Quickly soluble oral film dosage containing steviosides as a unpleasant taste masking agent

1. A soluble oral film dosage, comprising:

at least one water-soluble polymer; at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient; an aftertaste enhancer comprising a stevioside based sweetener which achieves peak sweetness in greater than 100 seconds; and at least one taste masking agent comprising a primary sweetening agent which achieves peak sweetness in less than 100 seconds;

wherein the soluble oral film dosage contains 0.1 to 10 wt. % of the stevioside based sweetener;

wherein the stevioside based sweetener and the primary sweetening agent are in a relative ratio by weight (w/w) of 1:3 to 3:1;

wherein the primary sweetening agent is acesulfame-potassium, aspartame, or a mixture thereof, wherein a bitter and/or nasty taste is masked after one minute of dissolving the film in an oral cavity.

2. The soluble oral film dosage according to claim 1 , wherein the soluble oral film dosage contains 0.1 to 10 wt. % of the primary sweetening agent.

3. The soluble oral film dosage according to claim 1 , wherein the primary sweetening agent is acesulfame-potassium.

4. The soluble oral film dosage according to claim 1 , wherein the primary sweetening agent is aspartame.

5. The soluble oral film dosage according to claim 1 , wherein the stevioside based sweetener is stevioside.

6. The soluble oral film dosage according to claim 1 , wherein the soluble oral film dosage contains 1.2 to 10 wt. % of the stevioside based sweetener.

7. A soluble oral film dosage, comprising:

at least one water-soluble polymer;

at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient;

an aftertaste enhancer comprising a stevioside based sweetener; and

at least one taste masking agent comprising a primary sweetening agent;

wherein the primary sweetening agent is acesulfame-potassium, aspartame, or a mixture thereof;

wherein the soluble oral film dosage contains 0.1 to 10 wt. % of the stevioside based sweetener; and

wherein the stevioside based sweetener and the primary sweetening agent are in a relative ratio by weight (w/w) of 1:3 to 3:1, wherein a bitter and/or nasty taste is masked after one minute of dissolving the film in an oral cavity.

8. The soluble oral film dosage according to claim 7 , wherein the stevioside based sweetener is at least one sweetener selected from the group consisting of stevioside, enzyme treated stevia and rebaudioside A.

9. The soluble oral film dosage according to claim 7 , wherein the water-soluble polymer is at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of pullulan, gelatin, pectin, low viscosity pectin, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, low viscosity hydroxylpropylmethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinylalcohol, polyacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate copolymer, carboxyvinyl polymer, polyethyleneglycol, alginic acid, low viscosity alginic acid, sodium alginate, modified starch, casein, whey protein extract, soy protein extract, zein, levan, elsinan, gluten, acacia gum, carageenan, Arabic gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, xanthan gum, gellan gum and agar.

10. The soluble oral film dosage according to claim 9 , wherein the water-soluble polymer is at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of pullulan, gelatin, low viscosity pectin, low viscosity alginic acid and low viscosity hydroxylpropylmethyl cellulose.

11. The soluble oral film dosage according to claim 7 , wherein the active pharmaceutical ingredient is at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of diabetic remedy; insomnia remedy; genito-urinary remedy; obesity remedy; enzyme; gastric ulcer remedy; cough remedy and expectorant; dermal disorder remedy; antinausea drug; antidepression drug; antihistamine drug; antipyretic, analgesic and antiinflammatory drug; hormone drug; circulatory organ remedy; gastrointestinal remedy; psychoneurotic drug; impotency remedy; osteoporosis remedy; arthritis remedy; epilepsy remedy; muscle relaxing agent; cerebral function enhancer; schizophrenia remedy; immuno-suppression agent; antibiotic agent; anticancer agent; Supportives in tumor therapy; vaccine; oral cleanser; anemia remedy; constipation remedy; vitamin; nutrient; probiotic preparation; multi-symptom cold/influenza medications; and health functional foods.

