Oral strip—also called **oral thin film (OTF/ODF)**—is a single-dose film that disintegrates in the mouth or delivers actives via sublingual/buccal absorption. A small sheet is placed in the mouth and typically dissolves within 30–60 seconds, making it suitable for children, older adults, people with dysphagia, and any scenario requiring rapid onset.

1) Mechanisms & Types

• Orodispersible (on-tongue) films: Disperse quickly in saliva and are mainly absorbed via the GI tract.
• Sublingual/Buccal films: Drug permeates oral mucosa, partly bypassing first-pass metabolism for faster onset (depends on molecule and permeation enhancers).
• Local-action films: Release actives locally in the oral/pharyngeal area (e.g., breath-care, oral care, topical analgesia/anesthesia).

2) Advantages & Limitations

Advantages

• Convenient, water-free administration;
• Fast onset (especially sublingual/buccal routes);
• Accurate dose per strip with good adherence;
• Child-friendly flavors; sugar-free options;
• Amenable to continuous manufacturing and track-and-trace.

Limitations

• Limited loading per strip (typically ≤30–50 mg actives; high-potency APIs are a better fit);
• Highly sensitive to taste/bitterness and salivary stimulation;
• Moisture/oxygen sensitivity may require high-barrier packaging and tight humidity control.