Abstract

TECHNIQUES AND POLYMERS USED TO DESIGN GASTRORETENTIVE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS – A REVIEW

Rabia Aslam*, Yasir Mehmood, Sidra Khan, Hammad Yousaf

ABSTRACT

Gastroretentive drug delivery systems provide drug delivery at the controlled rate and prolong the retention of dosage forms in gastrointestinal tract. Different problems are associated with the conventional oral dosage forms including gastric irritation, degradation of the drug in the gastro intestinal tract due to first pass effect, acidic or alkaline pH and low bioavailability of drugs with narrow index of absorption. To overcome these problems gastroretentive drug delivery systems have been developed. In this review we will discuss the various aspects of the gastroretentive systems. In the start introduction to the gastroretentive systems along with advantages and factors controlling gastric retention of dosage formshave been discussed. Afterwards the requirements for development of gastroretentive drug delivery systemsand suitable and unsuitable drugs candidates are briefly explained.Then polymers and the different other substances used in formulatinghydro dynamically balanced, raft, muco-adhesive, floating, high density and magnetic systems of gastroretentive drug delivery systems are described. Various gastroretentive dosage forms of the different drugs and polymers utilized in them are given in this review.

Keywords: Gastroretentive drug delivery system, Patient Compliance, Targeted delivery of drugs, Polymers.