Oral pulsatile delivery systems based on swellable hydrophilic polymers

Area of Science:

• Polymer Science
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Drug Delivery

Background:

• Swellable hydrophilic polymers exhibit chain relaxation and phase transitions upon hydration.
• These polymers can form gels or undergo swelling, dissolution, and erosion.
• Hydrophilic cellulose derivatives are widely used in pharmaceuticals due to their hydration and biocompatibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review oral pulsatile drug delivery systems.
• To highlight the role of hydrophilic polymers in these systems.
• To focus on systems where polymer swelling, dissolution, and erosion control drug release.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of oral pulsatile delivery systems.
• Analysis of polymer behavior (swelling, dissolution, erosion) in drug delivery.
• Survey of formulation strategies including reservoir, capsular, and osmotic systems.

Main Results:

• Hydrophilic polymers are crucial for controlled drug release in oral pulsatile systems.
• Polymer properties like swelling, dissolution, and erosion dictate release profiles.
• Various design strategies leverage polymer behavior for programmed drug liberation after lag phases.

Conclusions:

• Oral pulsatile delivery systems effectively utilize hydrophilic polymers for programmed drug release.
• Understanding polymer-drug interactions is key to designing effective pulsatile formulations.
• These systems are vital for advancing chronotherapeutic approaches in medicine.