Floating Microspheres: Recent Trends in the Development of Gastroretentive Floating Drug Delivery System

Oral controlled release systems are designed to release the drug in-vivo with prediction so as to increase efficacy, minimize adverse effects and increase bioavailability of drugs. Floating drug delivery systems (FDDSs) are expected to remain buoyant in a lasting way upon the gastric contents. The various buoyant preparations include hollow microspheres, granules, powders, tablets, capsules, pills and laminated films. Floating microspheres are especially gaining attention due to their wide applicability in the targeting of drugs to the stomach. These floating microspheres have the advantage that they remain buoyant and distributed uniformly over the gastric fluid to avoid the vagaries of gastric emptying and release the drug for prolonged periods of time. Multiparticulate low-density particles can successfully prolong the gastric retention time of drugs. This article provides an overview of two important approaches utilized to prepare and improve the performance of floating microspheres.