A Comprehensive Review: New Approaches in Sustained Release Pellets

Abstract

Sustained release drug delivery systems are gaining momentum due to their potential to maintain constant plasma drug concentrations, reduce dosing frequency, and improve patient compliance. Among these systems, pellet-based formulations produced by extrusion-spheronization have demonstrated significant advantages including uniform size distribution, high sphericity, and smooth surface characteristics. This review highlights the principles of extrusion-spheronization, critical formulation parameters, suitable excipients, evaluation methods, and examples of marketed and experimental sustained release pellets. The technique’s ability to process both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs makes it highly versatile. The paper further discusses the limitations, regulatory perspectives, and future potential of extrusion-spheronization in advanced drug delivery systems.

Keywords: Sustained release drug delivery systems, Spheronization, Drying, Coating.