Kiran Vema / J Compr Phar 2014;1(5):149-155 149 2 Buccal Patches with Combination drugs: Tramadol and Paracetamol Kiran Vema a* , Rama Rao Tadikonda b , Narasimha J Korlakunta c a Department of Pharmaceutics, Sree Chaitanya Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Karimnagar-505001, Telangana, India. b Department of Pharmaceutics, Avanthi College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hyderabad-500082, Telangana, India. C Director, International Science-Tech Research Institute, Anantapur-515001, A.P, India. INTRODUCTION Amongst the various routes of drug delivery, oral route is perhaps the most preferred to the patient and the clinician alike. However, per oral administration of drugs has disadvantages such as hepatic first pass metabolism and enzymatic degradation within the GI tract, that prohibit the oral administration of certain classes of drugs especially peptides and proteins [1]. The Parenteral route is not routinely used for self– administration of medication. Consequently, other absorptive mucosa is considered as potential sites for drug administration. Transmucosal routes of drug delivery (i.e. the mucosal lining of the nasal, rectal, vaginal, ocular and oral cavity) offer distinct advantages over per oral administration for systematic drug delivery. These advantages include possible by pass of first pass effect, avoidance of pre-systemic elimination within the G.I. tract, and depending on the particular drugs, a better enzymatic flora for drug absorption. The nasal cavity as a site for systemic drug delivery, however, the potential irritation and the irreversible Journal of Comprehensive Pharmacy Research Article Available Online at: www.jcponline.in ISSN NO: 2349-5669 ARTICLE INFO Article history: Received 22 October 2014 Accepted 15 November 2014 Available online 31 December 2014 *Corresponding author: Kiran Vema E-mail: strahl75@gmail.com Tel.: +91-9866475518. ABSTRACT Aim Present study aims at preparation and evaluation of buccal patches for combination drugs for Paracetamol and tramadol which are used in pain management. The patches were developed by using HPMC, Carbopol as polymers. Such dosage forms helps in repeated administration of dosage forms and patient acceptance. Method Buccal Patches of combination drugs Paracetamol and Tramadol were prepared by using Solvent casting method using HPMC and Carbopol as polymers individually and in combination. The patches were developed along with different plasticizers to understand their effect too. The prepared patches were evaluated for folding endurance, swelling index, surface pH, weight variation, thickness, drug content and Invitro release by dissolution studies. Results The patches were developed as F1 to F14 with different compositions. All the physical parameters were found to be at par with standard values. Among these formulations F1, F9, F13 and F14 were selected for evaluation tests for different reasons. FTIR also says that polymer and drugs were compatible with each other. Conclusion form the results obtained it was evident that the patches for the above said drugs i.e. Paracetmol and tramadol will be promising dosage form in pain management and among the all the formulations the drug release from formulation F14 was promising as the release was slow and sustained manner. Further the patches have to be tested for optimization and bioadhesive tests. Key words: Paracetamol, Tramadol, Buccal Patches, HPMC, Carbopol, Mucoadhesive Patches.