Mucoadhesive gel containing naphazoline hydrochloride for ophtalmic delivery

Naphazoline (NPH) is a vasoconstrictor agent, and reduces inflammation and swelling of the conjunctiva. The effect of naphazoline arises from its direct binding to adrenergic receptor sites on unstriated muscle cells in the blood vessels. A modern tendency of ocular delivery is represented by systems capable of both lengthening pre-cornea1 contact time and slowing the release of drug from the vehicle. There is considerable logic in attempting the retention of the delivery systems in the front of the eye, because of the enormous loss of an instilled drug solution that typically occurs soon after administration. In this study we present a low viscous formulation with mucoadesive properties to control the residence time in pre-corneal area and the release and permeation rates of drug.