Table 3.

Key characteristics of orodispersible dosage formulations

ODF	ODT
Hydrated by saliva without the need for water.	Some do not need to be taken with water.
No choking risk compared with conventional solid dosage forms.	Reduced risk of choking.
Convenient and easy administration.	Instruction not to chew or swallow must be given.
Dose accuracy compared with liquid dosage forms.	Dose accuracy compared with liquid dosage forms.
Convenience of single-dose sachet or multi-unit film packaging.	Multi-dose blister packs or bottles.
Large surface area that allows rapid disintegration and dissolution in the buccal cavity.	Take longer to disintegrate than thin film preparations.
Thin, flexible stable; can be manufactured in a range of shapes and sizes.	May be fragile and brittle.
Easily transported and stored.	More stringent storage and transportation requirements compared with ODFs.
Reduces hepatic first-pass effect when the active substance absorption occurs mainly through the oral mucosae.	Hepatic first-pass effect may still be a consideration.
Patient preference compared with conventional solid dosage forms.	Patient preference compared with conventional solid dosage forms.
Improved compliance in special patient populations.	Improved compliance in special patient populations.
Require moisture-protecting packaging.	Issues of fragility and friability during manufacture, storage, handling, and administration.
Some technical challenges in achieving dose uniformity.	More complicated and expensive manufacturing processes compared with ODFs.
Taste masking may be necessary to ensure patient acceptability and compliance.	Taste masking may be necessary to ensure patient acceptability and compliance.
High doses cannot be incorporated.	More flexible dose loading capacity.

ODF = orodispersible film; ODT = orodispersible tablet.