ABSTRACT:
Controlled-release solid oral formulations can be preparations can be broadly categorized as either single or multiple-unit dosage forms. Amongst these, the multiple-unit systems are gaining popularity and their market presence has increased several folds in the last several years. Multiparticulates are discrete drug particles that are combined into one dosage unit to form a multiple-unit system. Such formulations offer several advantages over other delivery systems. This article reviews the advantages, limitations, applications, objectives, structural and formulation design of multiparticulate drug delivery systems, technologies for preparing multiparticulate cores and their coating, objectives of coating multiparticulates, mechanisms of film formation, mechanism of drug release from coated multiparticulates, factors important in the preparation of coated multiparticulates and processing equipments and materials used for multiparticulate coating.