Polyethylene glycol (PEG): a versatile polymer for pharmaceutical applications.

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a USFDA-approved polymer widely used in drug delivery due to its tunable properties and safety.
• Existing literature extensively covers PEG's properties and applications but lacks specific guidance on grade selection for formulators.
• The selection of appropriate excipients, like PEG, is critical in pharmaceutical formulation development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide preliminary guidelines for formulators on selecting appropriate polyethylene glycol (PEG) grades.
• To base PEG grade selection on physico-chemical properties and functional applications in pharmaceuticals.
• To summarize the state-of-the-art use of PEG in therapeutic applications, including clinical and commercial status.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on PEG properties, applications, and safety data.
• Analysis of in vitro and in vivo data to guide PEG grade selection for specific pharmaceutical applications.
• Summarization of clinical and commercial use of PEG in therapeutics.

Main Results:

• The article offers practical guidelines for choosing specific PEG grades based on their characteristics and intended use.
• It highlights the importance of considering PEG's physico-chemical properties for optimal drug delivery system design.
• The review also touches upon toxicities associated with different PEG grades and impurities.

Conclusions:

• Proper selection of polyethylene glycol (PEG) grade is crucial for effective pharmaceutical formulation and drug delivery.
• This guidance aids formulators in making informed decisions regarding PEG excipient selection.
• Further research into PEG-related toxicities and impurity profiles is warranted.