Pharmaceutically engineered olfactory-masking agents: Innovating oral drug delivery through multisensory excipient...

Enhancing patient adherence to oral medication administration is still exceedingly difficult, especially for sensitive, elderly, and pediatric groups. Techniques for disguising taste are widely known, but olfactory modulation, which is a crucial factor in determining palatability and adherence, has received little attention. This review integrates concepts from formulation science, medicinal chemistry, and sensory neuroscience to examine the new subject of scent-masking through creative excipient techniques. We explore the physiological processes implicated in scent-triggered aversion and offer mechanistic insights into the effect of olfactory perception on medication tolerance. In order to reduce offensive odours, the review focuses on important excipient technologies that encapsulate, absorb, or change volatile substances, such as cyclodextrins, aroma-blocking polymers, lipid-based carriers, and natural odour-neutralizers. The dual function of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) and advanced microencapsulation in odour control and controlled medication release is reviewed. We also evaluate how pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and formulation stability are affected by excipient-API interactions. Analytical methods for assessing scent-masking efficacy are examined, including spectroscopy, thermogravimetric measurement, and electronic tongue (e-tongue). Scent-masked formulations have been shown to enhance adherence and increase therapeutic results in clinical case studies. We also go over regulatory issues and the necessity of updating frameworks to deal with olfactory excipients. Potential future developments in pharmaceutical design are examined, including bioresponsive fragrance-release devices, AI-driven scent modeling, and 3D-printed dosage forms. This research highlights a paradigm shift toward patient-centric oral formulations that maximize therapeutic efficacy through sensory engineering by promoting multisensory-driven excipient innovation, particularly in fragrance modulation.