Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research

The limited bioavailability observed in many contemporary pharmaceuticals can often be attributed to their poor oral solubility. A significant proportion of new chemical entities (NCEs) and recently approved active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) fall into Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) Class II and Class IV, characterized by low solubility in aqueous environments. This challenge has led to an increased demand for effective strategies to enhance solubility and, consequently, bioavailability. Since its serendipitous discovery in 1783, the use of cocrystals has been explored to address various physicochemical issues associated with suboptimal performance in both oral and other delivery routes. Cocrystals offer benefits beyond mere dissolution enhancement; they also improve tabletability, flow properties, and physicochemical stability against environmental factors such as light. The versatility of cocrystals extends to the formulation of fixed-dose combinations, enabling the concurrent delivery of multiple drugs. This review aims to elucidate the critical factors in selecting appropriate coformers, suitable preparation methods, and the analysis of cocrystals formed from APIs and coformers. Additionally, the review discusses the advantages that cocrystal technology offers within the pharmaceutical industry.