Recent Advances in Taste Masking Technologies for Bitter Drugs: Applications in Orodispersible Tablets

Taste is an important factor affecting the acceptability and compliance of orally administered medicines. Bitter and unpleasant drug substances can be particularly problematic in pediatric, geriatric, and dysphagic patients. Orodispersible tablets (ODTs) are widely used because of their rapid disintegration in the oral cavity, ease of administration, and improved patient convenience; however, direct contact of the drug with taste buds can result in unpleasant taste. Therefore, effective taste masking is essential for the successful development of palatable ODT formulations. Various conventional and advanced approaches, including the use of sweeteners and flavors, polymer coating, microencapsulation, cyclodextrin complexation, ion-exchange resins, solid dispersion, lipid-based systems, and novel drug-delivery technologies, have been investigated for taste masking. The present review discusses the mechanisms of taste perception, major taste-masking technologies, their applications in orodispersible tablets, and commonly used evaluation methods such as sensory evaluation, dissolution testing, and electronic tongue analysis. The advantages and limitations of different approaches are also highlighted. Overall, appropriate selection and optimization of taste-masking technology can improve palatability, patient acceptability, medication adherence, and the therapeutic performance of orodispersible drug-delivery systems.