A Review on Gastroretentive Floating Tablet: A Tool to Improve Bioavailibility in Gastric

Gastroretentive drug delivery systems (GRDDS) have emerged as a promising approach to enhance the bioavailability of drugs with narrow absorption windows in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Among various GRDDS, floating tablets have gained significant attention due to their ability to remain buoyant in gastric fluids for prolonged periods, ensuring sustained drug release and improved therapeutic efficacy. These formulations utilize low-density polymers, effervescent agents, and swelling mechanisms to maintain their position in the stomach, preventing premature drug transit and degradation. Floating tablets are particularly beneficial for drugs with poor solubility in intestinal pH, erratic gastric emptying, and site-specific absorption in the stomach. This review provides a detailed insight into the formulation strategies, mechanisms, and advantages of gastroretentive floating tablets while addressing the challenges in their development, including variability in gastric motility and patient-related factors. The latest advancements, including novel polymeric approaches, in vivo evaluation techniques, and regulatory perspectives, are also discussed. The continuous evolution of floating drug delivery systems underscores their significance in improving bioavailability and patient compliance for a range of therapeutic agents.