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Development of Sedative Dexmedetomidine Sublingual In Situ Gels: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluations

Research Authors
Ayat A. Allam , Nermin E. Eleraky , Nadeen H. Diab, Mahmoud Elsabahy , Sahar A. Mohamed , Hala S. Abdel-Ghaffar , Nivin A. Hassan , Samia A. Shouman, Mervat M. Omran, Sahar B. Hassan and Noura G. Eissa
Research Date
Research Year
2022
Research Journal
Pharmaceutics
Research Publisher
MDPI
Research Vol
14 (2)
Research Rank
International
Research_Pages
220
Research Abstract

Intravenous dexmedetomidine (DEX) is currently approved by the FDA for the sedation of intubated patients in intensive care units to reduce anxiety and to augment postoperative analgesia. Bradycardia and hypotension are limitations associated with the intravenous administration of DEX. In this study, DEX sublingual in situ gels were developed and assessed for their pH, gelling capacity, viscosity, mucoadhesion and in vitro drug release. The optimized gelling system demonstrated enhanced mucoadhesion, superior gelling capacity, reasonable pH and optimal rheological profile. In vivo, compared to the oral solution, the optimal sublingual gel resulted in a significant higher rate and extent of bioavailability. Although the in situ gel had comparable plasma levels to those observed following intravenous administration, significant amelioration of the systemic adverse reactions were attained. As demonstrated by the hot plate method, a sustained duration of analgesia in rats was observed after sublingual administration of DEX gel compared to the intravenously administered DEX solution. Furthermore, no changes in systolic blood pressure and heart rate were recorded in rats and rabbits, respectively, after sublingual administration of DEX. Sublingual administration of DEX in situ gel provides a promising approach for analgesia and sedation, while circumventing the reported adverse reactions associated with intravenous administration of DEX.