[DDS preparations of drugs for inflammatory bowel disease]

To increase the therapeutic efficiency of the drugs used for inflammatory bowel disease(IBD), DDS technology is useful. Drugs used for IBD are glucocorticosteroids and 5-aminosalicylic acid(5-ASA) and its derivatives. DDS preparations of these drugs are classified according to their delivery mechanisms, i.e., chemical DDS, sustained release DDS and colon delivery system. Recent development of DDS technology has enabled the colon delivery of these drugs. They are 1)pH sensitive device, 2) time-controlled device, 3)polymer coating device that is degradable by intestinal microflora and 4)pressure-controlled device. Several DDS preparations of prednisolone and 5-ASA and their pharmacokinetic characteristics are described precisely.