FAST DISINTEGRATING TABLETS - AN EMERGING TREND Review Article

Fast disintegrating tablets (FDTs) have received ever-increasing demand during the last decade and the field has become a rapidly growing area in the pharmaceutical industry. Upon introduction into the mouth, these tablets dissolve or disintegrate in the mouth in the absence of additional water for easy administration of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Such tablets readily dissolve or disintegrate in the saliva generally within <60 seconds. Fast or mouth dissolving tablets have been formulated for pediatric, geriatric, bedridden patients and for active patients who are busy and traveling and may not have access to water. Such formulations provide an opportunity for product line extension in the many elderly persons will have difficulties in taking conventional oral dosage forms (viz., solutions, suspensions, tablets, and capsules) because of hand tremors and dysphasia.