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Drug transfer through mucus

K Khanvilkar1, M D Donovan, D R Flanagan

  • 1University of Iowa, College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutics, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.

Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews
|May 23, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Mucus, a protective bodily fluid, can hinder drug absorption and action. This review examines mucus properties, permeability, and drug binding to understand its impact on drug delivery and efficacy.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Science
  • Pharmaceutics
  • Drug Delivery

Background:

  • Mucus is a complex mixture protecting epithelial surfaces but can impede drug absorption.
  • Understanding mucus is crucial for optimizing drug administration via various routes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the nature of mucus in normal and diseased states.
  • To discuss mucus permeability and its impact on drug absorption and action.
  • To analyze drug binding to mucus and its effect on drug permeability.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on mucus properties and drug interactions.
  • Discussion of methods for studying mucus permeability (e.g., using native or purified gels).
  • Analysis of models for permeation data and drug-mucus binding studies.

Main Results:

  • Mucus composition and properties vary in normal and diseased states, affecting drug interactions.
  • Drug permeability through mucus is influenced by mucus characteristics and drug properties.
  • Drug binding to mucus is a significant factor altering effective drug concentration and permeability.

Conclusions:

  • Mucus significantly impacts drug absorption and action, necessitating consideration in drug formulation and delivery.
  • Methods for studying mucus permeability and drug binding are essential for predicting in vivo drug performance.
  • Further research into drug-mucus interactions can lead to improved therapeutic outcomes.

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