A Review on Applications of Bilayer Tablet Technology for Drug Combinations

Abstract

Bilayer tablets are novel drug delivery systems where combination of two drugs in a single unit having different release profiles can be delivered. Bilayer tablets improve patient compliance, prolong the drug(s) action and can deliver two incompatible drugs in a single formulation. Bilayer tablets have one layer of active ingredient for immediate release and a second layer for delayed release, either as a second dose or in an extended release fashion. Bilayer tablets are advancing helpful technologies to overcome the disadvantages of single-layered tablets. However, bilayer tablet technology is resource-intensive. A thorough selection of excipients and manufacturing conditions for each technical stage is also required. Patients with high blood pressure often have difficulty or are unable to regulate their BP with just a single medication. The majority of hypertension patients will need to take two or more antihypertensive medicines in order to meet treatment goals. Combinations of antihypertensive drugs from various categories have been found to be more effective than either drug alone in treating hypertension in people whose blood pressure cannot be maintained satisfactorily with monotherapy. Combining two antihypertensive medications with mutually beneficial mechanisms of action may result in much greater blood pressure lowering efficacy than any of these components alone. The goal of this review is to discuss the use of bilayer tablets to administer fixed antihypertensive drug combinations for the treatment of high blood pressure. Keywords: Bilayer tablet, blood pressure, antihypertensive drugs, Sustained release, maintenance dose.