Polymeric Frontiers in Gastroretentive Drug Delivery: From Benchside Innovation to Clinical Reality Review Article
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Abstract
This review evaluates recent advancements in floating Gastro-retentive drug delivery systems, or GRDDS and emphasises the importance of polymers in enhancing buoyancy, gastric retention, and controlled drug release. . The literature was reviewed using a focused narrative approach covering peer‑reviewed research articles published between 2015 and 2025, selected from major scientific databases based on relevance to polymer‑based GRDDS design and performance. It emphasises the need for a cogent understanding that links the properties of polymers in GRDDS to their functionality. Examined are the effects of various synthetic and natural polymers on swelling behaviour, mucoadhesiveness, and matrix integrity, such as xanthan gum, polyethylene oxide (PEO), and hypromellose (HPMC). By identifying relationships between polymer characteristics and drug retention capacities, the review offers a methodology for optimising polymer selection to improve bioavailability and therapeutic outcomes for drugs requiring prolonged stomach residence. Enhancing patient compliance and medication delivery effectiveness is the ultimate objective of this polymer-driven approach.
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