Medicated Chewing Gums - Advantages and Disadvantages

Introduction:

The oral drug delivery system is getting advanced as new technologies and formulations are developed daily. Medicated chewing gum is one of the most recent drug delivery methods, which is fast catching on due to its fast mechanism of action. Chewing gums originated from ancient Greeks who used to extract chewing gums from chewable resin trees known as mastic. The first medicated chewing gum, Aspergum, was manufactured in 1942 in the United States of America. The first patent for using medicated chewing gums as medicine for teeth protection was received by Doctor William F. It became famous worldwide due to its properties like healthy nutrition and fast mechanism of action.

What Are Medicated Chewing Gums?

Medicated chewing gum is a method to deliver a drug into the system consisting of masticatory chewing gums as the base. It contains a pharmacologically active ingredient that is used for the treatment of various diseases. The systemic absorption of the drugs takes place by oral mucosa. It is one of the most preferred drug delivery methods in liquids and tablet forms. It is prepared as a single solid drug dose with a gum base. It can be given through local treatment for mouth diseases. Medicated chewing gums are one of the non-invasive methods of the drug delivery system, which can be used to treat various oral diseases.

What Are the Components of Medicated Chewing Gums?

Medicated chewing gums include synthetic gums, resins, sugar-for-sweating agents, corn syrup pharmaceutical agents, and coloring agents. Usually, the commonly used gum base is polyvinyl acetate. The chewing gums have two parts: the water-insoluble gum base portion and the water-insoluble bulk portion.

What Are the Factors That Affect the Release of Active Ingredients in Medicated Chewing Gums?

The following factors affect the release of active ingredients in medicated chewing gums:

• The systemic effect of the medicated chewing gums is independent of the contact time of the oral mucosa.

• The lipid-soluble drug in the gum base is released slowly into the oral mucosa.

• The saliva is released within minutes of use.

• The intensity of drug release is affected by the chewing frequency and chewing intensity.

• The amount of gum base increases the release of active pharmaceutical agents.

• The lipophilic fraction of the gum base present in medicated chewing decreases the release of active pharmaceutical agents.

What Is the Therapeutic Value of Medicated Chewing Gums?

The following therapeutic qualities of medicated chewing gums have been noted:

• It helps prevent dental caries by stimulating the secretion of saliva.

• It is effective in patients suffering from dry mouth or xerostomia.

• It contains active ingredients such as chlorhexidine, which helps prevent gingival and periodontal diseases.

• It helps in preventing infection affecting the oral cavity.

• It has various systemic effects such as vitamin C source reducing pain and treating motion sickness.

• It has various local effects, such as neutralizing plaque accumulated in teeth, reducing halitosis or bad breath, preventing dental caries, and antibacterial and antifungal effects.

• It can help reduce weight as it contains chromium which helps in reducing food cravings.

• It can also be effective in smoking cessation.

What Are the Advantages of Medicated Chewing Gums?

As a medicine delivery mechanism, medicated chewing gums have various advantages, including:

1. Convenience: Because chewing gums are portable and easy to transport, they are a practical way to take medication on the go.

2. Enhanced Bioavailability: Chewing gum enables quick medication absorption through the oral mucosa, delivering a speedier onset of action than alternative dosage forms such as pills or capsules.

3. Non-invasive: Chewing gum is a non-invasive form of medicine delivery that some patients may prefer over ingesting tablets or receiving injections.

4. Improves Patient Compliance: Chewing gum can improve drug bioavailability by bypassing first-pass metabolism in the liver and delivering the medicine directly to the bloodstream.

5. Tailored Dosing: Chewing gum can enhance patient compliance by providing a pleasurable and convenient method of taking medication.

6. Customized Dosing: Medicated chewing gums can be designed to give precise quantities of medication, which may be especially useful for treatments requiring tailored dosing.

Overall, medicated chewing gums provide a novel and simple method of drug delivery that may be beneficial to some patients. But, like with any drug, it is critical to seek professional advice.

What Are the Disadvantages of Medicated Chewing Gums?

Medicated chewing gums can be a simple and effective approach to administering medication to the body. However, there are a number of drawbacks to their use, which include:

1. Limited Effectiveness: Certain medications may not be adequately absorbed by the body through the oral cavity, making medicated chewing gums less effective than other types of medication.

2. Gum Base: Gum bases can obstruct the absorption of certain drugs, making them difficult to release and absorb by the body.

3. Adverse Effects: Like with any medications, medicated chewing gums can induce nausea, dizziness, and headaches.

4. Choking Hazards: Chewing gum can be a choking hazard, especially for children or individuals who have difficulty swallowing.

5. Medication Interactions: Certain medications in the medicated chewing gums can interact with other medications.

6. Sugar Content: Many medicinal chewing gums contain sugar or artificial sweeteners, which can cause tooth difficulties, weight gain, and other health problems.

Before using any drug, including medicated chewing gums, it is critical to check with a healthcare expert to understand the potential dangers and benefits.

Conclusion:

Medicated chewing gums can be a simple and effective approach to administering medication to the body. They have a number of advantages, including a quick onset of action, non-invasive delivery, and greater patient compliance. Furthermore, they can be designed to give exact amounts of medication while bypassing first-pass metabolism in the liver, resulting in increased bioavailability. However, there are some drawbacks to medicated chewing gums, such as reduced effectiveness for certain prescriptions, potential adverse effects, and interactions with other drugs or supplements. Before using medicated chewing gums, it is critical to check with a healthcare practitioner to ensure they are appropriate for an individual's specific needs and to understand the potential dangers and benefits. Overall, medicated chewing gums provide a novel drug delivery strategy that can be useful to patients.