Fast disintegrating tablets (FDTs) were initially developed for immediate
drug delivery, quicker onset of action and as age appropriate dosage form for special
populations like geriatrics, paediatrics, psychotics, etc. Their quick dissolution/
disintegration in the oral cavity has made them suitable for incorporating
microparticles/pellets for developing controlled drug delivery systems. Furthermore,
advancement in manufacturing technologies and dosage forms have led to the
introduction of newer dosage forms like oral disintegrating mini tablets (ODMTs), fast
disintegrating capsules (FDCs), fast disintegrating pellets (FDPs) and orodispersible or
to dissolve in oral powders. ODMTs are small size (2-3 mm in diameter) tablets
prepared with characteristics of faster dissolution/disintegration. ODMTs have been
found suitable and well acceptable in children. Perforation and vacuum drying methods
have been used to convert traditional capsules into FDCs to overcome disadvantages of
other FDDFs like expensive manufacturing, low payload, lengthy processes and
insufficient masking of undesirable taste. Extrusion spheronisation and spray coating of
drug with suitable excipients can led to FDPs, while orodispersible/effervescent
powders can be filled in a unit dose packing. This chapter details about these novel
FDDFs vis a vis to some novel advancements in their compositions.
Keywords: Capsules, Controlled release, Drug targeting, Granules, Mini tablets,
Oral disintegration, Pellets, Powders.
