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Abstract

A new era in the successful creation of controlled release formulations with many properties to offer an effective drug delivery mechanism began with the introduction of bilayer tablets. Bilayer tablets are superior to conventional mouthwash, sprays, and gels. Therefore, using a bilayer pill for analgesic and anti-inflammatory purposes is rather different. Two incompatible substances can be separated using bi-layer tablets, two treatments can be released successively, or sustained release tablets with an immediate release dose in the first layer and a maintenance dose in the second layer can be made. The flaws of a single layered tablet are addressed by the improved and practical bilayer tablet technology. In order to solve common bilayer issues such layer separation, inadequate hardness, imprecise individual layer control of weight, and cross contamination, this article discusses why Development and production of quality bi-layer tablets must be carried out on unique tablet presses due to issues with the layers, decreased yield, etc. thereby a high production output is needed, utilizing an altered tablet press may not be the best choice for producing a superior bilayer tablet under GMP conditions.

Keywords

Bilayer Tablet, Flotting Drug Delivery System, OROS® Push Pull Technology

Introduction

These days, both industrialized and developing nations are moving toward a combine approach to treat various ailments and diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension, which are long-term treatments. More than 90% of the synthesized phrases are consumed orally. It proves that experimenters primarily drawn to this area and that this formulation class is the most widely used globally. Modified release medication products are designed to maximize remedial authority by providing delayed, continuous medication distribution during the whole dose period, resulting in lower patient compliance and convenience1. Skye Pharma PLC used the bilayer tablet concept in its Geomatrix tablet, which is made up of several layers. The framework permits the integration of many medications in the doseform. The creation of layers from various polymers permits manipulation over multiple ratecont rolling polymers, allowing for various drug delivery methods for one or more drugssuch as bolus release or pH-dependent polymers for targeted drug administration in the GI tract such as bolus release followed by a constant rate or pH-dependent polymers for targeted medication delivery in the GI tract. The manufacturing of bilayered tablets is obviously fraught with a variety of problems. Although it has been noted that Proving how the mechanical strength of stacked tablets has no effect on drug release may improve system characterization by sharing insight on how various layers stick to one another. Tablets with two layers are created using a  one layer that releases the drug immediately and a third layer that releases the drug later, either in a sustained release process or as a second dosage2.

Need of bilayer tablets

  • Controlling the delivery rate of either single or two different active API ‘S. To modify the total face area available for API caste either by sand wiching with one or two inactive layers inorder to achieve swellabl (or) erodible walls for modified release.
  • Separating suitable active pharmaceutical elements (APIs) from one another and using the functional properties of the other caste to regulate the release of API from that caste.3,4

Ideal characteristics of bilayer tablet

  • A bi-layer tablet should have elegant product identity while free of defects like chips, cracks, discoloration and contamination.
  • It should have sufficient strength to withstand mechanical shock during its production packaging, shipping and dispensing.
  • It should have the chemical and physical stability to maintain its physical attributes over time. The bi-layer tablet must be able to release the medicinal agents in a predictable and reproducible manner.
  • It must have a chemical stability shelf-life, so as not to follow alteration of the medicinal agents.5

Objectives of bilayer tablets

  • To control the delivery rate of either single or two different active pharmaceutical constituents. To separate inharmonious Active pharmaceutical component from each other, to control the release of API from one subcaste by exercising the functional property of the external subcaste.
  • To modify the total face area available for API subcaste either by beach wiching withone or two inactive layers in order to achieve swellable or erodible walls for modified release.
  • To extend the lifecycle of pharmaceutical products, give set cure combinations of various active pharmaceutical elements, create innovative medicine delivery methods akin to buccal mucoadhesive administration systems for biting devices, and createfloating tablets for the delivery of gastro-forgetful medications.6,7,8,9

