Table 3.

Advantages and disadvantages of orodispersible tablets for the preparation of age-appropriate products.

Product characteristic	Advantages	Disadvantages
Efficacy/acceptability
Dosage		Various dosage strengths required
Preparation	Water is not required Swallowing is avoided Flexibility of administration	Lack of mechanical strength
Compliance	Preferred over conventional formulations	Controlled-release is challenging Taste masking is challenging
Safety profile
Bioavailability	May be improved by buccal absorption
Excipients		Excipients of unknown safety profile may be required
Stability		Packaging and storage conditions can be critical
Medication error		Retention time in mouth may alter bioavailability
Patient access
Manufacturability		High doses may not be incorporated
Affordability		Technologies subjected to intellectual property rights