Advances in Oral Drug Delivery

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Drug Delivery
• Pharmacokinetics

Background:

• The oral route is the most common and preferred method for drug administration due to its non-invasiveness and patient convenience.
• Several factors, including drug solubility, mucosal permeability, and gastrointestinal stability, significantly impact oral drug absorption and bioavailability.
• Understanding physicochemical, biochemical, metabolic, and biological barriers is crucial for overcoming limitations in oral drug delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the physiological and pharmaceutical barriers that influence drug bioavailability via the oral route.
• To discuss conventional and novel drug delivery strategies aimed at enhancing oral drug absorption.
• To address the specific challenges and developmental aspects of pediatric oral formulations.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing research on oral drug absorption barriers.
• Analysis of various pharmaceutical technologies and drug delivery systems.
• Examination of strategies to improve oral bioavailability.

Main Results:

• Identified key physiological and pharmaceutical barriers affecting oral drug absorption.
• Highlighted the role of advanced drug delivery systems (nanocarriers, micelles, cyclodextrins, lipid-based carriers) in enhancing bioavailability.
• Discussed the complexities of developing effective oral formulations for pediatric populations.

Conclusions:

• Overcoming barriers to oral drug absorption requires a multifaceted approach involving advanced drug delivery systems.
• Novel strategies show promise for improving drug bioavailability through the oral route.
• Pediatric oral formulation development presents unique challenges that need specific consideration.