Liquisolid technology for dissolution rate enhancement or sustained release.

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD: Most of the drugs that have been invented are of BCS Class II. Therefore, dissolution rate enhancement is the key aspect for absorption of these drugs. Liquisolid technology is very efficient in the dissolution rate enhancement of these drugs. Moreover, use of other polymers such as Eudragit and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose in the liquisolid approach can cause sustained release of drugs. This review focuses on the formulation approaches of liquisolid tablets or compacts along with its fundamental principles. AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW: The review focuses on the developments in liquisolid technology from 1998 to 2009 with in vitro and in vivo performance of the dosage forms prepared using this technology. WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN: Benefits of this review include a concise evaluation of this technology by focusing on the scope of future developments to be done using this technique. TAKE HOME MESSAGE: Liquisolid technology, the next generation of powder solution technology, can be helpful for enhancing dissolution rates of poorly water-soluble drugs as well as effective at sustaining drug release.