taste masking

Ion exchange resins are cross-linked water insoluble polymer-carrying, ionisable functional groups. IER have received considerable attention from pharmaceutical scientists because of their versatile properties as drug delivery vehicles. Research over the last few years has revealed that IER are equally suitable for drug delivery technologies, including controlled release, transdermal, nasal, topical and taste masking. The major drawback of sustained release of extended release or extended release is dose dumping, resulting in increased risk of toxicity. The use of IER has occupied an important place in the development of controlled- or sustained-release systems because of their better drug-retaining properties and prevention of dose dumping. Synthetic ion exchange resins have been used in pharmacy and medicine for taste masking or controlled release of drug. Drug resin complexation converts drug to amorphous form leading to improved drug dissolution. Several studies have reported the use of IER for drug delivery at the desired site of action. Keywords: Ion exchange resins, taste masking, resin drug complex, controlled release

The article describes strategy for masking the intensely bitter taste of Azithromycin Dihydrate(AZT) by using complexation with Kyron T-134. The resinates prepared with drug-Kyron T-134 ratio (1:3) at pH 8, gave maximum drug loading. Suspension containing, resinate showed more than 90% in-vitro drug release within 45min. Prepared formulation showed good stability and retention of palatable taste. Thus, the “patient-friendly dosage form” of bitter drugs, especially for pediatric, geriatric, bedridden, and non cooperative patients, can be successfully formulated using this technology.

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.