Particulate and vesicular drug carriers in the management of tuberculosis

Although oral drug therapy for tuberculosis exists and is widely followed, its major drawbacks are lack of patient compliance and development of adverse effects like hepatotoxicity on long term use. Absence of new therapeutic agents and the above mentioned demerits have led to search for alternative methods for delivery of antitubercular agents. Colloidal drug carriers, a popularly utilized delivery system has been deeply explored for the cause. The article discusses the advances in the management of tuberculosis by the use of particulate and vesicular drug carriers by parenteral, inhalational and oral routes. Use of this delivery strategy has led to massive reduction in the dosage resulting in toxicity alleviation. As a number of studies have already been undertaken in experimental models, it will be a promising tool in the prevention of relapse and successful treatment of tuberculosis in patients.