MediChew® – Medicated Chewing Gum

Chewing gum is an excellent drug delivery system for self-medication. Furthermore, chewing gum is convenient as it is easily transportable, can be administered discretely and without water.

Historically, chewing gum was mainly considered a confectionery product, despite the fact that the first medicated chewing gum, Aspergum, was launched in 1928. This chewing gum is still available and contains the analgesic compound acetylsalicylic acid known from Aspirin tablets. However, fluoride chewing gum and especially nicotine chewing gum for smoking cessation, which was launched in the 1970s, paved the way for more general acceptance of chewing gum as a drug delivery system. Inclusion of medicated chewing gum in the European Pharmacopoeia in 1998 has further contributed to full acceptance. Medicated chewing gum meets the high quality standards of the pharmaceutical industry and can be formulated to obtain different release profiles of active substances, thus enabling targeting of distinct patient groups.

Today, there is a trend towards higher patient involvement in drug administration and handling – thus, the demand for efficient and convenient drug delivery systems continues to grow and chewing gum clearly meets this need, allowing easy self-administration and it does not prevent patients from living an active life. It is obvious that chewing gum as a drug delivery system offers several advantages, including fast onset of action, buccal absorption which bypasses hepatic first pass metabolism, possibly lower dosage and fewer side effects than observed with tablets, and less degradation of acid and enzyme labile active substances in the stomach and intestine. Furthermore, relief of xerostomia ("dry mouth") due to increased salivary secretion may be obtained, as well as efficient local treatment or prevention of diseases in the oral cavity and the throat. An improved controlled release of active substances is achievable, especially compared to lozenges.

The MediChew® Trademark and Technology

MediChew® is Fertin Pharma’s trademark for medical chewing gum. It protects our know how and expertise within optimal chewing gum formulation and texture, controlled release of active substances, fully documented release rate testing and taste masking. 
Click here to read about the MediChew® trademark.

The patented MediChew® technology is the platform for our unique two layer medical gum tablets. One layer is a chewable or fast dissolving tablet layer, and the other layer is a gum tablet. The API can be placed in the chewable / fast dissolving layer to obtain fast release or in the gum layer. 

Click here to read about the MediChew® technology.

Interested in learning more about MediChew®?

Please call Ken Noguchi, Director Business Development
P. +45 72 15 1318
E. keno@fertin.com