Formulation And Evaluation of Floating Tablets

Floating tablets are an innovative form of oral controlled drug delivery designed to remain buoyant in the stomach for prolonged periods.By staying afloat on gastric fluids, they enhance the bioavailability and therapeutic effectiveness of drugs absorbed from the upper gastrointestinal tract.These tablets are formulated using polymers such as HPMC, carbopol, and sodium alginate, along with effervescent agents like sodium bicarbonate and citric acid to create gas for buoyancy.They offer advantages such as prolonged gastric retention, controlled drug release, reduced dosing frequency, and improved patient compliance.This chapter discusses formulation principles, mechanisms of floatation, evaluation parameters, and recent innovations like multiple-unit floating systems and mucoadhesive floating forms.Overall, floating tablets represent a modern and effective approach to achieving sustained, site-specific drug delivery and improving therapeutic outcomes.