Floating drug delivery systems - a review

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Journal name: World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Original article title: Floating drug delivery systems - a review
The WJPR includes peer-reviewed publications such as scientific research papers, reports, review articles, company news, thesis reports and case studies in areas of Biology, Pharmaceutical industries and Chemical technology while incorporating ancient fields of knowledge such combining Ayurveda with scientific data.
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Original source:

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Author:

P SS Prasanna Kumar, T. Anjali, Srinivas Nandyala, K. Sravani, P. Ratnam, P. Durgadevi, A. Umadevi, K. D. Sai Kumar and G. S. Manikanta


World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research:

(An ISO 9001:2015 Certified International Journal)

Full text available for: Floating drug delivery systems - a review

Source type: An International Peer Reviewed Journal for Pharmaceutical and Medical and Scientific Research

Doi: 10.20959/wjpr20235-27554


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Summary of article contents:

Introduction

Floating drug delivery systems (FDDS) are innovative pharmaceutical formulations designed to improve the bioavailability and therapeutic effects of drugs with shorter biological half-lives. By utilizing the principle of buoyancy, FDDS can remain suspended in the gastric fluid for extended periods, ensuring a sustained release of the active pharmaceutical ingredient. This review discusses the advancements in FDDS, including their physicochemical properties, various methodologies for formulation, and the recent technological innovations aimed at overcoming challenges associated with gastric retention time.

Mechanisms of Gastric Retention

The ability of FDDS to float in the gastric environment primarily hinges on their density, which must be less than that of gastric fluids. When ingested, these systems either expand or produce gas within the gastrointestinal tract, enabling them to remain buoyant. Their design accommodates both effervescent systems, which employ gas-generating agents (like sodium bicarbonate), and non-effervescent systems that use hydrophilic polymers to create a gel-like structure. By maintaining a presence in the stomach, FDDS can enhance the absorption of drugs, minimizing the frequency of dosing required and thereby improving patient compliance.

Factors Affecting Gastric Retention

Several factors influence the efficacy of gastric retention for FDDS, including the physical characteristics of the dosage form (such as size, shape, and density), as well as physiological considerations like gastric motility and meal composition. For instance, the optimal size of the dosage form is generally less than 9.55 mm in diameter, and shapes like tetrahedron and ring are found to provide better gastric retention times. Additionally, factors such as the fed or unfed state of the patient, the caloric content of meals, and individual physiological conditions (e.g., age, gender, and health status) significantly impact gastric emptying rates and, consequently, the effectiveness of the floating systems.

Drug Formulation Techniques

Various methodologies are employed in the formulation of FDDS, categorized into single-unit and multiple-unit systems. Single-unit systems are easier to manufacture and are designed based on effervescent or non-effervescent principles, allowing them to achieve sufficient buoyancy on contact with gastric fluids. Multiple-unit systems reduce variability in drug absorption among patients and are created using techniques like emulsion solvent diffusion, ionotropic gelation, and solvent evaporation. These advancements facilitate a more controlled release of the active ingredients, further enhancing the therapeutic potential of the floating dosage forms.

Conclusion

Floating drug delivery systems represent a significant advancement in pharmaceutical technology, particularly for drugs with limited half-lives. Through their ability to remain suspended in the gastric environment, FDDS not only improve the bioavailability of compounds that would otherwise be poorly absorbed but also enhance patient adherence to treatment regimens by reducing dosing frequency. Current research continues to unravel new formulations and sophisticated methodologies to optimize these systems, demonstrating their vital role in modern drug delivery strategies. As such, FDDS offer a promising solution to some of the longstanding challenges faced in enhancing the therapeutic effectiveness of medicinal compounds.

FAQ section (important questions/answers):

What are floating drug delivery systems (FDDS)?

Floating drug delivery systems (FDDS) are specialized systems designed to enhance the gastric retention time of drugs. They primarily operate based on buoyancy principles, allowing medications to float on gastric fluids and prolong their therapeutic effects.

What advantages do floating drug delivery systems offer?

