Pulsatile Drug Delivery System an innovative approach for Controlled Drug Delivery

Abstract

Oral dosage forms are known to provide a zero order or first order release in which the drug is released at a substantially steady rate of release per unit of time. Traditionally, drugs are released in an immediate or extended fashion. However, in recent years, pulsatile drug release systems are gaining growing interest. The principle rationale for the use of pulsatile release is for the drugs where a constant drug release, i.e., a zero-order release is not desired. Pulsatile drug delivery system (PDDS) is defined as the rapid and transient release of certain amount of molecules within a short time period immediately after a predetermined off-release period, i.e., lag time. Pulsatile release systems can be classified in multiple-pulse and single-pulse systems. A popular class of single-pulse systems is that of rupturable dosage forms. Other systems consist of a drug-containing core, covered by a swelling layer and an outer insoluble, but semi-permeable polymer coating or membrane. These systems are beneficial for the drugs having chrono pharmacological behavior where night time dosing is required and for the drugs having high first-pass effect and having specific site of absorption in GIT. Various systems like capsular systems, osmotic systems, pulsatile system based on the use of soluble or erodible polymer coating, use of rupturable membranes and pulsatile system based on membrane permeability are summarized in this article. This article also covers chrono-pharmacotherapy approach along with pulsatile drug delivery system.