Pellets are small, free-flowing, spherical or semi-spherical solid dosage forms ranging in size from 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm.
They are primarily used in the pharmaceutical industry to deliver active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and exhibit excellent uniformity, flowability, and versatility.
Key Features:
Shape and Size: Typically spherical, though slightly oval or irregular shapes are also possible. The uniformity of size is essential for consistent drug release and processing.
Multidose System: Pellets can be filled into capsules or compressed into tablets, allowing flexibility in drug delivery.
Controlled Drug Release: Pellets can be coated with polymers to achieve immediate, delayed, or sustained release profiles.
Advantages:
Reduced Dose Dumping: The division of the drug into multiple pellets reduces the risk of overdose from a single unit.
Improved Bioavailability: Pellets ensure uniform drug distribution along the gastrointestinal tract.
Customizable Release Profiles: Achieved through coating with functional polymers.
Ease of Processing: Excellent flow properties simplify handling and manufacturing.
Masking of Taste/Odor: Encapsulation or coating effectively masks unpleasant characteristics of drugs.
Applications:
Controlled-release formulations (e.g., extended-release tablets).
Combination therapies (incorporating multiple drugs in one dosage form).
Taste masking and pediatric drug formulations.