Advances in Orodispersible Films: Transforming Drug Delivery for Pediatric and Geriatric Patients.

Orodispersible films (ODFs) represent an innovative and patient-friendly oral drug delivery system that has gained significant momentum in recent years. Designed to disintegrate rapidly upon contact with saliva, ODFs eliminate the need for water and swallowing, offering distinct advantages for pediatric and geriatric patients, as well as individuals with dysphagia or poor treatment adherence. Advances in formulation science, including the incorporation of novel polymers, nanocarriers, and taste-masking technologies, have expanded the therapeutic scope of ODFs across a wide range of drug classes. Manufacturing innovations such as solvent casting, hot-melt extrusion, electrospinning, and three-dimensional (3D) printing have further enhanced their versatility, enabling precise dosing and personalized medicine approaches. Clinical applications now extend beyond conventional small molecules to biologics, vaccines, and emergency-use medications, positioning ODFs as a transformative dosage form in modern pharmaceutics. Despite challenges such as limited drug loading capacity and stability concerns, ODFs hold immense potential to improve compliance, therapeutic outcomes, and quality of life for vulnerable patient populations.