Thursday, December 24, 2020

Types of modified-release dosage forms

The different types of modified release dosage forms are used to control or change the time and/or rate of release of a drug to the appropriate site in the body system to match the therapy goals in disease management.

Modified-release products are widely used in the oral solid dosage form such as tablet and capsule, they are the most preferred oral route of administration for many drugs. The pharmaceutical manufacturers have formulated a variety of dosage forms for patient compliance, with modified-release being one of them that change the time or release rate of a medicament to match therapy goals in disease management.
Modified release dosage forms are designed to ensure that the concentration of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is maintained at appropriate time intervals, deliver the drug in that part of the body, and simplify the dosing schedule. 

Different types of modified release drug delivery systems:

The different types of modified dosage forms are formulated by the pharmaceutical industries to enhance patient compliance by reducing dosing frequency along with minimizing side effects. The classification of a modified release dosage form is as follows.
1. Sustained-release dosage forms
2. Delayed-release dosage forms
3. Extended-release dosage forms
4. Controlled-release dosage forms
5. Targeted-release dosage forms
6. Prolonged-action dosage forms
7. Repeat-action dosage forms

Sustained-release dosage forms: 

Sustained release dosage forms are formulated to release the active pharmaceutical ingredient at an adequately slow or controlled rate over a sustained period, thus a minimum effective concentration of medication can provide long-term therapeutic effects after administration of a single dose.

Delayed-release dosage forms: 

In this form, the enteric coating is usually used on the granules, tablets, capsules, and pellets, so that they are resistant to gastric fluid and does not release in the stomach, although when entering the intestine they disintegrate or dissolve.

Extended-release dosage forms:

Extended-release dosage forms that release medication gradually over a longer time than conventional ones. It provides some significant advantages in patient compliance, convenience, and therapeutic outcomes.

Controlled-release dosage forms:

In this type of dosage form, the medication that is delivered at a controlled rate for an extended time can localize the action of the active ingredient by the spatial placement where it is required and target medication action by using methods to drug delivery to a specific cell type.
Types of modified-release dosage forms

Targeted-release dosage forms: 

The targeted drug delivery is also known as a smart drug delivery system; it is a method of delivering the medicine to the patient in a way, which increases the concentration of the drug in certain parts of the body. It is intended to use for providing a prolonged, localize, and target action of the drug as well as its protected drug interaction with the diseased tissue.

Prolonged-action dosage forms:

This type of dosage form has reduced the release rate of a drug from formulation after administration to keep therapeutic activity, minimize toxic effects, or for any other therapeutic purpose.

Repeat-action dosage forms: 

A repeat action tablet usually contains two doses of the drug, the first one released immediately after oral administration, and the second dose is released later when the layer of the enteric coating dissolves.


Commonly asked questions on dosage forms are as follows.

What is the major advantage of modified release dosage forms?
The modified release dosage forms have the ability to control the rate and site of drug release to reach clinical objectives, reduces the frequency dose, and improves patient compliance.

What is the advantage of effervescent tablets?
It is best suited for patients, especially children and the elderly who have problems swallowing and it has a rapid onset of action.

What is the principle of a tablet coating machine?
The tablet coating instrument operates on the principle of applying coating material as a solution to a group of tablets in a bed that can move vertically or horizontally.

What is the disadvantage of sublingual or buccal administration?
Buccal and sublingual routes of administration are not suitable to formulate the drugs that having unpleasant taste and odor.

What is the difference between soft and hard gelatin capsules?
The major difference between soft and hard gelatin capsules is that the soft gelatin capsules are used for liquid or semi-solid medication, whereas hard gelatin capsules are used for solids.


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