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New Trends in Oral Solid Dosage Forms (OSDFs)


Oral Solid Dosage

Here are the latest trends in Oral Solid Dosage Forms (OSDFs) — especially tablets and capsules — which continue to dominate the global pharmaceutical market due to their stability, ease of administration, and scalability.


🧭 New Trends in Oral Solid Dosage Forms (OSDFs)


1. Modified and Targeted Drug Release Technologies


Modern OSDFs are moving beyond conventional immediate-release formats.

  • Sustained/Extended Release (SR/ER): Ensures steady drug levels over time, improving compliance.

  • Delayed Release (DR): Protects drugs from stomach acid or targets drug delivery to specific sites (e.g., colon).

  • Chronotherapeutics: Time-controlled release to match the body's biological rhythm (e.g., for asthma or hypertension).


Example: Enteric-coated aspirin to reduce gastric irritation.

2. Fixed-Dose Combinations (FDCs)


FDCs combine two or more APIs in a single tablet/capsule for enhanced therapeutic outcomes and convenience.

  • Common in diabetes, hypertension, HIV, and TB treatment.

  • Drives patient adherence and reduces pill burden.


Example: Glimepiride + Metformin combination for type 2 diabetes.

3. 3D-Printed Tablets


Still in early adoption, 3D printing allows for highly customizable tablets:

  • Personalized dosage

  • Complex geometries for programmed drug release

  • On-demand production in hospitals or remote areas


FDA-approved example: Spritam (levetiracetam), for epilepsy, uses ZipDose® 3D printing tech.

4. Orally Disintegrating Tablets (ODTs) & Fast-Dissolving Tablets


ODTs dissolve quickly in the mouth without water, ideal for pediatric, geriatric, and psychiatric patients.

  • Rapid onset of action

  • Better patient compliance, especially in developing markets


Common in antiemetics, antipsychotics, and antihistamines.

5. High-Potency API (HPAPI) Formulations


As newer drugs become more potent, handling and formulating HPAPIs in solid dosage forms is a growing trend.

  • Requires specialized containment and processing

  • Mostly used in oncology, hormonal, and targeted therapies


6. Abuse-Deterrent Formulations (ADFs)


To combat opioid misuse, ADFs are designed to prevent crushing, dissolving, or injecting the drug.

  • Common in pain management and psychiatric meds

  • Includes physical barriers and aversive agents


7. Continuous Manufacturing & PAT (Process Analytical Technology)


Instead of batch-wise production, continuous manufacturing allows:

  • Real-time quality monitoring (PAT)

  • Improved efficiency, consistency, and scalability

  • Lower production costs in the long run


Adopted by companies like Pfizer and Novartis for OSDFs.

8. Clean Label & Vegan Capsules


Driven by consumer demand in nutraceuticals and OTC products:

  • Gelatin-free capsules (HPMC-based)

  • Natural colorants and excipients

  • Sugar-free, gluten-free, and allergen-free options


9. Mini Tablets and Multi-Unit Pellet Systems (MUPS)


Instead of a single large tablet, MUPS or mini tablets are:

  • Easier to swallow

  • Allow for flexible dosing

  • Useful in pediatrics and geriatrics

Example: Pantoprazole MUPS in sachets or capsules.

10. Smart Tablets with Embedded Sensors

Still in development, these tablets contain micro-sensors to track:

  • Adherence

  • Drug ingestion time

  • Patient response


Example: Abilify MyCite – a sensor-enabled aripiprazole tablet.

🌍 Global Drivers Behind These Trends:

  • Personalized medicine and precision therapy

  • Regulatory push for quality and patient safety

  • Technological advances in formulation science

  • Increased focus on patient-centric drug design

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