Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026

Polymalic Acid-based Nano Biopolymers for Targeting of Multiple Tumor Markers: An Opportunity for Personalized Medicine?
Published on: June 13, 2014
Polymorphism engineering of mefenamic acid for enhanced pharmacokinetic performance
Parteek Prasher1, Mousmee Sharma2
1Department of Chemistry, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun, 248007, India.
Abstract:
Mefenamic acid, a BCS Class II drug, continues to face the longstanding challenges related to its suboptimal solubility and variable absorption, which necessitates frequent dosing of the drug resulting in ulcerogenicity. Guided by its polymorphic forms, the co-crystallization of mefenamic acid offers a unique advantage over the other advanced formulation strategies, including hydrotropy, nanosizing, and complexation for improving the drug bioavailability. However, the contemporary research limited only to the proof-of-concept studies fails to provide a clinical evidence or translational insights, which necessitates the rational design of synthons and engineering of the solid-state landscape of the drug for developing the co-crystallization formulation of mefenamic acid. This commentary provides critical insights into the polymorphism-driven co-crystal design of mefenamic acid aimed at filling the critical gaps in scalability and clinical translation.
Insights
Mefenamic acid co-crystals, guided by its polymorphic forms, offer improved bioavailability over other methods. Rational design is key for clinical translation and overcoming solubility challenges.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Solid-State Chemistry
- Drug Delivery
Background:
- Mefenamic acid, a BCS Class II drug, exhibits poor solubility and variable absorption, leading to frequent dosing and ulcerogenicity.
- Current advanced formulation strategies like hydrotropy, nanosizing, and complexation have limitations.
- Polymorphism-driven co-crystallization presents a promising alternative for enhancing mefenamic acid bioavailability.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Metabolism: Overview
Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Polymorphism, Amorphism and Pseudopolymorphism
Some polymorphic crystals possess lower aqueous solubility than their amorphous counterparts, leading to incomplete absorption. For instance, the oral suspension of Chloramphenicol, which...
Pharmaceutical Alternatives: Polymorphic Form-Related and Particle Size-Related Therapeutic Nonequivalence
Impact of Pharmacokinetic–Pharmacodynamic Models: Regulatory Decisions
Pharmacogenetics of Phase I Enzymes: Cytochrome P450 Isozymes
