Oral route of drug administration is typically the initial option for drug administration because it is both practical and affordable. However, major drawback of this route includes the release of drug at a specified place thus reduces the bioavailability. This could be overcome by utilising the gastroretentive drug delivery system (GRRDS). Prolonged stomach retention improves bioavailability and increases solubility for medicines that are unable to dissolve in high pH environments. Many recent advancements in the floating, bio adhesive, magnetic, expandable, raft forming and ion exchange systems have been made that had led towards advanced form of drug delivery. From the past few years, floating drug delivery system has been most commonly utilised for the delivery of drug in a delayed manner. Various polymers have been utilised for manufacturing of these systems, including alginates, chitosan, pectin, carrageenan's, xanthan gum, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carbomer, polyethylene oxide and sodium carboxy methyl cellulose. Chitosan, pectin and xanthan gum have been found to be most commonly used polymers in the manufacturing of drug inclusion complex for gastroretentive drug delivery. This study aimed to define various types and advanced polymers as well as also highlights recent advances and future perspectives of gastroretentive drug delivery system.
Keywords: Bioavailability; chitosan; gastroretentive drug delivery system; pectin; polymers.