PriMera Scientific Surgical Research and Practice (ISSN: 2836-0028)

Review Article

Volume 7 Issue 3

Recent Innovations in Floating Bilayer Tablet Technology: Formulation Strategies, Release Modulation, and Clinical Relevance

K Chandramohan, R Nepolean, P Vallarasu*, D Anbarasu and N Jayaram

March 02, 2026

DOI : 10.56831/PSSRP-07-251

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Abstract

Floating bilayer tablets (FBT’s) comprise a complex gastroretentive drug delivery system, which counteracts the several shortcomings associated with conventional oral dosage forms. These deficiencies include gastric transit time variability, absorptive window constraint and pH dependence of solubility. By making use of the gastric retention capability of buoyancy in combination with the architecture of a two layer system, FBTs enable the biphasic release of drugs, an immediate release system for therapeutic onset followed by a floating paradigm designed for a prolonged drug release in the proximal gastrointestinal tract. This manuscript provides a comprehensive and analytical presentation of the FBT technology, including the basic principles underlying the use of gastroretention and the underlying mechanism details for buoyancy, relevant material science issues, and modern manufacturing techniques. Recent technological breakthroughs such as nanostructured bilayer systems, stimuli responsive polymers, ultra low density matrices, 3D printing and supported formulation modelling are critically reviewed in terms of their contribution to formulation robustness, predictability of release of clinical efficacy. The preclinical and clinical relevance as well as safety, stability, regulatory issues and future research initiatives are also discussed. Overall, floating bilayer tablets show great promise as a patient centric, next generation oral delivery system, which shows great potential for personalized and controlled drug release.

Keywords: Floating Bilayer Tablet; Gastro retentive delivery; Biphasic Tablet; New formulation technology

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