Porous Oral Drug Delivery System: Tablets

Abstract

One of the most active and promising areas of research in this pharmaceutical field is the application of porous structures in solid-state pharmaceuticals, particularly given the large number of existing and emerging therapeutic molecules that are classified as poorly soluble, including approximately 40% of the top 200 oral drugs globally. Porous compacts have been extensively studied for pharmaceutical applications due to their good biocompatibility, biodegradability, and satisfactory solubility at low toxicity. Porous compacts can be filled in hard gelatine capsule shells or processed to form tablets. Porous formulations in the tablet form showed good biocompatibility without causing undesirable side effects in biological systems. The porous particulate drug formulations can be of both types such as immediate or sustained release delivery system. The evolution of porous matrices as potential drug delivery systems continues with ongoing efforts in improving the loading and controlled release of therapeutics, with particular interest in targeted delivery. The mechanism of immediate release from porous tablets can be attributed to quick entry of water into porous matrix which causes rapid disintegration and dissolution of the tablet. The oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs is enhanced by porous compacts. Porous compacts are also used to enhance the dissolution of relatively insoluble drugs.