Fast Dissolving Tablets: A Review

Abstract

In the pharmaceutical Industry oral route is considered as the safest and convenient route. Fast dissolving tablets (FDTs) are solid dosage forms containing drugs that disintegrate in the oral cavity within less than 1 minute leaving an easy to swallow residue. These dosage forms include superdisintegrants which impart quick disintegration with existence of saliva and can be swallowed without difficulty. Fast dissolving tablets are the very good preference for the paediatric as well as geriatric patients. To improve the bioavailability of many drugs, fast dissolving drug delivery systems are used widely. Sophisticated technologies used for manufacturing fast dissolving tablets are by direct compression method, freeze drying method, sublimation method, mass extrusion and cotton candy process. Taste is the vital factor since these tablets disintegrate directly in the mouth. FDTs are evaluated by various parameters such as hardness test, friability test, water absorption ratio, wetting time, disintegration test and dissolution test. These tablets are also well-known as mouth dissolving tablets and orodispersible tablets. This review article will emphasize on ideal properties, challenges, advantages, disadvantages, conventional techniques, patented technologies and evaluation of orodispersible tablets.