Learn mucosal drug delivery system definition, properties, advantages and disadvantages in novel drug system.
Introduction
A drug can reach to the bloodstream for systemic effects through various routes. The most common is oral administration or oral router. Here the drug is swallowed. Nearly 90% of systemic effect drugs are taken orally.
In mucosal drug delivery system, the drug administered through buccal and sublingual route. Buccal and sublingual routes can quickly absorb drug. The drug absorbed by the reticulated vein below the oral mucosa. This administration avoids hepatic first-pass elimination. The buccal region in the oral mucosal cavity is the most significant administration route for delivering drugs to the systemic circulation.
And the main advantage of oral mucosa is, it has rich blood supply, good permeability and absence of Langerhans cells. This makes it a preferred route. It also minimizes allergic reaction in mucosal drug delivery systems.
Mucosal drug delivery system
It is a method of drug delivery system, where the drug is administrated through mucous membranes. These mucous membranes are presents in oral, buccal, sublingual, nasal, rectal or vaginal areas.
It is an alternative routes of drug administration. Here the drug shows quick effect because it bypasses the digestive system or avoids the hepatic first-pass metabolism and directly reach to blood stream.
Ideal properties of mucosal drug delivery
- Should stick to the site for a few hours.
- Should release the drug in a controlled manner.
- Target mucosa specifically.
- Boost rate and extent of drug absorption
- Should not cause any irritation or inconvenience to the patient.
- No interference with normal functions like talking or drinking.
What are the advantages of mucosal drug delivery system?
- Easy drug administration, useful in emergencies.
- Prolonged drug release over time.
- Suitable for unconscious and traumatized patients.
- Increased bioavailability by bypassing first-pass metabolism.
- Administer drugs unstable in stomach acid.
- Passive diffusion for drug absorption.
- Maximum absorption rate when drugs contact the membrane closely.
- Rapid onset of drug action.
What are the disadvantages?
Drug administration through mucosal drug delivery has the following disadvantages,
- Unsuitable for drugs which are unstable at buccal pH.
- Not for drugs with bitter taste, unpleasant odor and mucosal irritation.
- Limited to drugs needing small doses.
- Only for those drugs which absorbed by passive diffusion.
- May restrict eating and drinking.
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