A Critical Review on Drug Delivery Systems

Abstract

Excipients are currently used in novel dosage formulations to perform unique roles because of developments in drug delivery technology and, in some cases, they directly or indirectly affect the degree and/or rate of drug release and drug absorption. Recent developments in the use of plant-based and natural goods require that synthetic additives be substituted by natural ones. The whole world today is profoundly interested in natural medicines and excipients. These natural materials have many advantages over synthetic materials as they are chemically inert, non-toxic, less costly, biodegradable, and readily available, increasing the shelf life of the product. This paper offers an overview of natural excipients used in traditional forms of dosage as well as innovative systems of drug delivery. As non-active ingredients that are mixed with therapeutically active compound(s) to form drugs, pharmaceutical excipients can be identified. The portion which is not an active compound is considered to be an excipient. Excipients have a more and more practical and important impact on the action and efficacy of the drug product. The variability of active compounds, excipients and processes are obvious elements of the variability of the product.