Advances in Sustained Release Matrix Systems for Theophylline Delivery

  • Unique Paper ID: 198781
  • Volume: 12
  • Issue: 11
  • PageNo: 11788-11797
  • Abstract:
  • Theophylline is a widely used methylxanthine derivative indicated for the management of chronic respiratory disorders such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, its clinical utility is limited by a short biological half-life and a narrow therapeutic index, which necessitates frequent dosing and careful monitoring of plasma drug concentrations. Sustained release matrix tablet systems have emerged as an effective strategy to overcome these limitations by providing controlled and prolonged drug release, thereby maintaining steady-state plasma levels and improving patient compliance. This review focuses on the formulation and evaluation of sustained release matrix tablets of theophylline. Various types of matrix systems, including hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and lipid-based matrices, are discussed with emphasis on their mechanisms of drug release, such as diffusion, erosion, and swelling. Commonly used polymers like Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, carbopol, and ethyl cellulose are highlighted for their role in modulating drug release profiles. The review also covers different formulation techniques, including direct compression and wet granulation, along with pre- and post-compression evaluation parameters. Furthermore, the application of kinetic models such as Higuchi Model and Korsmeyer–Peppas model in analyzing drug release mechanisms is addressed. Recent advances and challenges associated with sustained release formulations of theophylline are also discussed. Overall, sustained release matrix tablets represent a promising approach for optimizing the therapeutic efficacy and safety of theophylline.

Copyright & License

Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

BibTeX

@article{198781,
        author = {Ms. Aditi Badrinath Pungle and Mr. Milke U.R and Dr. Sameer Shakur Sheikh},
        title = {Advances in Sustained Release Matrix Systems for Theophylline Delivery},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {11},
        pages = {11788-11797},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=198781},
        abstract = {Theophylline is a widely used methylxanthine derivative indicated for the management of chronic respiratory disorders such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, its clinical utility is limited by a short biological half-life and a narrow therapeutic index, which necessitates frequent dosing and careful monitoring of plasma drug concentrations. Sustained release matrix tablet systems have emerged as an effective strategy to overcome these limitations by providing controlled and prolonged drug release, thereby maintaining steady-state plasma levels and improving patient compliance.
This review focuses on the formulation and evaluation of sustained release matrix tablets of theophylline. Various types of matrix systems, including hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and lipid-based matrices, are discussed with emphasis on their mechanisms of drug release, such as diffusion, erosion, and swelling. Commonly used polymers like Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, carbopol, and ethyl cellulose are highlighted for their role in modulating drug release profiles. The review also covers different formulation techniques, including direct compression and wet granulation, along with pre- and post-compression evaluation parameters.
Furthermore, the application of kinetic models such as Higuchi Model and Korsmeyer–Peppas model in analyzing drug release mechanisms is addressed. Recent advances and challenges associated with sustained release formulations of theophylline are also discussed. Overall, sustained release matrix tablets represent a promising approach for optimizing the therapeutic efficacy and safety of theophylline.},
        keywords = {Theophylline, Sustained release, Matrix tablet, Controlled drug delivery, Hydrophilic polymers},
        month = {April},
        }

Cite This Article

Pungle, M. A. B., & U.R, M. M., & Sheikh, D. S. S. (2026). Advances in Sustained Release Matrix Systems for Theophylline Delivery. International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology (IJIRT), 12(11), 11788–11797.

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