conventional preparations, is important in terms of good patient compliance and improving bioavailability. In the present study an antiemetic formulation of Domperidone in the form of an in-situ gel was prepared. The release studies showed very promising results. It was observed that Domperidone was released from the gels in a sustained release manner. The formulation variables such as concentration of polymer affects rate and extent of drug release, which is due to increase in density of polymer and also increase in dissolution path length that the drug molecule has to travel. The developed Domperidone in situ nasal gel formulation showed a more than 11 μg /ml permeation of drug in 6 hours through the epithelium membrane. This local delivery system is anticipated to achieve good patient compliance and improve clinical outcomes as the gel formulation is applied directly to the site of action in the form of solution which upon contact forms a gel.