Application of biodegradable Polymers in Controlled drug Delivery

Abstract

Polymers are becoming increasingly important in the field of drug delivery. The pharmaceutical applications of polymers range from their use as binders in tablets to viscosity and flow controlling agents in liquids, suspensions and emulsions. Polymers can be used as film coatings to disguise the unpleasant taste of a drug, to enhance drug stability and to modify drug release characteristics. The ways in which chemicals or drugs are administered have gained increasing attention in the past two decades. The drug having less half-life required frequent dosing. This is not only costly but also produces side effects because of every time administration particularly in case of parenterals. As a consequence, increasing attention has been focused on methods of giving drugs continually for a prolonged time periods and in a controlled fashion. The primary method of accomplishing this controlled release has been through incorporating the drug chemicals within polymers. This technology now spans many fields and includes pharmaceutical, food and agricultural applications, pesticides, cosmetics, and household products. The present review mainly highlights the use of pharmaceutical polymer for controlled drug delivery applications. Examples of pharmaceutical polymers & the principles of controlled drug delivery are outlined and applications of polymers for controlled drug delivery are described. Although polymers are used extensively as pharmaceutical packaging, this review is concerned with the use of polymers in the formulation of various dosage forms.