Fast Disintegrating Tablets: An Overview

Fast dissolving drug delivery systems (FDDS) were first developed in the late 1970s as an alternative to tablets, capsules, and syrups for pediatric and geriatric patients who experience difficulties in swallowing traditional oral solid dosage forms. Over the past three decades, fast disintegrating tablets (FDTs) have gained considerable attention as a preferred alternative to conventional tablets and capsules due to better patient compliance. FDTs are solid dosage forms containing medicinal substances which disintegrate rapidly, usually in a matter of seconds, when placed on the tongue. The convenience of administration and improved patient compliance are important in the design of oral drug delivery system which remains the preferred route of drug delivery inspite of various disadvantages. Such problem can be solved in the novel drug delivery system by formulating "Fast disintegrating tablets" (FDTs) which disintegrates or dissolves rapidly without water within few seconds in the mouth due to the action of superdisintegrant or maximizing pore structure in the formulation. The review describes the various formulation aspects, superdisintegrants employed and technologies developed for FDTs, along with various excipients, evaluation tests, taste masking methods, marketed formulation and drugs used in this research area.