Abstract : A solid dosage form that dissolves or disintegrates rapidly in oral cavity, resulting in solution or suspension without the need of water is known as fast dissolving tablet or oral dispersing dosage form. Oral disintegrating tablets are also known as mouth dissolving, fast dissolving, rapid- dissolve, rapimelt, fast melts, porous tablets, EFVDAS or Effervescent drug absorption system (Elan corporation), Orosolv (cima labs inc., USA), Zydis (R. P. Scherer, UK) etc. The concept of Fast dissolving drug delivery system (FDDS) emerged from the desire to provide patient with more conventional means of taking their medication. It is difficult for many patients to swallow tablets and hard gelatin capsules and do not take their medicines as prescribed. The difficulty experienced in particular by pediatrics and geriatrics patients, but this also applies to the patients who are ill in bed or travelling. Other groups that may experience problems using conventional oral dosage form include the mentally sick, developmentally disable and patients who are non-cooperative. Such problems can be resolved by means of oral disintegrating tablets (ODTs). For the above reasons, tablets that can dissolve or disintegrate in oral cavity, have attracted a great deal of attention. Indeed, ODTs are an important and attractive alternative to liquid dosage form. ODTs are not only indicated for people having difficulty in swallowing but also ideal for unfavorable conditions of administrations where water is not available. Syrups are best for pediatrics but they are bulky and drugs are not as stable in liquid form as in solid form like tablets.
