Fast dissolving drug delivery systems are ideal for all types of people, including for people who have swallowing difficulties, pediatric, geriatric, and bedridden patients. It is also for active patients who are busy, travelling and may not have access to water. Fast dissolving drug delivery systems includes both fast dissolving tablets and fast dissolving films. This type of drug delivery system disintegrates quickly once introduced into the mouth in the absence of additional water for easy administration of active pharmaceutical ingredients. The active ingredients can be absorbed directly through oral mucosa into the systemic circulation bypassing the first pass metabolism. Hence, quicker onset of action, reduction in dosage and frequency, avoidance of gut wall and hepatic metabolism, and increase in bioavailability are eminent. This review article presents the common and differentiating features between the fast dissolving tablets (FDT) and fast dissolving films (FDF) and the list of common drugs which are manufacturing as both fast dissolving tablets and fast dissolving films.
