A Review of Rational Design of Fast Dissolving Tablets Using Binary Superdisintegrants: Isabgol Mucilage and Crospovidone

Abstract

Dysphagia affects approximately 15–22% of the global population, with substantially higher prevalence among pediatric (20–30%), geriatric (35–40%), and institutionalized patients (up to 60%), representing a major barrier to oral drug administration. Fast dissolving tablets (FDTs) provide a rational pharmaceutical solution by disintegrating in the oral cavity within 30–60 seconds without requiring water or chewing. Despite advances in superdisintegrant technology, single-agent systems face limitations including inconsistent disintegration times (>45 seconds) and suboptimal drug release profiles (<85% in 15 minutes). Binary superdisintegrant systems combining mechanistically distinct agents offer synergistic performance improvements. This review critically evaluates FDT formulation using Isabgol mucilage (Plantago ovata Forsk.) and crospovidone as binary superdisintegrants, focusing on mechanistic synergy, excipient functionality (advantages and disadvantages), formulation optimization strategies, and cardiovascular drug applications (amlodipine besylate, carvedilol). Optimized Isabgol:crospovidone blends at 1:1 to 2:1 ratios achieve disintegration times of 7–11 seconds with >98% drug release in 15 minutes. The sublimation technique using camphor as a complementary manufacturing strategy, fast dissolving films as an allied dosage form, and stability considerations under ICH guidelines are also discussed. Challenges of moisture sensitivity, batch-to-batch variability of natural excipients, taste masking, and manufacturing scalability are addressed.

Keywords: Fast dissolving tablets; Isabgol mucilage; Crospovidone; Binary superdisintegrants; Plantago ovata; Orally disintegrating tablets; Sublimation technique; Fast dissolving films; Amlodipine besylate; Carvedilol; Patient compliance.