Novel Fast Dissolving/Disintegrating Dosage Forms

Fast disintegrating tablets (FDTs) were initially developed for immediate drug delivery, quicker onset of action and as age appropriate dosage form for special populations like geriatrics, paediatrics, psychotics, etc. Their quick dissolution/ disintegration in the oral cavity has made them suitable for incorporating microparticles/pellets for developing controlled drug delivery systems. Furthermore, advancement in manufacturing technologies and dosage forms have led to the introduction of newer dosage forms like oral disintegrating mini tablets (ODMTs), fast disintegrating capsules (FDCs), fast disintegrating pellets (FDPs) and orodispersible or to dissolve in oral powders. ODMTs are small size (2-3 mm in diameter) tablets prepared with characteristics of faster dissolution/disintegration. ODMTs have been found suitable and well acceptable in children. Perforation and vacuum drying methods have been used to convert traditional capsules into FDCs to overcome disadvantages of other FDDFs like expensive manufacturing, low payload, lengthy processes and insufficient masking of undesirable taste. Extrusion spheronisation and spray coating of drug with suitable excipients can led to FDPs, while orodispersible/effervescent powders can be filled in a unit dose packing. This chapter details about these novel FDDFs vis a vis to some novel advancements in their compositions.

Keywords: Capsules, Controlled release, Drug targeting, Granules, Mini tablets, Oral disintegration, Pellets, Powders.