Multiparticulate dosage forms are receiving a great deal of attention as alternative system for oral drug delivery. The present review outlines the theory behind the pellet formation, its growth mechanism, its purposes and advantages. The techniques namely extrusion-spheronization, the most widely used pelletization technique in the pharmaceutical industry as it is a robust, simple, fast processing and reproducible pellet production process, have been described along with parameters affecting pelletization. Extrusion spheronization is widely utilized in formulation of immediate release, sustained release and controlled release delivery systems. Evaluation of the pellets is discussed with reference to the size distribution, shape, surface morphology, specific surface area, friability, tensile strength, density, porosity, disintegration time and in vitro dissolution studies of pellets. This review focuses on the extrusion-spheronization techniques of pelletization with its merits, process mechanisms, process variables and pellets characterization, as a tool in the multiparticulate drug delivery system.
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