MULTIPARTICULATE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM: PELLETIZATION THROUGH EXTRUSION AND SPHERONIZATION

Abstract

Pharmaceutical invention and research are increasingly focusing on delivery systems which enhance desirable therapeutic objectives while minimising side effects. Recent trends indicate that multiparticulate drug delivery systems are especially suitable for achieving controlled or delayed release oral formulations with low risk of dose dumping, flexibility of blending to attain different release patterns as well as reproducible and short gastric residence time. Pelletization is a technique used to prepare fine powders into pellets used as multiparticulate drug delivery systems. There are different pelletization techniques used to prepare pellets. Extrusion and spheronization is one of them used to prepare pellets drug loaded beads/pellets for extended release or sustained release oral formulations such as tablets and capsules.