Introduction to Pellets
- Pellets are small, free-flowing, spherical or semi-spherical solid dosage forms ranging in size from 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm.
- They are primarily used in the pharmaceutical industry to deliver active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and exhibit excellent uniformity, flowability, and versatility.
Key Features:
- Shape and Size: Typically spherical, though slightly oval or irregular shapes are also possible. The uniformity of size is essential for consistent drug release and processing.
- Multidose System: Pellets can be filled into capsules or compressed into tablets, allowing flexibility in drug delivery.
- Controlled Drug Release: Pellet can be coated with polymers to achieve immediate, delayed, or sustained release profiles.
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Advantages:
- Reduced Dose Dumping: The division of the drug into multiple pellets reduces the risk of overdose from a single unit.
- Improved Bioavailability: Pellet ensures uniform drug distribution along the gastrointestinal tract.
- Customizable Release Profiles: Achieved through coating with functional polymers.
- Ease of Processing: Excellent flow properties simplify handling and manufacturing.
- Masking of Taste/Odor: Encapsulation or coating effectively masks unpleasant characteristics of drugs.
Applications of Pellets:
- Controlled-release formulations (e.g., extended-release tablets).
- Combination therapies (incorporating multiple drugs in one dosage form).
- Taste masking and pediatric drug formulations.
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