Abstract

There are many ways to deliver drugs into the body, viz oral (through swallowing), sub mucosal (through buccal and sublingual mucosa), parenteral (through injection), transdermal (through skin), pulmonary (through inhalation) etc. Among these deliveries oral delivery (by swallowing) is widely accepted. In oral drug delivery, many scientific challenges and breakthrough technologies are required to generate novel dosage forms raising drug delivery to higher level. Some are self emulsifying systems, solid self nanoemulsion, polymeric micelles, spray freezing, pH controlled systems, time delayed system, osmotic pumps, prodrugs etc. This paper reviews recent patents, technologies and products with their importance, manufacturing and novel approaches implemented till date to overcome the challenges in oral drug delivery systems.

Keywords: Orally disintegrating tablets, controlled drug delivery, gastroretentive formulation, colon targeting, osmotic pumps, prodrugs, nanoemulsion, microemulsion