Innovative GERD tablet combining acid reduction and improved digestion.

Acid Reflux Breakthrough: New Drug Delivery System Offers Hope

Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Could This Innovative Combination Tablet Be the Answer to Your GERD Symptoms?"

Millions suffer from the discomfort and disruption of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Characterized by heartburn, regurgitation, and a host of other unpleasant symptoms, GERD can significantly impact quality of life. While various treatments exist, a new approach combining two common medications into a single, innovative drug delivery system offers fresh hope for those seeking relief.

Traditional GERD management often involves multiple medications taken at different times, which can be cumbersome and lead to poor patient compliance. This new system, detailed in a research paper from the Department of Pharmaceutics, AISSMS College of Pharmacy, India, seeks to simplify treatment by combining ranitidine and domperidone into one tablet utilizing ion exchange resins.

Ranitidine, known for its ability to lower acid secretion, is paired with domperidone, which enhances gastric motility, potentially addressing two key aspects of GERD in a single dose. The following explores how this novel drug delivery system works, its potential benefits, and what the research reveals about its effectiveness.

How Does This Combination Tablet Work?

Innovative GERD tablet combining acid reduction and improved digestion.

The key to this innovative treatment lies in its unique drug delivery system. The tablet is designed with two distinct release mechanisms: immediate release for ranitidine and sustained release for domperidone. This is achieved through the use of ion exchange resins, which are insoluble polymers that can bind to drugs and control their release rate.

Here’s a breakdown of the process:

Ranitidine (Immediate Release): Bound to a weak cation exchange resin (Indion 294), ranitidine is quickly released into the stomach to provide rapid acid suppression.
Domperidone (Sustained Release): Bound to a strong cation exchange resin (Indion 244), domperidone is released gradually over an extended period, promoting gastric motility and preventing reflux.
The Combination Advantage: By addressing both acid production and gastric motility, the tablet aims to provide more comprehensive relief from GERD symptoms.

The researchers used a batch method to load the drugs onto the ion exchange resins. They then characterized the resulting resinates (drug-resin complexes) using various techniques, including Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD), to confirm the drug-resin interaction and the physical state of the drugs within the resin matrix.

A Promising Step Forward in GERD Management

This research presents a compelling case for the potential of ion exchange resin-based combination drug delivery systems in treating GERD. By combining ranitidine and domperidone into a single tablet with controlled release mechanisms, this innovative approach offers the possibility of improved patient compliance, enhanced therapeutic benefits, and a better quality of life for those struggling with this common condition. While further clinical trials are needed to fully validate these findings, this study represents a significant step forward in the ongoing quest for more effective and convenient GERD treatments.

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Everything You Need To Know

What is the primary goal of the new drug delivery system for GERD?

The primary goal of the new drug delivery system is to provide more effective and convenient treatment for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). This is achieved by combining ranitidine and domperidone into a single tablet, which can potentially improve patient compliance. The system aims to offer enhanced therapeutic benefits and ultimately improve the quality of life for individuals suffering from GERD.

How does the combination tablet work to alleviate GERD symptoms?

The tablet employs a unique drug delivery system. It uses ion exchange resins to control the release of two active ingredients: ranitidine and domperidone. Ranitidine, released immediately, reduces acid secretion. Domperidone, released gradually, enhances gastric motility. This dual-action approach aims to tackle two major aspects of GERD – excessive stomach acid and impaired gastric emptying – in a single dose, providing comprehensive symptom relief.

What roles do ranitidine and domperidone play in this GERD treatment?

Ranitidine is a medication known for its ability to decrease acid secretion in the stomach. In the combination tablet, it is released quickly to provide rapid acid suppression. Domperidone, on the other hand, enhances gastric motility, meaning it helps the stomach empty its contents more efficiently, which prevents reflux. Together, these two medications address the core issues of GERD.

What are ion exchange resins, and how do they contribute to the effectiveness of this treatment?

Ion exchange resins are insoluble polymers used in this drug delivery system to control the release of the medications. The tablet uses two types of resins: a weak cation exchange resin (Indion 294) for ranitidine and a strong cation exchange resin (Indion 244) for domperidone. The resins bind to the drugs and control their release rate, allowing for immediate release of ranitidine for quick acid suppression and sustained release of domperidone over an extended period to improve gastric motility. This controlled release mechanism is key to the effectiveness of the treatment.

What are the potential benefits of this new approach to GERD treatment compared to traditional methods?

Compared to traditional methods, which often involve taking multiple medications at different times, this new approach, which combines ranitidine and domperidone into a single tablet, offers several potential benefits. The main advantage is improved patient compliance because the treatment is simplified. Additionally, the combination of ranitidine and domperidone in a single dose can offer more comprehensive relief from GERD symptoms by addressing both acid production and gastric motility. This can potentially lead to enhanced therapeutic benefits and a better quality of life for patients. While further clinical trials are necessary, this approach represents a significant step forward in GERD treatment.