Formulation and Evaluation of Medicated Lozenges: A Comparative Review of Herbal and Non-Herbal Lozenges.

Lozenges are one of the oldest and most widely accepted oral solid dosage forms designed to provide local and, in some cases, systemic therapeutic effects through gradual dissolution in the oral cavity. Their ability to prolong drug residence time in the mouth, improve patient compliance, and mask unpleasant tastes has made them valuable in the management of throat infections, oral disorders, cough, and other conditions. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the formulation and evaluation of medicated lozenges with a comparative emphasis on herbal and non-herbal preparations. The article discusses the historical development of lozenges, their classification based on texture, composition, and site of action, and the role of various excipients in ensuring product stability, palatability, and controlled drug release. Different manufacturing techniques employed for hard, soft, and compressed lozenges are described along with key evaluation parameters including physical characteristics, drug content uniformity, dissolution behavior, stability, and patient acceptability. Furthermore, the review highlights the growing interest in herbal lozenges due to their natural origin, safety profile, and therapeutic potential, while also examining the advantages of conventional non-herbal formulations in terms of standardized dosing and proven clinical efficacy. The comparative assessment indicates that both herbal and non-herbal lozenges offer unique benefits, and their selection depends on therapeutic requirements, formulation feasibility, patient preference, and regulatory considerations. Overall, medicated lozenges continue to represent an effective and patient-friendly platform for oral drug delivery with significant opportunities for future pharmaceutical innovation.