Self-supporting films for pharmaceutical and food use

1. A rapidly dissolving self-supporting and edible film, comprising:

a. between 40 and 80% by weight based on the total weight of said film, of a maltodextrin,

b. between 15 and 55% by weight based on the total weight of said film, of a plasticizer, and

c. between 0.05% and 30% by weight based on the total weight of said film, of an active ingredient for food or pharmaceutical use,

wherein said film is self-supporting, is free from hydrocolloids and has a dissolution time of less than 1 minute.

2. The rapidly dissolving self-supporting and edible film according to claim 1 , wherein said in vivo dissolution time is less than 45 seconds.

3. The rapidly dissolving self-supporting and edible film as claim in claim 1 , wherein said dissolution time is less than 15 seconds.

4. The rapidly self-supporting and edible film as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the maltodextrin (a) has a dextrose content of less than 50 expressed in equivalents.

5. The rapidly self-supporting and edible film as claimed in claim 4 , wherein said dextrose content is between 11 and 40.

6. The rapidly self-supporting and edible film as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of polyalcohols, citric esters, sebacic acid esters and mixtures thereof.

7. The rapidly dissolving self-supporting and edible film as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerine, sorbitol, maltitol, and mixtures thereof.

8. The rapidly dissolving self-supporting and edible film as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the active ingredient has a breath freshening action and/or is indicated for oral hygiene or is an active ingredient suitable for nutritional supplementation.

9. The rapidly dissolving self-supporting and edible film as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said active ingredient with a breath freshening action is menthol or eugenol.

10. The rapidly dissolving self-supporting and edible film as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said active ingredient for nutritional supplementation is selected from the group consisting of mineral salts, and vitamins.

11. The rapidly dissolving self-supporting and edible film as claimed in claim 10 , wherein said vitamin is ascorbic acid.

12. The rapidly dissolving self-supporting and edible film as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said active ingredient has essentially topic activity.

13. The rapidly dissolving self-supporting and edible film as claimed in claim 12 , wherein said active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of antibacterial agents, antimycotic agents, antiviral agents and disinfectants of the oral cavity.

14. The rapidly dissolving self-supporting and edible film as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the active ingredient has systemic activity.

15. The rapidly dissolving self-supporting and edible film as claimed in claim 14 , wherein said active ingredient having systemic activity is selected from the group consisting of anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipsychotic, hypnotic, anxiolytic, antihypertensive, myorelaxant, antimigraine, antiparkinsonian, antiemetic, antihistaminic, betablocking and antiasthmatic agents.

16. The rapidly dissolving self-supporting and edible film as claimed in claim 15 , wherein said active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of Piroxicam, Ketoprofen, Diclofenac, Tramadol, Morphine, Nifedipine, Diazepam, Lorazepam, Alprazolam, Bromazepan, Triazolam, Lormetazepam, Zolpiderm, Paracetamol, Selegiline, Atenolol, Salbutamol, Sumatripan, Clozapine, Cetirizine, Ondasetron, Fentanyl, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

17. The rapidly dissolving self-supporting and edible film as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising other excipients selected from the group consisting of anticaking agents, antisticking agents, sweeteners, flavouring agents, colouring agents, preservatives, acidity regulating systems, and mixtures thereof.

18. A process for preparing the rapidly dissolving self-supporting and edible film as claimed in claim 1 , comprising the following steps:

a. mixing the maltodextrin, plasticizer and active ingredient for food or pharmaceutical use obtaining a mixture thereof; and

b. extruding the mixture.

19. The process as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the extrusion step is carried out at a temperature between 60° C. and 120° C.

20. The process as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the extrusion step is conducted in a single screw extruder.

21. A process for preparing the rapidly dissolving self-supporting and edible film as claimed in claim 1 , comprising the following steps:

a. dispersing the maltodextrin, plasticizer and the active ingredient in a polar solvent at a temperature between 60° C. and 105° C., obtaining a mixture thereof;

b. rolling the mixture obtained in the preceding step onto a silicone paper and drying it to form a film, and

c. removing the silicone paper from the film obtained.

22. The process as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the polar solvent used in step (a) is selected from the group consisting of water, a water miscible solvent, and mixtures thereof.

23. The process as claimed in claim 21 , wherein said solvent consists of water or a water-ethanol mixture.

24. The process as claimed in claim 23 , wherein the temperature of steps (a) and (b) is between 60° C. and 105° C.