ADVANTAGES

  • Bi-Layer prosecution with voluntary singlelayer conversion tackle.
  • The cost is lower compared to all other oral lozenge forms.
  • Greatest chemical and microbial stability over all oral lozenge forms.
  • Expostulation suitable odor and bitter taste can be masked by sheeting fashion.
  • Flexible Concept.
  • They're a unit lozenge form and offer the topmost capabilities of all oral lozenge
  • forms for the topmost cure perfection and the least contentvariability.
  • Easy to swallow with lower tendency to hang- up.
  • Suitable for large scale product. swellable or erodible walls for modified release.
  • To administer fixed cure combinations of different active pharmaceutical constituents, protract the medicine product lifecycle, fabricaten ovel medicine delivery systems similar as biting device buccal mucoadhesive delivery systems, and floating tablets for gastro-forgetful medicine delivery.10

Types Of Bilayer Tablet

  • press with displacement monitoring.
  • Single sided tablet press.
  • Double sided tablet press
  • Bilayer tablet Multilayer compression basics.

Single Sided Tablet Press

Various types of bilayer presses have been designed over the times. The simplest design is single sided press with both chambers of the double confluent separated from each other. Each chamber in staidness fed or forcefed with a different cream, thus producing the 2 individual layers of the tablet. When the color passes under the confluent, it's at first loaded with the first caste of cream followed by the alternate- caste cream also the entire tablet is compressed in one or two step. This is the most straightforward method of creating a bilayer tablet since the two layers in the color mix slightly at their interface and, in the best situations, connect well enough to prevent caste separation during tablet production.

Double sided tablet press

At most of the double sided tablet press, which automates product control use the contraction force to cover and control the weight of the tablet weights. The effective contraction force wielded on each individual tablet with the help of the contraction system at the main contraction of the subcaste. When necessary, this mechanism helps to adjust thedies' fill depth and reject out the forbearance tablets.

ADVANTAGES

  • Low contraction force wielded on the first subcaste to avoid chapping and separation of the individual subcaste.
  • Increased dwell time at precompression of both first and alternate subcaste to give
  • sufficient hardness at maximum turret speed.
  • Maximum forestallment of cross impurity between two layers.
  • A clear visual separation between the two layers. relegation weight monitoring for accurate and independent weight control of the individual subcaste. Maximized yield.
  • Separation of the two individual layers is due to inadequate cling between the two layers during final contraction of bi-layer tablet

Bilayer tablet press with displacement monitoring

The principle of bilayer tablet press is fundamentally different from the principle of compression force. In this case the accuracy increases with reduced compression force. At higher production speed the risk of capping and separation increases, but can be reduced by sufficient dwell time a tall four compression stages.

ADVANTAGES

  • Displacement weight monitoring /control for accurate independent weight control of the individual layers.
  • Low compression force exerted on the first layer to avoid chapping and separation of the 2 individual layers.
  • Increased dwell time at precompression of both first and second layer to provide sufficient hardness at maximum turret speed.
  • Maximum prevention of cross contamination between the layers.
  • A clear visual separation of the layers.
  • Maximized yield

Multilayer compression basics

Presses can be designed specifically for multi subcaste contraction grains leads to unforeseen rise in blood attention, still the blood position is maintained at asteady state as the medicine is released from the sustained grains.11

Various Techniques for Bilayer Tablet

1.OROS® push pull technology

This system consist of mainly two or three layer among which the one or more layer are essential of the drug and other layer are consist of push layer. The drug layer mainly consists of drug along with two or more different agents. Therefore, the drug in this drug layer is in a weakly soluble form. Additionally, there are osmotic and suspending agents.

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2.L-OROS tm technology.

This system used for the solubility issue Alza developed the L-OROS system where a lipid soft gel product containing drug in a dissolved state is initially manufactured and then coated with a barrier membrane, than osmot ic push layer and than a semi permeable membrane, drilled with an exit orifice.

3.EN SO TROL technology

Solubility enhancement of an order of magnitude or to create optimized dosage form Shire laboratory use an integrated approach to drug delivery focusing on identification and incorporation of the identified enhancer into controlled release technologies.

