Abstract

FLOATING DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM: A REVIEW

Rohit D. Jondhale, *Pallavi S. Gadhave, Ashish A. Mahajan, Mohini S. Bodhane

ABSTRACT

In recent years scientific and technological advancements have been made in the research and development of rate-controlled oral drug delivery systems by overcoming physiological adversities, such as short gastric residence times (GRT) and unpredictable gastric emptying times (GET). Systems which are retained in the stomach for a longer period of time and thereby improve the bioavailability of drugs. Several approaches are currently utilized in the prolongation of the GRT, including floating drug delivery systems (FDDS), also known as hydrodynamically balanced systems (HBS), swelling and expanding systems, polymeric bioadhesive systems, modified-shape systems, high-density systems, and other delayed gastric emptying devices. The recent developments of FDDS including the physiological and formulation variables affecting gastric retention, approaches to design single-unit and multiple-unit floating systems, and their classification and formulation aspects are covered in detail. This review also summarizes the studies to evaluate the performance and application of floating systems, and applications of these systems. In this review, the current technological developments of FDDS including patented delivery systems and marketed products, and their advantages and future potential for oral controlled drug delivery are discussed.

Keywords: Gastroretentive system, Intragastric floating systems; Hydrodynamically balanced systems, evaluation, scintigraphy.