Novel concept for a mucosal adhesive ointment.

Conventional adhesive ointments cause irritation to the mucous membranes. Therefore, a novel mucosal adhesive ointment based partly on neutralized polymethacrylic acid methyl ester was formulated. The flow curves of the ointment vehicle showed pseudoplastic properties. The rheological behavior as well as the adhesion on the mucosal membrane could be varied by the type and concentration of the polymer used and the base used for neutralization. During clinical studies, the ointment vehicle as well as a tretinoin (vitamin A acid) preparation for the treatment of lichen planus did not cause any local irritation or systemic side effects. Both vehicle and preparation were found to be pleasant for the patients to use. The new system of the mucosal adhesive ointment is not limited to the incorporation of tretinoin as the active agent; combined with other drugs the system could be applied to all types of mucosal membranes.