Abstract

ADVANCES IN RECENT PELLETIZATION TECHNIQUES FOR CONTROLLED DRUG DELIVERY IN PHARMACEUTICALS

Kalyani S.*, Sakshi P., Vedant B., Shubham S., Sonali P. and Leena C.

ABSTRACT

Pellets, those tiny spherical particles measuring between 0.5mm to 1.5mm, have quietly revolutionized the world of pharmaceuticals. Think of them as small, round heroes, designed primarily for oral medication. These unassuming spheres, when packed with drugs, offer numerous advantages over traditional single-unit doses like tablets or capsules. Imagine this: when you take multiple-unit pellets, they journey through your gastrointestinal tract, behaving differently than their single-unit counterparts. They're less dependent on when your stomach empties, smoothly passing through the pyloric sphincter. This reduces the variability in how long they stay inside you, which is a big win for drug effectiveness. Pellets can take on different forms, such as being packed into hard gelatin capsules or even compressed into
tablets. The latter is a modern approach that's more practical than usingcapsules. Modified release pellets, in particular, have numerous therapeutic perks. They evenly distribute drugs, avoiding localized build-up, and offer flexibility in designing solid pharmaceutical forms. In recent years, there's been a surge of interest in pelletization. These little spheres are incredibly versatile. They can be transformed into various dosage forms, improving the appearance of products, controlling drug release rates when coated with polymers, enhancing flow properties, and ensuring a smoother journey through your gastrointestinal tract. Now, the process of making these pellets has come a long way. Old methods like powder layering and solution layering had their drawbacks, like uneven sizes and stability issues. But in recent times, innovative techniques such as freeze pelletization, cryopelletization, and hot melt extrusion have stepped in to address these concerns. This article serves as a guide through these advancements in pellet technology, showcasing how these unassuming spheres have quietly become indispensable in the world of pharmaceuticals.

Keywords: Pelletization, Pellets, Extrusion-spheronization, Bioavailability, Cryopelletization.