Comprehensive review on characterizations and application of gastro-retentive floating drug delivery system

Abstract

Current pharmaceutical situation focuses on the preparation of gastro-retentive floating drug delivery system (GRFDDS). This systems has gained noteworthy interest in the past decades. These are the low density systems that float over the gastric contents and remain buoyant in the stomach for a prolonged period of time without affecting the gastric emptying rate. GRFDDS is used to delay the residence time of delivery in stomach. The controlled gastric retention of solid dosage forms may be achieved by the mechanism of mucoadhesion, floatation, sedimentation, expansion, modified shape systems or by the administration of pharmacological agents that delaying gastric emptying. This results in targeting of release of drug at a specific site for the systemic or local effects. GRDDS is used to overcome challenges associated with conventional oral dosage forms and to release the drug at a specific absorption site to improve bioavailability of particular drug substance. Some floating drug delivery systems have shown the capability to accommodate these variations without affecting drug release. This review mainly focuses characterizations and application of gastro-retentive floating drug delivery systems.