Excipient-Excipient Interactions in Pharmaceutical Systems Intended for Topical Application

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Excipient-Excipient Interactions in Pharmaceutical Systems Intended for Topical Application
Jun 1, 2005
Ryan F Donnelly, Paul A. McCarron, Gavin P. Andrews, A. David Woolfson
Pharmaceutical Technology Europe

This article looks at excipient?excipient interaction between glycerol and hydrolysed poly(methylvinylether/maleic anhydride [PMVE/MA]) within bioadhesive films intended for topical application. The cross-linking reaction between PMVE/MA and polyhydric alcohols was exploited to produce novel materials containing immobilized photosensitizer for use as hygienic surface coatings in hospitals.

Pharmaceutical dosage forms contain both pharmacologically-active compounds and excipients, which have been added to aid the formulation and manufacture of the dosage form. The properties of the final dosage form are highly dependent on the excipients chosen, their concentration and interaction with both the active compound and each other. Excipients cannot be regarded as inert or inactive ingredients and a detailed understanding of their physiochemical properties, safety and handling, and regulatory status is essential for pharmaceutical scientists.1
There has been increasing interest in the use of bioadhesive polymers as excipients in the design of drug delivery systems. One of the advantages of using these materials is that they can maintain contact with mucosal surfaces for longer periods than nonbioadhesive polymers. Because polymers possessing bioadhesive properties can retain drugs in close proximity to membranes rich in underlying vasculature, they may offer a solution to the poor bioavailability of some drugs and a method to avoid enzymatic degradation of others.

Complete article is available online.