Abstract
Oral drug delivery is the most preferred route of drug administration. Hydrophilic matrices are widely used platform for oral extended release drug delivery around the globe and most extensively studied. This is due to their broad regulatory acceptance, relative ease of formulation and manufacturing and historical commercial success in the market place. The use of extended release products offers some potential advantages in patient convenience/compliance and therapeutic outcomes. However, the range of drugs for which clinically significant advantages have been shown is limited. Prescribers and pharmacists should be aware of the costs of these products and have knowledge of their clinical use in selected patient groups. In some instances, the formulation is probably serving a marketing objective rather than a clinical objective. This article will review the importance of the extended release drug delivery system and critical formulation aspects of hydrophilic matrix technology with emphasis on the influence of polymers on their release performance.
