What type of tablets consist of two same or different active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in a single dose?

Bilayer tablets are specifically designed to contain two active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in a single dose, which can either be the same ingredient or different ingredients. This unique structure allows for distinct release profiles for each layer, accommodating different solubility characteristics or enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of the combined ingredients.

This formulation is particularly useful when one API needs to be released immediately for fast action, while the other may require a delayed release to maintain a sustained therapeutic effect. This dual-layer setup provides flexibility in dosing and can improve patient compliance by reducing the number of pills that need to be taken.

Other tablet types mentioned have different characteristics. Single-layer tablets contain only one active ingredient, multi-layer tablets can include more than two layers but are not focused solely on the dual API concept, and combo tablets typically refer to formulations designed to combine various APIs but may not specifically adhere to the bilayer concept of two distinct layers within a single unit.