the maltodextrin used in the self - supporting film of the present invention has a dextrose content of less than 50 equivalents , preferably between 11 and 40 . the plasticiser used in the self - supporting films of the present invention is preferably chosen from the group consisting of polyalcohols , citric acid esters , sebacic acid esters or their mixtures . propylene glycol , glycerine , sorbitol , maltitol or their relative mixtures are particularly preferred . the active principle for food use is preferably an active principle with a refreshing action on the breath and indicated for oral hygiene , preferably eugenol and menthol or an active principle suitable for nutritional supplementation , preferably mineral salts chosen from those normally used for such purposes or one or more vitamins , the vitamin being ascorbic acid in a particularly preferred embodiment . the active principle for therapeutic use can be a principle with an essentially topical activity for the oral cavity chosen from antibacterial , antimycotic , antiviral agents or disinfectants of the oral cavity , or can be an active principle with an essentially systemic action chosen from the class consisting of anti - inflammatory , analgesic , antipsychotic , hypnotic , anxiolytic , antihypertensive , myorelaxant , antimigraine , antiparkinsonian , antiemetic , antihistaminic , beta blocking and antiasthmatic agents . the active principles contained in said films are preferably chosen from the class consisting of : piroxicam , ketoprofen , sodium diclofenac , tramadol hydrochloride , morphine , nifedipine , diazepam , lorazepam , alprazolam , bromazepam , triazolam , lormetazepam , zolpidem , paracetamol , selegiline , atenolol , salbutamol , sumatriptan , clozapine , cetirizine , ondansetron , fentanyl and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts . the self - supporting films of the present invention contain maltodextrin in concentrations preferably between 40 and 80 % by weight , plasticiser in concentrations between 15 and 55 % by weight and active principle for food or pharmaceutical use in quantities between 0 . 05 and 30 % by weight on the total weight of said film , and can possibly contain other excipients chosen from antisticking agents such as microcrystalline cellulose , colloidal silica or talc , sweeteners , flavouring , colouring agents , preservatives , acidity regulating systems or mixtures thereof . in the process for preparing edible self - supporting films by extrusion , a further aspect of the present invention , the extrusion step ( ii ) is preferably conducted at a temperature between 60 and 120 ° c . in a single screw extruder . in the second preparation process , a further aspect of the present invention , the polar solvent used in step ( i ) is preferably chosen from water , water - miscible solvents or relative mixtures . in accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment the solvent consists of water or a mixture of water and ethanol . the temperature of said step , when a mixture of the aforesaid solvents are used , is preferably between 60 and 105 ° c . the self - supporting films of the present invention can be prepared using other methods such as by compacting the filmogenic formulation by the ultrasound technique . some examples of formulations for the self - supporting films of the present invention , some processes for preparing said self - supporting films , as well as in vitro and in vivo disintegration tests conducted on films obtained with some of the illustrated formulations are given by way of non limiting examples . the components of the formulations given in table 1 of fig1 are mixed and extruded with a single screw extruder at a temperature of 105 ° c . the test was undertaken in accordance with the method in the european pharmacopoeia 5 . 01 ed ., 2 . 9 . 1 . disintegration of tablets and capsules ( 01 / 2005 : 20901 ) purified water maintained at 37 ° c . was used as the medium . the result is the average of 3 determinations ± standard deviation . three 4 cm 2 samples of the formulation under examination were administered to 6 healthy volunteers . the test consists of retaining the film sample in the mouth , and determining the time needed to sense its disappearance . the test was conducted on formulations no . 2 , 5 , 17 ( table 1 ). the component of the formulations given in table 2 of fig2 are dispersed in the mixture of solvents , given in the same table , and maintained at 80 ° c . the mixture , maintained at the same temperature , is rolled onto silicon paper and dried . the test was undertaken in accordance with the method in the european pharmacopoeia 5 . 01 ed ., 2 . 9 . 1 . disintegration of tablets and capsules ( 01 / 2005 : 20901 ) purified water maintained at 37 ° c . was used as the medium . the result is the average of 3 determinations ± standard deviation . a 4 cm 2 sample of the formulation under examination was administered to each of 6 healthy volunteers . the test consists of retaining the film sample in the mouth , and determining the time needed to sense its disappearance . the test was conducted on formulations no . 3 , 6 , 13 ( table 1 ). the object of this pilot study was to evaluate the absorption and pharmacokietic profile after a single administration of 50 mg paracetamol carried by formula 6 ( table 2 ) and by a commercial syrup containing paracetamol ( tachipirina syrup ) in 3 healthy volunteers aged between 23 and 24 years . the experiment was conducted as a crossover with a 15 day wash - out period . with the aim of evaluating the pharmacokinetic profiles of the two formulations , saliva and blood samples were taken before application and at 10 min , 20 min , 45 min , 1 h , 2 h , 3 h , 4 h , 6 h after administration . paracetamol was determined in the saliva . the salivary concentrations of paracetamol determined in saliva after administration of the syrup and of the rapidly disintegrating film overlap completely as shown in fig3 . the components , with the exception of the microcrystalline cellulose , were mixed into a sigma blade mixer ; the time of mixing was 1 hour for formulation b and 30 minutes for formulation a , c and d . the mixture was transferred in an oscillating granulator and microcrystalline cellulose was added as antisticking agent . the granules are stored for at least 12 hours at ambient temperature and then sieved . the granules were extruded with a single screw extruder . the extruder temperatures were set in the range 85 - 130 ° c . the test was undertaken in accordance with the method in the european pharmacopoeia 5 . 01 ed ., 2 . 9 . 1 . disintegration of tablets and capsules ( 01 / 2005 : 20901 ) purified water maintained at 37 ° c . was used as the medium . the results were the average of 3 determinations ± standard deviation . the disintegration times were less of 45 sec for all the formulations . three 4 cm 2 samples of the formulation a were administered to 6 healthy volunteers . the test consists of retaining the film sample in the mouth , and determining the time needed to sense its disappearance . in each case dissolution time was less than 15 sec .
rapidly dissolving self - supporting films for food or pharmaceutical use comprising : a ) a filmogenic substance consisting of a maltodextrin ; b ) a plasticizer ; c ) an active principle for food or pharmaceutical use , characterized in that said films are free of hydrocolloids .