Advancements in Nanotechnology for Pharmaceutical Taste Masking: A Review on Improving Patient Compliance and Oral Drug Formulations Review Article

Abstract

Successful pharmacotherapy depends on patient cooperation; however, one of the most enduring barriers to adherence, especially in young or elderly patients, is the taste of oral medications. Since effects can differ based on the formulation, age, and even the route of drug administration, conventional taste-masking techniques have been found to be largely ineffective in practice. The limitations of these conventional approaches are examined in this narrative literature review, which also demonstrates how recent developments in nanotechnology offer much more reliable alternatives for development that do not impede patient acceptance. Nano carriers, including liposomal, nanoemulsions, and polymeric nanoparticles, are the best taste-masking agents because they don't affect the release, solubility, or bioavailability of medications. The technologies also enable targeted or controlled drug delivery and circumvent age-dependent swallowing problems. This review demonstrates how Nanotechnology can challenge oral administration paradigms by combining clinical, formulation, and new research data. In addition, it highlights critical research gaps pertaining to cost-effectiveness, regulatory guidance, and sensory evaluation models that must be filled in order to fully implement an operational framework for integrating these technologies into medical practice.