A Review on Fast Dissolving Tablets

Abstract

Fast dissolving tablets (FDTs) have gained significant attention in recent years as an innovative drug delivery system designed to improve patient compliance, particularly among pediatric and geriatric populations who experience difficulty swallowing conventional tablets. This review focuses on the formulation and evaluation of fast dissolving tablets containing Ketoprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) widely used for the management of pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and other musculoskeletal disorders. The development of FDTs aims to achieve rapid disintegration and dissolution in the oral cavity without the need for water, leading to quicker onset of action and enhanced bioavailability. Various formulation approaches such as direct compression, sublimation, freeze-drying, and superdisintegrant addition are discussed in relation to their influence on tablet properties. The review also examines critical formulation parameters including disintegration time, wetting time, hardness, friability, drug content uniformity, and in vitro dissolution profile. The role of excipients like superdisintegrants (croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone, sodium starch glycolate) and taste-masking agents is emphasized to achieve optimal performance and patient acceptability. Overall, fast dissolving tablets of Ketoprofen represent a promising alternative to conventional dosage forms, offering rapid pain relief, improved therapeutic efficacy, and better patient adherence.

Keywords: Fast dissolving tablets; Ketoprofen; NSAIDs; Oral drug delivery; Superdisintegrants; Direct compression; Rapid disintegration; Taste masking; Patient compliance; Bioavailability enhancement; Sublimation method; Immediate release formulation