Rheumatoid Arthritis: Treatment by Film Forming Gels

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto immune disease in which joint inflammation, synovial proliferation and destruction of articular cartilage. Gels are most commonly used dosage forms. Topical preparations are generally used for the treatment of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis disease. Gels provide certain advantages over oral route, which may lead to peptic ulcers in excessive usage of NSAIDS in tablet dosage form. Gels can be easily wiped off due to clothes on joints and films may provide dryness and irritation after prolonged usage due to adhesive in it. Thus, there is a need to develop novel drug delivery systems for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, which is available in gel form but when applied on skin surface transforms into film. These film forming gels are novel approach helpful in providing sustained release with increased residence time, therapeutic effect and patient comfortability.