4.Duros technology

The system consists from an outer cylindrical titanium alloy reservoir. This reservoir has high impact strength and protects the drug molecules from enzymes. The Duros technology is the miniature drug dispensing system that opposes like a miniature syringe and reglious minute quantity of concentrated form in continues and consistent from over months or year

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5.Elan drug technologies’ Dual release drug delivery system

(Duredas™ Technology) is a bilayer tablet designed to deliver either immediate or extended release of two different medications or varying release rates of the same medication within a single dosage form. Instant release can be achieved through a specific tablet preparation method, which involves using granules along with a modified-release hydrophilic matrix complex arranged as distinct layers within the tablet. The inclusion of a blend of hydrophilic polymers imparts the modified-release characteristics to the dosage form.11,12

Preparation

Bilayer tablets are made with one subcaste of drug meant to be released immediately and the other subcaste intended to release the medication later, either as a prolonged release form or as an alternate solution. Separate layers of each medicine may also be compressed to create bilayer tablets containing two unsuitable medicines. It reduces the surface area where the two layers touch.

Compaction

It is essential to meet conditions like adequate stiffness and a perfect medicines melting profile in order to create a tablet formulation that is acceptable. It can be difficult for formulators to achieve those demands because of the drug's poor flow and distinctive properties, especially with bilayer tablet formulations involving a second compression. The material's bonds and compressibility play a big role in the extent to which it presses.

Consolidation

It is the feature of the material wherein interparticulate interaction (bonding) increases mechanical strength. One of the main factors influencing tablets delaminating was determined to be the compression force on layer 13

Various Approaches of Bilayer Tablets

1. A floating medication delivery device

These are intended to have a low viscosity, so when given, they will float on stomach contents until the system malfunctions or the device absorbs enough fluid to lose its buoyancy and become easy to expel from the stomach through an action that aids the emptying of the stomach. The bilayer tablet's construction allows the drug to be given quickly from one layer, giving it a quick starts of result, while the other layer floats in the stomach.

2.Polymeric Bio adhesive System

In a similar way that the outer layer becomes a thick, sticky substance that sticks to the mucus layer or stomach mucosa, these are designed to absorb liquids after administration. Until the adhesive properties wane, this is meant to promote gastric retention. These have been created as two layers: one with bioadhesive characteristics and the other for prompt amount.

 3.Swelling System

For the reason to maintain the ease of taking the lozenge shape, they are designed to be adequately modest in administration. They quickly expand disintegrate, or unfold at ingest to a size that inhibits passage through the pylorus until the necessary quantity of drug has been released. The system might leave the stomach by slowly degrading or splitting into tiny fragments. An instant release layer and a conventional or delayed release layer may be found in a usual bilayer tablet. 13, 14

Evaluation Of Bilayer tablets

General Appearance

The overall look of a tablet, including its visual appeal and quality, is crucial for gaining consumer approval. This encompasses the tablet's dimensions, form, color, whether it has an odor or flavor, surface texture, any physical imperfections, thickness, and the clarity of any associated markings.

Size and Shape

The dimensions and form of the tablet can be specifically detailed and regulated.

Tablet Thickness

The thickness of tablets is a crucial factor in recreating their appearance as well as in the counting process involving filling equipment. Certain filling devices depend on the consistent nature of the tablets as a means for counting. A total of ten tablets were selected, and their consistency was measured with a micrometer.

Weight variation

Established protocols are adhered to as outlined in the approved literature.

Friability

The primary variables that frequently trigger tablets to chip, chop, or break are friction and impact. The friability test tests a tablet's ability to endure abrasion during packaging, transit, and use. It is closely related to tablet hardness handling. For this measurement, the Roche reanimator typically is used. A number of tablets are taken into account and then put into the device, where they roll and are repeatedly hit as they descend six inches with each cycle. The tablets are weighed again after undergoing 100 rotations or four minutes of treatment, and this weight is compared to their initial weight. One measure of tablet friability is the amount of weight lost due to abrasion. A loss of weight not exceeding 1% of the tested tablets is typically deemed acceptable during the friability assessment, and any tablets that are broken or crushed are not collected. Generally, when capping occurs, friability measurements are not taken. Thicker tablets may be less prone to capping, while thinner, larger-diameter tablets frequently exhibit significant cupping, suggesting that tablets with increased thickness experience less internal stress. The weight reduction of the tablet serves as the indicator of variability and is expressed as a percentage. %Friability=1?(lossinweight/ Initial weight) X100

