GASTRORETENTIVE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Oral route of drug administration is the most preferable route because of its flexibility in formulation, ease of administration, and patient compliance. But this route has certain limitations like limited gastric residence time (GRT) for sustained drug delivery system and for the drugs which are absorb from specific region of gastrointestinal tract (GIT). To overcome these limitations, various approaches have been proposed to increase the gastric retention time of the delivery system in the upper part of gastrointestinal tract. Gastroretentive dosage form (GRDF) prolongs the GRT by targeting site-specific drug release in upper part of GIT. GRDFs enable continuous and the extended duration of drug release and improve bioavailability of drugs that have narrow therapeutic window, by this way they prolong dosing interval and increase compliance of the patient. The purpose of this article is to compile the various gastroretentive approaches. In order to understand various physiological difficulties to achieve gastric retention, we have summarized important factors controlling gastric retention. Finally the evaluation parameters of gastroretentive drug delivery systems are covered. The present review addresses briefly about the current status of various leading gastroretentive drug delivery technologies, developed until now, i.e. high density (sinking), floating, bio- or mucoadhesive, expandable, unfoldable, super porous hydrogel, magnetic systems etc. In addition, important factors controlling gastroretention, advantages and finally, future potential are discussed.Keywords: Floating Delivery, Gastro retentive system.Â