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Published on: September 2, 2009
Multiparticulate formulation approach to pulsatile drug delivery: current perspectives.
Pallab Roy1, Aliasgar Shahiwala
1National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Ahmedabad. C/o. B.V. Patel Pharmaceutical Education and Research Development Centre, Ahmedabad, India. pallab_niperahm@ymail.com
Summary
Pulsatile drug delivery systems mimic natural bodily functions for targeted release. Multiparticulate systems offer advantages over single-unit forms for improved drug bioavailability and predictable release kinetics.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Chronopharmaceutics
Background:
- Physiological functions rely on precise timing and location of bioactive substance release.
- Pulsatile drug delivery, featuring a programmed lag phase, aligns with chronotherapeutic principles and mimics biological systems.
- Multiparticulate dosage forms are increasingly preferred over single-unit systems for pulsatile delivery due to enhanced benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review key multiparticulate pulsatile drug delivery systems.
- To explore mechanisms controlling drug release in these systems, including swelling, rupturing, dissolution, erosion, and altered membrane permeability.
- To discuss advancements in floating, gastric-retained multiparticulate pulsatile systems and their industrial applications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of multiparticulate pulsatile drug delivery systems.
- Analysis of release control mechanisms: swelling/rupturing, dissolution/erosion, coating permeability changes.
- Examination of floating and gastric retention technologies for pulsatile delivery.
Main Results:
- Multiparticulate systems offer advantages like predictable gastric emptying, reduced dose dumping, flexible release, and improved bioavailability with lower variability.
- Key release mechanisms involve physical or chemical changes in the dosage form or its coating.
- Development of low-density, floating multiparticulate systems enhances gastric retention for pulsatile release.
Conclusions:
- Multiparticulate pulsatile drug delivery systems represent a significant advancement in pharmaceutical technology.
- These systems offer superior performance characteristics compared to traditional single-unit dosage forms.
- Ongoing research focuses on industrial-scale implementation of novel multiparticulate pulsatile technologies for enhanced therapeutic outcomes.
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