Newer insights into pulsatile drug delivery systems

Abstract

In present time advancement are going on to develop Modified dosage form i.e. sustain release, controlled release and extended release dosage formulation to improve way of therapeutic treatment, to improve patient convenience and compliance toward drug therapy. Through the recent studies, it was found that number of normal body function and disease condition show chronobiological behavior. It was found that occurrence of diseases like asthma, peptic ulcers, cardiovascular ailments, arthritis and attention deficit syndrome in children and hypercholesterolemia shows circadian rhythm dependency. This leads to development of intelligent drug delivery system called ‘Pulsatile drug delivery system (PDDS). This system are designated to deliver drug in Pulse after predetermined lag time to match circadian rhythm of particular disease. This concept has several advantages, notably maximum therapeutic benefit, minimum harm, improved patient convenience and compliance. Pharmacists must realize the need to develop and dispense such medications having potential therapeutic benefit. The current article focuses on reasons for development of pulsatile drug delivery system, diseases requiring PDDS, Necessity of PDDS, classification, evaluations, advantages, limitation, future aspects and PDDS product currently available in the market.