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Gastroretentive drug delivery systems: current developments in novel system design and evaluation
Caragh S Murphy1, Viness Pillay, Yahya E Choonara
1University of the Witwatersrand, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 7 York Road, Parktown, 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa. viness.pillay@wits.ac.za
Current Drug Delivery
|September 16, 2009
Summary
Developing novel polymeric gastroretentive drug delivery systems enhances drug bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy by prolonging gastric residence time. These advanced systems offer promising solutions for drugs with poor absorption.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Efficient delivery of drugs with poor bioavailability or narrow absorption windows remains a significant challenge in the pharmaceutical industry.
- Polymeric-based gastroretentive drug delivery technologies are being developed to overcome these limitations.
- Gastric physiology variations impact drug absorption and gastric retention time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current research and development in polymeric-based gastroretentive drug delivery systems over the last 3-5 years.
- To discuss polymeric materials used in designing these systems.
- To outline techniques for evaluating gastroretentive technologies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent advancements (3-5 years) in gastroretentive drug delivery.
- Analysis of various gastroretentive mechanisms (buoyant, high-density, magnetic, mucoadhesive, swelling/expanding systems, superporous hydrogels).
- Discussion of biocompatible polymeric materials and gastric motility retarding agents.
Main Results:
- Gastroretentive drug delivery systems show promising results in optimizing drug bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy.
- Various polymeric materials and mechanisms are employed to prolong gastric residence time.
- Pharmaceutical evaluation techniques are crucial for assessing the performance of these systems.
Conclusions:
- Polymeric-based gastroretentive drug delivery systems represent a significant advancement in pharmaceutical technology.
- These systems offer a viable strategy for improving the delivery of challenging drug compounds.
- Continued research in materials and evaluation methods will further enhance gastroretentive drug delivery efficacy.
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