Fast Dissolving Tablets – a Novel Approach in Drug Delivery

Abstract

Oral drug delivery, the most preferred route of administration for various drugs has limitations like first- pass metabolism, swallowing problems in paediatric/geriatric patients, and uncooperative patients. This prompted development of fast dissolving tablets resulting in improved patient compliance, convenience of administration and improved bioavailability. Fast dissolving tablets, when put on tongue, disintegrate or dissolve instantaneously, releasing the drug within a few seconds (<60 s) without the need of water. The active ingredients can be absorbed directly through oral mucosa into the systemic circulation bypassing the first pass metabolism. Hence, quicker onset of action, reduction in dosage and frequency, avoidance of gut wall and hepatic metabolism, and increase in bioavailability are eminent. On account of these specific advantages, fast dissolving tablets have a niche market for patients who are dysphagic, itinerant, bed ridden, geriatric and paediatric. This review presents panoramic view of the ideal requirements, need for development, challenges in formulation, suitability of drug candidates, various superdisintegrants employed, various technologies involved, advantages, disadvantages, and evaluation parameters of fast dissolving tablets.