12. The soluble oral film dosage according to claim 7 , wherein the active pharmaceutical ingredient is at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of triclosan, cetylpyridium chloride, domiphen bromide, quaternary ammonium salt, zinc compounds, sanguinarine, fluoride, alexidine, octenidine, EDTA, aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, diflunisal, fenoprofen calcium, naproxen, tolmetin sodium, indomethacin, benzonatate, caramiphen, edisylate, menthol, dextromethorphan hydrobromide, chlophedianol hydrochloride, diphenhydramine, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, pseudoephedrine sulfate, bromophenylamine maleate, chlorophenylamine maleate, carbinoxamine maleate, clemastine fumarate, dexchlorpheniramine maleate, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, diphenhydramine citrate, diphenylpyraline hydrochloride, doxylamine succinate, promethazine hydrochloride, pyrilamine maleate, tripelennamine citrate, triprolidine hydrochloride, acrivastine, loratadine, brompheniramine, dexbrompheniramine, guaifenesin, ipecac, calcium iodide, terpine hydrate, loperamide, famotidine, ranitidine, omeprazole, lansoprazole, aliphatic alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, strychnine, picrotoxin, pentylenetetrazol, phenylhydantoin, phenobarbital, primidone, carbamazepine, ethosuximide, methosuximide, phensuximide, trimethadione, diazepam, benzodiazepine, phenacemide, pheneturide, acetazolamide and sulthiame, bromide levodopa, amantadine, morphine, heroin, hydromorphone, methophone, oxymorphone, levorphanol, codeine, hydrocodone, xycodone, nalorphine, naloxone, naltrexone, salicylate, phenylbutazone, indomethacin, phenacetin, chloropromazine, methotrimeprazine, haloperidol, clozapine, reserpine, imipramine, tranylcypromine, phenelzine, lithium, apomorphine, sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, ondansetron, donepezil, zolpidem tartrate, granisetron, montelukast, pholcodine, butylscopolamine, fentanyl citrate, oxycodone hydrochloride, buprenorphine hydrochloride, escitalopram oxalate, rivastigmine tartrate, esomeprazole magnesium, aripiprazole, zolmitriptan, rizatriptan benzoate, telmisartan, risperidone, benzocaine, cetirizine hydrochloride, bambuterol hydrochloride, galantamine hydrobromide, lercanidipine hydrochloride, paroxetine hydrochloride, meloxicam, tolterodine tartrate, doxazosin mesylate, and pharmaceutically available salts thereof.

13. The soluble oral film dosage according to claim 7 , wherein the soluble oral film dosage further comprises at least one additive.

14. The soluble oral film dosage according to claim 13 , wherein the additive comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a filler, a plasticizer, a secondary sweetening agent, an acidic agent, a flavor, an emulsifier, a pigment, and a cooling agent.

15. The soluble oral film dosage according to claim 14 , wherein the filler is at least one selected from the group consisting of microcrystalline cellulose, cellulose polymer, magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate, limestone powder, silicate, clay, talc, titanium dioxide and calcium phosphate.

16. The soluble oral film dosage according to claim 14 , wherein the plasticizer is at least one selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, maltitol, xylitol, glycerin, polyethyleneglycol, propyleneglycol, hydrogenated starch syrup, starch syrup, triacetin, glycerol oleate, sucrose fatty acid ester and double chain fatty acid.

17. The soluble oral film dosage according to claim 14 , wherein the secondary sweetening agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of sugar, glucose, maltose, oligosaccharides dextrin, alpha cyclodextrin, beta cyclodextrin, gamma cyclodextrin, hydroxypropyl beta cyclodextrin, methyl beta cyclodextrin, cluster dextrin, indigestible dextrin, hydrogenated indigestible dextrin, invert sugar, fructose, lactose, galactose, starch syrup, sorbitol, maltitol, xylitol, erythritol, hydrogenated starch syrup, mannitol and trehalose.

18. The soluble oral film dosage according to claim 14 , wherein the acidic agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of citric acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, ascorbic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid and lactic acid.

19. The soluble oral film dosage according to claim 14 , wherein the flavor is a natural flavor, an artificial flavor or a mixture thereof.

20. The soluble oral film dosage according to claim 14 , wherein the emulsifier is at least one selected from the group consisting of glycerin fatty acid ester, sucrose fatty acid ester, lecithin, enzyme treated lecithin, polysorbate, sorbitan fatty acid ester and propyleneglycol.

21. The soluble oral film dosage according to claim 7 , wherein said at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient is ondansetron hydrochloride.

22. The soluble oral film dosage according to claim 7 , wherein said at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient is montelukast sodium.

23. The soluble oral film dosage according to claim 7 , wherein said at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient is sildenafil citrate.

24. The soluble oral film dosage according to claim 7 , wherein said at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient is ondansetron hydrochloride; and

wherein said soluble oral film dosage is bioequivalent to a commercially available tablet containing ondansetron hydrochloride.

25. The soluble oral film dosage according to claim 7 , wherein said at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient is montelukast sodium; and

wherein said soluble oral film dosage is bioequivalent to a commercially available chewable tablet containing montelukast sodium.

26. The soluble oral film dosage according to claim 7 , wherein said at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient is sildenafil citrate; and

wherein said soluble oral film dosage is bioequivalent to a commercially available tablet containing sildenafil citrate.

27. A soluble oral film dosage, comprising:

at least one water-soluble polymer;

at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient;

an aftertaste enhancer comprising a stevioside based sweetener; and

at least one taste masking agent comprising a primary sweetening agent;

wherein the primary sweetening agent is selected from the group consisting of neotame, sucralose, acesulfame-potassium, aspartame, licorice extract, monellin, or a mixture thereof;

wherein the soluble oral film dosage contains 0.1 to 10 wt. % of the stevioside based sweetener; and

wherein the stevioside based sweetener and the primary sweetening agent are in a relative ratio by weight (w/w) of 1:3 to 3:1, wherein a bitter and/or nasty taste is masked after one minute of dissolving the film in an oral cavity.