Hardness

The ability of tablets to resist chipping, bruising, or breaking during storage, transport, and use is influenced by their hardness. In the mid-1930s, Monsanto developed and introduced a compact and portable hardness tester. This device is often referred to as the Stokes or Monsanto hardness tester. By applying the force generated via a coil spring perpendicular to the tablet's surface, the instrument finds the force need to crack the tablet. The advanced, newly invented equipment from Cobb Pfizer and Schleuniger is used to assess the force needed smash the tablet Assessing hardness, more commonly referred to as crushing strength, occurs during the tablet manufacturing process and serves to determine whether the tablet press needs adjustments in pressure. A drug that is too soft might not resist handling, while one that is too hard might not dissolve in the allotted amount of time to meet dissolution criteria. during final procedures such as shipping, packing, and coating. With a crushing strength of 4 kg, the force required for crushing the pill is measured in 4 kilograms. typically recognized as the minimum for acceptable tablets.

REFERENCES

  1. Kulkarni A and Bhatia M. Development and evaluation of bilayer floating tablets of atenolol and lovastatin for biphasic release profile. Iran J Pharm Res, 2009; 8(1): 15- 25.
  2. Banker S, Gilbert J, Rhodes T. Christopher, Modern Pharmaceutics, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, p.575.
  3. Balaji G, Prakash GK, Suresh K and Venkatesh B. Bilayer tablet are view. IJRRPAS, 2013; 3(4): 488-506.
  4. Ali SH and Reddy BR. Formulation and evaluation of bilayer tablet of atorvastatin and pioglitazone for metabolic disorder. IAJPS, 2014; 1(6): 448-455.
  5. Muzzio FJ, Lerapetritou M, Portillo P, Llusa M, Levin M, Morris KR, Soh LPJ, McCann RJ, Alexander A. A forward-looking approach to process scale-up for solid dose manufacturing. In: Augsburger, L.L., Hoag, S.W. (Eds.),Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Tablets, Volume3: Manufacture and Process Control; 2008.
  6. Nirmal J, Saisivam S, Peddanna C, Muralidharan S, Nagarajan M et al. Bilayer tablets of atorvastatin calcium and nicotinic acid:formulation and evaluation. Chem. Pharm. Bull.2008; 56: 1455–1458.
  7. Efentakis M, Peponaki C. Formulation study and evaluation of matrix andthree-layer tablet sustained drug delivery systems based on carbopols with isosorbite mononitrate. AAPS PharmSciTech. 2008; 9: 917–923. Page 13 of 14 - Integrity Submission Submission ID trn:oid:::1:3248563219
  8. Phaechamud T. Variables influencing drug release from layered matrix system comprising hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. AAPS Pharm SciTech. 2008; 9: 668–674
  9. Maggi L, Segale L, Conti S, Ochoa Machiste E,Conte U. Preparation and evaluation of release characteristics of 3TabGum, a novel chewing device. Eur. J. Pharm. Sci. 2005;4: 487–493.
  10. Sharma V, Nagpal M, Jain UK, Mangotia A and Kumar R. Antidiabetic drug and combination therapy. ARPB, 2013; 3(2): 389-394.
  11. DURECT: Science and Technologies [online].2011 [cited 2012 Mar 1]. Available from URL:http://www.durect.com
  12. Shirwalkar, A. A., Kumar, S. M., Jacob, S, Recent developments in float ing drug delivery systems for gast ric retention of drugs, an overview. Indian drugs.43(9), 2006, p.697-704
  13. Chaudhari S, Bawaskar M and Shirsat A. Formulation and evaluation of player floating tablet of carvedilol phosphate. JDDT, 2012; 2(5): 9-19.
  14. Lachman L, Liberman H and Kanig J.The theory and practice of industrial pharmacy. Varghese Publishing House, Mumbai, 1987; 3rd Edn:297.
  15. Singh B. N., Kim, K.H., Float ing drug delivery systems an approach to oral controlle drug delivery via gastricretention, J Cont rol Rel 63, 2000, p.235-59.
  16. Shirwalkar, A. A., Kumar, S. M., Jacob, S, Recent developments in float ing drug delivery systems for gastric retention of drugs, an overview. Indian drugs.43(9), 2006, p.697-704.

