Recent Advances in Gastroretentive Floating Tablets: Formulation Strategies, Polymeric Approaches and in-Vitro Evaluation

Gastroretentive floating tablets have emerged as an important pharmaceutical approach for prolonging gastric residence and achieving controlled release from oral solid dosage forms. Conventional tablets may undergo rapid and variable gastric emptying, which can limit the performance of formulations requiring prolonged exposure to the upper gastrointestinal environment. Floating tablets are designed to overcome this limitation by maintaining an apparent density lower than that of gastric contents, allowing them to remain buoyant for an extended period. Recent investigations have focused on improving floating performance through combinations of natural, semi-synthetic and synthetic polymers, advanced matrix-forming materials, optimized effervescent systems and novel manufacturing techniques. Natural polymers have received increasing attention because of their swelling characteristics, biodegradability and potential pharmaceutical applications, whereas cellulose derivatives and synthetic polymers continue to provide reliable control over matrix formation and release behaviour. This review presents an overview of gastroretentive floating tablets, emphasizing their principles, classification, formulation strategies, polymeric materials, manufacturing techniques and in-vitro evaluation parameters. Important formulation challenges, recent technological advancements and future research directions are also discussed. Particular attention is given to the relationship between floating lag time, total floating duration, swelling behaviour and matrix performance.