FDDS provide increased bioavailability, reduced dosing frequency, targeted drug delivery, and lower side effects. By maintaining a drug's presence in the stomach longer, they enhance patient compliance and therapeutic outcomes.

What types of floating drug delivery systems exist?

FDDS can be classified into single-unit and multi-unit systems. Single-unit systems include both effervescent and non-effervescent types, while multiple-unit systems include hollow microspheres and effervescent formulations.

How do effervescent and non-effervescent systems differ?

Effervescent systems generate gas through reactions in acidic environments, causing them to float. In contrast, non-effervescent systems rely on swelling polymers that create a gel-like structure, enhancing buoyancy without gas generation.

What factors affect the gastric retention time of FDDS?

Factors include dosage form density, size and shape, feeding state, meal nature, and individual biological aspects like age and gender, all influencing how long the drug remains in the stomach.

What methods are used to prepare floating drug delivery systems?

Common preparation methods include solvent evaporation, ionotropic gelation, and emulsion solvent diffusion. These techniques help create buoyant structures that can effectively release the drug in the gastric environment.

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Floating drug delivery systems - a review”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Drug:
Chemical compounds that interact with biological systems to affect health and are a focal point in pharmaceutical research. The review emphasizes specific types of drugs suitable for floating delivery systems, particularly those with short half-lives that require controlled release mechanisms to enhance their effectiveness and patient compliance.

2) Kumar:
The first author of the study related to floating drug delivery systems, contributing to the research through collaboration with co-authors. In academic literature, the surname identifies the key researcher and adds credibility to the findings. This is significant in establishing authority and expertise in the field.

3) Water:
A crucial solvent in pharmaceutical formulations that aids in drug dissolution and absorption. In floating drug delivery systems, the interaction with water influences the floating behavior and release rates of drugs. Its properties determine how the drug interacts with biological fluids, impacting overall bioavailability.

4) Surface:
Refers to the outer layer or interface of the dosage form that interacts with gastric fluids. The surface characteristics affect the buoyancy, swelling properties, and overall performance of the floating drug delivery system. A well-designed surface can enhance the release of the drug while maintaining the desired therapeutic effect.

5) Swelling:
The process whereby dosage forms absorb liquid and expand, critical for floating drug delivery systems. Swelling influences the drug release rate and the duration the dosage form can remain buoyant in the gastric environment. Controlled swelling can enhance bioavailability by maintaining the drug in the absorption window in the stomach.

6) Nature:
Refers to the inherent characteristics and properties of materials and systems. In the context of this review, it highlights the importance of understanding drug characteristics, formulation methods, and their interactions with biological media to formulate effective floating drug delivery systems that meet therapeutic goals.

7) Medium:
In pharmaceutical research, a medium typically refers to a solution or environment in which drug dissolution and release occur. The choice of medium impacts the efficacy of floating drug delivery systems by affecting solubility, stability, and release kinetics, thereby influencing overall bioavailability and therapeutic action.

8) Prasanna:
The corresponding author of the study who leads the research efforts. Prasanna Kumar's role is critical in coordinating the work of co-authors and providing insights into floating drug delivery systems. This distinction helps in establishing credibility and responsibility for the research findings in academic and scientific communities.

9) Activity:
Refers to the effectiveness of a drug in eliciting a therapeutic response. It is a fundamental characteristic measured in pharmacological studies. The review examines how floating drug delivery systems can enhance drug activity, especially for those with poor bioavailability, thereby leading to improved clinical outcomes.

10) Crushing:
In pharmaceutical terms, crushing strength refers to the ability of a tablet to withstand pressure, impacting its mechanical stability. In floating drug delivery systems, ensuring adequate hardness is essential to prevent disintegration before release in the gastric environment, thereby maintaining intended therapeutic effects.

11) Filling (Filled):
Indicates the process of encapsulating drugs within a dosage form, such as a capsule or a microsphere. In floating drug delivery systems, proper filling is crucial to ensure the drug is adequately delivered and remains buoyant in the gastric fluid, optimizing the release profile and therapeutic efficacy.

