Fixed dose combination products as Oro-dispersible tablets: A review

Abstract

A fixed-dose combination (FDC) drug is a one that includes two or more active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) combined in a single dosage form, which is manufactured and distributed in fixed doses ^[1]. It increases patient compliance by reducing the no. of medications that a patient has to take especially for geriatric and pediatric patients. Orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) are solid dosage forms containing a medicinal substance or active ingredient that rapidly disintegrates upon contact with saliva, typically within 30 s, eliminating the need for swallowing. It also increases patient compliance by reducing the swallowing problems faced by the patients especially for geriatric and pediatric patients. This review is about combining the techniques of both FDC and ODT formulations which promises to have a wide range of advantages to pediatric and geriatric populations, institutionalized and psychiatric patients, those suffering from nausea and vomiting, and individuals with lack of access to water. In spite of these advantages rarely do we find FDC-ODT products in our commercial market, this review aims at analyzing all the aspects of FDC and ODT formulations thereby forming the foundation for further studies.

Keywords: Fixed-dose combinations, Orally disintegrating tablets, Patient compliance.