Fast Dissolving Tablets: A Review

Fast Dissolving Tablets: A Review

Author Name : Anirudh Upadhyay, Hardik Kolte, Suparna Bakhle, Kanchan Upadhye, Gouri Dixit

INTRODUCTION (1)(2)(3)

Patient adherence is a critical component of pharmacy practice. Recently, pharmaceutical companies have been developing new drug delivery systems to improve drug efficacy and minimize side effects for patients. Solid dosage forms such as tablets and capsules are popular due to their ease of administration, accurate dosing, self-medication, and pain relief. However, some patients have difficulty swallowing these dosage forms, especially in situations where water is not readily available, such as during motion sickness or sudden episodes of coughing. To address this issue, fast-dissolving tablets (FDTs) have emerged as a promising solution. FDTs dissolve or disintegrate rapidly in the mouth without the need for water or chewing, allowing for quick drug absorption and onset of clinical effects. Orodispersible tablets, which are placed in the mouth and rapidly disperse before swallowing, have gained significant attention in the pharmaceutical industry. FDTs not only benefit patients with swallowing difficulties, but also those who prefer a more convenient drug delivery method. FDTs with pleasant taste and flavor are particularly useful in increasing the acceptability of bitter drugs. Pharmaceutical industries invest significant resources into developing palatable and pleasant-tasting products to improve patient compliance, especially among infants, children, and the elderly. FDTs offer several advantages over other dosage forms such as effervescent tablets, dry syrups, and chewing gums/tablets, which may require water intake or cause taste masking coat rupture during mastication. To minimize the bitterness of drugs, various techniques such as flavors, sweeteners, amino acids, lipophilic vehicles, coating, inclusion complexation, ion exchange, and effervescent agents are used. Developing oral drug delivery systems that are palatable and effective remains a challenge, but technological advancements continue to improve patient compliance and satisfaction.