Multiparticulate systems containing 5-aminosalicylic acid for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

In recent years, many achievements have been realized in the therapy of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) although its etiology remains unknown. Thus IBD treatment is symptomatic and targets general inflammatory mechanisms. Oral formulations containing 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) have become the standard therapy for mild-to-moderate IBD.

This article is a review of recently published research dealing with new 5-ASA dosage forms. Thus promising candidates for IBD treatment evaluated in vitro are reported; systems tested in vivo in trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in rats are mentioned; and 5-ASA formulations used in clinical studies are presented. Moreover, all oral dosage forms containing 5-ASA or its prodrugs are reviewed; their characteristics and utilization in IBD treatment are discussed.

In several clinical studies, it has been shown that multiparticulates such as pellets offer more advantages as compared with single unit forms, that is, coated tablets. Prolonged presence close to the site of the action, improved drug bioavailability, and easier administration of large drug doses belong to the benefits of pellets.