A Review Article on Spansule Technology

Spansule technology is a significant advancement in oral drug delivery systems, particularly in terms of controlled, sustained, and targeted release of active medicinal ingredients.Spansules are hard gelatin capsules that contain tiny coated granules or pellets, each with its own unique releasing characteristics. The fundamental concept is based on multiphasic drug delivery, in which pellets covered with different polymer thicknesses disintegrate at staggered intervals, allowing for biphasic or triphasic drug release profiles. This ensures both fast therapeutic action and prolonged drug availability in systemic circulation, resulting in constant plasma drug concentrations throughout time.The history of spansule technology dates back to the 1950s, when Dexedrine Spansules and Contac 600 were first introduced. Since then, the technology has expanded to include advanced coating materials including carnauba wax, cellulose derivatives, ethyl cellulose, Eudragit, and polyvinyl alcohol, which provide greater control over dissolving rates and release kinetics. Drug release from spansules normally follows zero-order kinetics, which reduces variations in drug levels and improves treatment effectiveness. Spansules are particularly beneficial in the treatment of chronic ailments such as attentiondeficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), hypertension, pain disorders, and respiratory diseases, where stable therapeutic levels are essential. These systems also reduce dose frequency, increase patient compliance, reduce adverse effects, and safeguard sensitive medications from harsh gastrointestinal conditions.