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Orotransmucosal drug delivery systems: a review
N V Satheesh Madhav1, Ashok K Shakya, Pragati Shakya
1Faculty of Pharmacy, Dehradoon Institute of Technology, Mussorie Diversion Road, Bagawantpur, Makkawala, Uttarakhand 248009 Dehradoon, India.
Summary
Oral mucosal drug delivery offers enhanced bioavailability and rapid action, avoiding first-pass metabolism. However, drug properties and development costs limit its widespread clinical application.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Oral mucosal drug delivery presents an alternative to injectable and enteral routes, enhancing bioavailability through rich blood supply and avoiding hepatic first-pass metabolism.
- This method offers improved drug absorption and prolonged residence time, potentially enabling convenient once or twice daily dosing and rapid onset of action.
- Despite advantages, limitations exist due to oral mucosa characteristics and drug physicochemical properties, restricting the number of commercially available transmucosal products.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of various orotransmucosal routes for drug delivery.
- To highlight the successes and recent advancements in oral transmucosal drug delivery systems.
- To discuss the potential and limitations of oral mucosal drug delivery for systemic administration.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on oral transmucosal drug delivery systems.
- Analysis of different orotransmucosal routes and their suitability for drug administration.
- Evaluation of factors influencing drug absorption and bioavailability via the oral mucosa.
Main Results:
- Oral transmucosal delivery enhances drug bioavailability and absorption rates compared to other routes.
- The oral mucosa provides rapid transport to systemic circulation, bypassing hepatic first-pass metabolism.
- Development costs and drug-specific limitations currently restrict the commercial availability of oral transmucosal products.
Conclusions:
- Oral transmucosal drug delivery is a promising strategy with significant advantages for specific drugs.
- Further research and development are needed to overcome current limitations and expand the application of these systems.
- Advancements in transmucosal technologies hold potential for improved patient compliance and therapeutic outcomes.
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