M. Lakshmi Narasu

A recent advance in Novel Drug Delivery System (NDDS) aims to enhance safety and efficacy of drug molecule by formulating a convenient dosage form for administration and to achieve better patient compliance. Mouth dissolving tablets or fast dissolving tablets have received ever-increasing demand during the last decade, and the field have been rapidly growing in  the pharmaceutical industry and gaining popularity due to ease of administration  and better patient compliance to all age groups. MDDDS have the unique property of dissolving and/or rapidly disintegrating and releasing the drug as soon as they come in contact with saliva, thus obviating the requirement of water during administration. This review focusses on various formulations and also technologies developed to achieve fast dissolution/dispersion of tablets in the oral cavity. The target population for these new fast dissolving/ disintegrating dosage forms have generally been pediatric, geriatric, and bedridden or developmentally disabled patients. Patients with persistent nausea, who are in traveling, or who have little or no access to water are also good candidates for MDDTs.