Effervescent tablets are tablets which are designed to break down rapidly when they are dropped into water or another liquid, releasing carbon dioxide in the process. The rapid breakdown causes the tablet to dissolve into a solution, and it often makes the solution frothy or fizzy. These tablets can be used for the administration of various drugs, and they are also used to package some cleaning products, such as the enzymatic cleaners designed for wetsuits.

These tablets are made by compressing the component ingredients into a dense mass, which is packaged in an airtight container or a blister pack. When people want to use them, the tablets can be dropped into water or another fluid to make a solution. Cleaning tablets may be added to laundry or filled tubs of water, depending on the package directions.

From a drug delivery perspective, there are a number of advantages to effervescent tablets. One of the biggest advantages is that they deliver drugs to the body rapidly, because the drug is delivered in the form of a solution which is easy to absorb. Dosage control is also easier, and effervescent tablets can also be used to protect certain ingredients from the highly acidic environment of the stomach, so that the body has a chance to access them.

Large doses of medication can be easily delivered by effervescent tablet, as the patient just needs to drink the glass of fluid. People who have trouble swallowing pills often appreciate medicine made available in the form of effervescent tablets, as it is usually easy to swallow the solution. For people who are experiencing nausea, the effervescence can help to settle the stomach, and the rapid absorption means that even if the patient vomits, some of the drugs will still have reached the body.

The earliest versions of effervescent medications date to the 1700s, when the drugs were delivered in the form of powders which were added to water to make a solution. Powdered forms of effervescent medication continue to be available, but many companies prefer tablets because they are easy to package, in addition to being highly portable. Alka Seltzer is probably the most famous medication packaged in this format.

Consumers should be aware that when regular medications come packaged as effervescent tablets, the inactive ingredients may be different. People who have experienced allergies or adverse reactions to drugs should read the packaging carefully to confirm that the drug is safe to use.