Gastro Retentive Floating Drug Delivery System

Abstract

Gastro-retentive drug delivery systems (GRDDS) have emerged as an effective strategy to the therapeutic performance of drugs that exhibit narrow absorption windows, low solubility at intestinal pH, or preferential uptake in the upper gastrointestinal tract. By prolonging residence time, these systems improve drug dissolution, absorption, and overall while reducing dosing frequency and enhancing patient compliance. Floating drug delivery (FDDS), comprising effervescent and non-effervescent mechanisms, represent one of the most widely explored GRDDS approaches due to their ability to maintain buoyancy and sustained or controlled drug release. Various formulation techniques such as solvent evaporation, emulsion solvent diffusion, spray drying, and in-situ gel formation have enabled the development of single-unit and multiple-unit floating systems, hollow microspheres, beads, and raft-forming gels. The performance of these systems is influenced by multiple factors including selection, density, gastric physiology, meal pattern, and buoyancy characteristics. Evaluation parameters such as floating lag time, total floating duration, swelling behavior profiling, in-vivo imaging, mechanical strength, and physicochemical stability are critical in determining formulation efficiency. Despite limitations associated with drug stability in media and variability in gastric conditions, advancements in polymer technology and fabrication techniques continue to expand the applicability of GRDDS. Overall, floating delivery systems offer a promising platform for improving site-specific delivery, sustaining levels, and minimizing dose-related adverse effects, thereby contributing significantly to optimization of oral drug therapy.