[Formulation strategies of intraoral dosage forms]

The active pharmaceutical ingredient can be administered by several different routes. Although the oral route (per os) has been one of the most convenient and widely accepted delivery system for most drugs, it has number of disadvantages like the very low pH of the stomach, the high enzymatic activity, and extensive first-pass metabolism. Difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia) is common among all age groups, especially in "problematic" subpopulations like children and the elderly. Several novel intraoral dosage forms (IODs) have recently become available to modulate the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic characteristics of drugs, while improving patient compliance. The present article summarizes and categorizes their formulation possibilities.