Reference

  1. Kulkarni A and Bhatia M. Development and evaluation of bilayer floating tablets of atenolol and lovastatin for biphasic release profile. Iran J Pharm Res, 2009; 8(1): 15- 25.
  2. Banker S, Gilbert J, Rhodes T. Christopher, Modern Pharmaceutics, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, p.575.
  3. Balaji G, Prakash GK, Suresh K and Venkatesh B. Bilayer tablet are view. IJRRPAS, 2013; 3(4): 488-506.
  4. Ali SH and Reddy BR. Formulation and evaluation of bilayer tablet of atorvastatin and pioglitazone for metabolic disorder. IAJPS, 2014; 1(6): 448-455.
  5. Muzzio FJ, Lerapetritou M, Portillo P, Llusa M, Levin M, Morris KR, Soh LPJ, McCann RJ, Alexander A. A forward-looking approach to process scale-up for solid dose manufacturing. In: Augsburger, L.L., Hoag, S.W. (Eds.),Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Tablets, Volume3: Manufacture and Process Control; 2008.
  6. Nirmal J, Saisivam S, Peddanna C, Muralidharan S, Nagarajan M et al. Bilayer tablets of atorvastatin calcium and nicotinic acid:formulation and evaluation. Chem. Pharm. Bull.2008; 56: 1455–1458.
  7. Efentakis M, Peponaki C. Formulation study and evaluation of matrix andthree-layer tablet sustained drug delivery systems based on carbopols with isosorbite mononitrate. AAPS PharmSciTech. 2008; 9: 917–923. Page 13 of 14 - Integrity Submission Submission ID trn:oid:::1:3248563219
  8. Phaechamud T. Variables influencing drug release from layered matrix system comprising hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. AAPS Pharm SciTech. 2008; 9: 668–674
  9. Maggi L, Segale L, Conti S, Ochoa Machiste E,Conte U. Preparation and evaluation of release characteristics of 3TabGum, a novel chewing device. Eur. J. Pharm. Sci. 2005;4: 487–493.
  10. Sharma V, Nagpal M, Jain UK, Mangotia A and Kumar R. Antidiabetic drug and combination therapy. ARPB, 2013; 3(2): 389-394.
  11. DURECT: Science and Technologies [online].2011 [cited 2012 Mar 1]. Available from URL:http://www.durect.com
  12. Shirwalkar, A. A., Kumar, S. M., Jacob, S, Recent developments in float ing drug delivery systems for gast ric retention of drugs, an overview. Indian drugs.43(9), 2006, p.697-704
  13. Chaudhari S, Bawaskar M and Shirsat A. Formulation and evaluation of player floating tablet of carvedilol phosphate. JDDT, 2012; 2(5): 9-19.
  14. Lachman L, Liberman H and Kanig J.The theory and practice of industrial pharmacy. Varghese Publishing House, Mumbai, 1987; 3rd Edn:297.
  15. Singh B. N., Kim, K.H., Float ing drug delivery systems an approach to oral controlle drug delivery via gastricretention, J Cont rol Rel 63, 2000, p.235-59.
  16. Shirwalkar, A. A., Kumar, S. M., Jacob, S, Recent developments in float ing drug delivery systems for gastric retention of drugs, an overview. Indian drugs.43(9), 2006, p.697-704.

Photo
Ashish Sonawane
Corresponding author

Loknete Dr. J D Pawar College of Pharmacy.

Photo
Yashpal More
Co-author

Loknete Dr. J D Pawar College of Pharmacy.

Photo
Vaibhav Patil
Co-author

Loknete Dr. J D Pawar College of Pharmacy.

Ashish Sonawane*, Yashpal More, Vaibhav Patil, Review on Bilayar Tablet, Int. J. of Pharm. Sci., 2025, Vol 3, Issue 5, 3566-3574. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15478930

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