FLOATING DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM: A REVIEW

Abstract

The recent scientific and patented literature concluded that an increased interest in novel dosage forms which retained in the stomach for prolong and predictable period of time has been shown. Various technological attempts have been made in the research and development of rate-controlled oral drug delivery systems to overcome physiological diversities, as short gastric residence times and unpredictable gastric emptying times using gastro retentive drug delivery system. It is a well known fact that differences in gastric physiology, such as, gastric pH and motility exhibit both intra as well as inter-subject variability demonstrating significant impact on gastric retention time and drug delivery behavior. Various attempts have been made to develop Gastro retentive delivery systems. Several approaches are currently utilized in the prolongation of the GRT, including floating drug delivery systems, swelling and expanding systems, polymeric bio adhesive systems, high-density systems, modified-shape systems and other delayed gastric emptying devices. Floating dosage forms are emerging as a promising dosage forms. Floating dosage form can be prepared as tablets, capsules by adding suitable ingredients as well as by adding gas generating agent. In this review various techniques used in floating dosage forms along with current & recent developments of stomach specific floating drug delivery system for gastro retention are discussed.