Oral Drug Delivery Technologies

The most basic method of administering drugs is through oral delivery. Swallowing pills and tablets is convenient and easy for patients to self-administer. However, significant challenges remain with getting the active drug substance to effectively reach the intended site of action in the body. Various advances have been made in oral delivery technologies to improve bioavailability and targeting.

One approach is through the use of advanced formulations to protect drugs from degradation in the stomach. Enteric coatings prevent dissolution of the drug payload in the acidic environment of the stomach, allowing it to safely pass through to the higher pH of the intestines where absorption takes place. This helps improve stability for acid-labile drugs. Other formulation techniques like nanoparticle encapsulation of drug substances also serve to shield drugs from harsh gastric conditions.

Other newer technologies focus on modulating drug release behavior once the formulation reaches the intestines. Many drugs have very short “windows of absorption” as they pass through the gut, so controlled-release formulations aim to extend drug availability over a longer period. Timed-release and pulsatile release are examples of delivery systems that modulate drug release rates for improved dosing schedules. Targeted release using enzymes or pH responsiveness helps ensure drugs are released predominantly in the desired segments of the gastrointestinal tract.

Transdermal Drug Delivery Technologies

Bypassing Drug Delivery Technologies and targeting transdermal or skin delivery is another active area of advancement. The skin, being the largest organ of the body, provides a non-invasive route for continuous drug administration. However, its strong impermeability requires specialized technologies to facilitate transport of drugs across the skin barrier.

One approach uses iontophoresis, which applies a low electric current to help drive ionized or charged drug molecules into the body. Microneedle arrays create temporary nanopores in the outermost skin layers through which drug payloads can more readily permeate into deeper tissue. Another method employs lipid-based or polymer-based nanoparticles and nanoemulsions to encapsulate drug cargo. The nanoparticles are engineered with surface properties that enhance their transport through follicular and intercellular routes in the skin.

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Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravina-pandya-1a3984191)