12) Study (Studying):
The process of researching and examining a particular subject in-depth. In this review, studying floating drug delivery systems highlights the advancement and methodologies applied to improve drug bioavailability, offering valuable insights for future research and developing enhanced therapeutic options in medicine.

13) Life:
The biological context of the term is crucial in pharmacotherapy, as drugs are often designed to improve the quality of life by treating diseases. Investigating floating drug delivery systems aims to prolong the drug's action and reduce dosing frequency, thus positively impacting patient life quality and compliance.

14) Pharmacotherapy:
The treatment of diseases through the administration of pharmaceutical drugs. This review targets the pharmacotherapeutic applications of floating drug delivery systems, which enhance bioavailability and control drug release to ensure effective treatment regimens, particularly for challenging drug classes with short biological half-lives.

15) Pharmacological:
Relating to the actions of drugs and their effects on biological systems. Understanding pharmacological concepts is essential in designing floating drug delivery systems to optimize drug interaction, bioavailability, and therapeutic outcomes across a range of conditions and patient needs.

16) Transformation (Transform, Transforming):
In the context of drug delivery, transformation can refer to changes in the drug's form or behavior upon administration. The floating drug delivery systems emphasize transforming conventional dosage forms to improve drug release kinetics and gastric retention, ultimately enhancing therapeutic effectiveness.

17) Pharmacology:
The branch of medicine concerned with the study of drug action. It plays a crucial role in understanding drug interactions, mechanisms, and side effects. Insights from pharmacology inform the design of floating drug delivery systems to optimize drug formulation and therapeutic effects.

18) Measurement:
Refers to the quantifying methods used to assess drug properties, stability, and release characteristics in pharmaceutical formulations. Accurate measurement is essential for evaluating the performance of floating drug delivery systems to ensure they meet prescribed pharmacological standards and efficacy.

19) Irritation:
Generally denotes unwanted reactions that can occur due to drug administration. In floating drug delivery systems, potential irritation of the gastric mucosa needs consideration to improve patient compliance and reduce side effects, focusing on formulation design that minimizes adverse effects.

20) Suffering:
Refers to the experience of discomfort or health issues that drugs aim to alleviate. Developing effective floating drug delivery systems serves to combat suffering by ensuring consistent drug release and improved therapeutic outcomes, especially for patients requiring long-term medication for chronic conditions.

21) Shravani (Sravani):
One of the co-authors of the study who contributes to the research on floating drug delivery systems. Sravani's role in the work emphasizes collaboration within a research team, fostering the exchange of ideas and enhancing the quality of the study through diverse expertise.

22) Disease:
A pathological condition that disrupts normal bodily functions. The aim of developing floating drug delivery systems is to create more effective treatments for various diseases by improving the bioavailability of drugs, therefore increasing therapeutic success and patient outcomes in managing chronic and acute conditions.

23) Anjali (Amjali):
Another co-author contributing to this review of floating drug delivery systems. Anjali's involvement signifies the collaborative effort behind the research, enriching the study with diverse insights and expertise in pharmaceutical development and delivery systems that cater to patient needs.

24) Line:
Can refer to a specific range or pathway in drug delivery or the delineation of biochemical processes. In this context, establishing a clear line of action in developing floating drug delivery systems is crucial for understanding their mechanisms, benefits, and potential applications in enhancing drug therapy.

25) Pur:
In reference to the bioavailability of certain drugs, meaning ineffective absorption or therapeutic response. The review discusses how floating drug delivery systems can address poor bioavailability by prolonging drug retention in the stomach, thus optimizing the treatment effectiveness for challenging drug classes.

26) Male:
Specifically refers to the gender that may influence physiological responses to drug therapy. In pharmacology, understanding gender differences, such as gastric retention times, is essential for tailoring floating drug delivery systems to meet the specific needs and responses of male patients compared to female patients.

Other Science Concepts:

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Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Floating drug delivery systems - a review’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:

Posture, Density, In vitro, Controlled release, Physicochemical properties, In vivo, Weight variation test, Hardness test, Dissolution studies, Biological factor.

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