Formulation design in drug delivery

Abstract Drug formulation design is used to develop a drug delivery system (DDS) suitable for the administration of therapeutics while maintaining their concentration within the therapeutic range for the desired duration to achieve a therapeutic effect. It is important to thoroughly understand the required chemical, interfacial, mechanical, and biological properties of the formulation before selecting a suitable biomaterial for drug delivery purposes. This chapter illustrates the properties of DDSs required for various routes of drug administration with a specific focus on targeting drugs to the brain, colon, and cancer tissues. Examples of degradable and nondegradable polymers that are used in DDSs have been described and the effect of material properties on the formulated DDS and the released therapeutics has been discussed in detail. Finally, the utility of smart materials such as novel polymeric hydrogel systems that regulate the delivery of therapeutics in response to a specific stimulus has been considered.