Advances in pharmaceutical development of modified-release drug formulations and products

The ongoing need to provide greater therapeutic efficacy and reduced side effects has accelerated the interest in modified-release oral dosage formulations. Orally-taken solid dosage forms continue to play a central role in the treatment of various medical conditions. Modified-release formulations are one of the most common systems for oral delivery due to improved compliance and reduction in the frequency of dosing. Based on the needs and challenges of modified-release formulations, a variety of novel modified-release platforms have been developed. This review aims to enhance the knowledge and understanding of properties of modified-release formulations and explains how these products release their active ingredients. The review also emphasises the types of modified-release dosage forms with reference to the commercial excipients and polymers currently used during the formulation development.