Title:New Generation of Orally Disintegrating Tablets for Sustained Drug Release: A Propitious Outlook
VOLUME: 12 ISSUE: 6
Author(s):Arwa Matoug Elwerfalli, Zabir Ghanchi, Fatema Rashid, Raid G. Alany and Amr ElShaer
Affiliation:Drug Discovery, Delivery and Patient Care (DDDPC), School of Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University London, Penrhyn Road, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey, KT1 2EE, UK.
Keywords:Encapsulation, ion-exchange resin, market contribution, nanoparticles, ODTs, sustained release.
Abstract:Orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) or orodispersible tablets are solid dosage forms that
disintegrate within 3 minutes in the mouth into a paste that can be easily swallowed. ODTs have improved
over the past years, in an attempt to produce a safe and efficient substitute to the conventional
oral dosage forms, particularly for dysphagia patients. Since its introduction in the market in the 1980s,
ODTs expanded rapidly and achieved revenues over $3 billion in 2006 and sustaining 20% annual
growth. It is therefore evident that ODTs carry good commercial value, however there is potential for
improvement. Current sustained-release technologies may be exploited and incorporated into an ODT to provide greater
therapeutic value by reducing the need for multiple daily dosing regimens and improving patient adherence. A number of
technologies such as polymer coated nanoparticles, stimuli-responsive polymers and ion-exchange resins have emerged to
produce robust, sustained release orally disintegrating tablets (SR-ODT). The purpose of this review is to highlight these
various approaches and techniques and how they have been utilised in an ODT formulation to extend differentiated line,
market exclusivity and patent life. The review also explores future perspective and the potential challenges that SR-ODTs
will face.
