Dissolvable adhesive films for delivery of pharmaceutical or cosmetic agents

A method for delivering a pharmaceutically or cosmetically active agent to a surface of a human or animal body, comprising:

• providing a dissolvable film comprising:
• a first water soluble polymer in an amount of from 2 to 35 weight percent comprising at least one hydroxypropyl methylcellulose polymer having a molecular weight of about 30,000 daltons;
• a second water soluble polymer in an amount of from 2 to 35 weight percent comprising at least one hydroxypropyl methylcellulose polymer having a molecular weight of about 90,000 daltons
• at least one pharmaceutically or cosmetically active agent;
• at least one hydroxypropyl cellulose having a molecular weight of about 140,000 daltons;
• at least one starch component;
• at least one polysaccharide component;
• and
• at least one of a plasticizer, humectant or a combination thereof,
• wherein the film is essentially free of surfactant, and the first and second water soluble polymers are present in relative amounts such that the film disintegrates to release the active ingredient after contact with or exposure to a moist body surface;
• and
• applying the dissolvable film to adhere to the body surface for a sufficient time for the film to release the active agent.