Design and optimization of mucoadhesive chitosan microspheres for oesophageal delivery of fluconazole

Background

Oesophageal candidiasis remains challenging to treat owing to rapid transit of conventional oral formulations through the oesophagus, resulting in inadequate local drug delivery and reduced therapeutic efficacy. To address these limitations, the present study aimed to develop fluconazole-loaded chitosan microspheres (FCZ-CMs)-based orodispersible tablets (ODTs) that rapidly disintegrate in the oral cavity while releasing mucoadhesive microspheres capable of adhering to oesophageal mucosa, enabling sustained localized drug delivery.