A Review on Osmotically Regulated Systems

Osmotic devices are most promising strategy based systems for controlled drug delivery. They are among the most reliable controlled drug delivery systems and could be employed as oral drug delivery systems or implant able devices. Osmotic pumps offer many advantages over other controlled drug delivery systems, i.e. they are easy to formulate and simple in operation, improve patient compliance with reduced dosing frequency and more consistent and prolonged therapeutic effect with uniform blood concentration. Drugs can be delivered in a controlled pattern over a long period of time by the process of osmosis. Osmotic pumps consist of an inner core containing drug and osmogens, coated with a semi permeable membrane. As the core absorbs water, it expands in volume, which pushes the drug solution out through the delivery ports. This article highlights the principle of osmosis, materials used for fabrication of pumps, types of pumps, advantages, disadvantages, and marketed products of this system.