Orodispersible tablets (ODTs) have emerged as a popular and patient-friendly alternative to conventional oral solid dosage forms like tablets and capsules. ODTs offer ease of administration without water and dissolve or disperse in the oral cavity within seconds. Let us take a detailed look at these innovative dosage forms that are transforming pharmaceutical product design and development.

What are Orodispersible Tablets?

Orodispersible tablets, commonly referred to as orally disintegrating tablets or mouth-dissolving tablets, are tablets that disintegrate or dissolve rapidly in the oral cavity without the need for water or chewing. Unlike conventional tablets that are intended to be swallowed whole, ODTs dissolve or disperse in saliva within seconds, enabling easy administration especially for patients who have difficulty in swallowing conventional tablets or capsules.

ODTs typically contain superdisintegrants like crospovidone, sodium starch glycolate or low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose that facilitate rapid disintegration and dispersion of the tablet when placed on the tongue. The pleasant mouthfeel, rapid dispersal and quick dissolution make ODTs suitable for pediatric, geriatric and other patient groups who cannot swallow tablets easily.

Advantages of ODTs

- Convenient administration without water - The ability to dissolve in saliva makes ODTs highly convenient to administer for patients who find it challenging to swallow tablets or capsules.

- Improved compliance and accuracy of dosing - As ODTs allow accurate dosing without any difficulty in swallowing, medication compliance and accuracy improve significantly compared to oral liquids. This is especially useful for elderly patients and children.

- Fast onset of action - Rapid dissolution and disintegration of ODTs in seconds within the oral cavity leads to a quick absorption of the drug and fast onset of therapeutic action.

Manufacturing of ODTs

Several techniques like lyophilization/freeze drying, molding, spray drying, direct compression etc. are used for efficient manufacturing of ODTs. Among these:

- Lyophilization/freeze drying involves freezing the solvent, drug and other excipients, and then reducing the system pressure to allow sublimation of the frozen solvent under vacuum. It yields a very porous, lightweight and quick-dissolving lyophilized mass.

- Molding involves moistening the powder blend with a hydroalcoholic solvent followed by compression into a mold. The solvent is then removed by sublimation under vacuum, leaving a molded porous compact.

Future of Orodispersible Tablets

ODTs have revolutionized oral solid dosage forms and patient acceptability through their unique convenience. The major advancements indicate immense potential for growth and wider application of this dosage technology.

- Complex formulations - More and more modified release, multi-layer and taste-masked formulations are being developed as orodispersible tablets.

- 3D-printing technology - Use of 3D printing could open up opportunities for manufacturing personalized and flexible dosage forms like ODTs at commercial scale.

With continued R&D focus on new drug delivery applications, novel formulations, intelligent packaging and automated manufacturing technologies, orodispersible tablets are poised for extensive adoption in future. This will further improve treatment outcomes through enhanced patient adherence and experience.