What are polymeric drugs?

What are polymeric drugs?

ABSTRACT. Polymer drugs are those in which a polymer agent has a direct therapeutic effect on the body. A major investigated area of polymer drugs is their use as binding agents, or sequestrants, which can neutralize or remove undesired components from the body.

What are polymers in pharmacy?

In recent years, polymers have been used to develop devices for controlling drug deliv- ery or for replacing failing natural organs. In oral delivery, polymers are used as coatings, binders, taste maskers, pro- tective agents, drug carriers, and release controlling agents.

Which polymer is used in drug delivery?

Among the synthetic and biodegradable polymers, aliphatic polyesters such as poly (glycolic acid), poly (lactic acid), poly (caprolactone) and polydioxanone, are most commonly used and applied to drug delivery systems.

Why are polymers used in drug delivery?

Polymers have played an integral role in the advancement of drug delivery technology by providing controlled release of therapeutic agents in constant doses over long periods, cyclic dosage, and tunable release of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs.

What is chitosan polymer?

Chitosan is a biodegradable, biocompatible polymer regarded as safe for human dietary use and approved for wound dressing applications. Chitosan has been used as a carrier in polymeric nanoparticles for drug delivery through various routes of administration.

What is the strongest polymer Group?

In general strongest polymer group is Thermosets Distinguish between thermoplastic polymers and thermosetting polymers.

Which is a natural polymer?

Natural polymers occur in nature and can be extracted. They are often water-based. Examples of naturally occurring polymers are silk, wool, DNA, cellulose and proteins. Vulcanized rubber is a synthetic (man-made) polymer, while pectin is an example of a natural polymer.

How do polymers release drugs?

For polymeric materials the mechanisms of drug release are normally directly linked to drug diffusion, dissolution, and degradation of the carrier matrix. However, other factors, such as interactions of the material and the drug, can also influence the release kinetics.

What are some polymers used in everyday life?

Polymers become the raw materials for products we now use every day, including: synthetic clothing, fiberglass, plastic bags, nylon bearing, polyethylene cups, epoxy glue, silicone heart valves, Teflon-coated cookware and our personal favorite, polymer based paints.

What are Polymer drugs used for?

A major investigated area of polymer drugs is their use as binding agents, or sequestrants, which can neutralize or remove undesired components from the body.

What are insoluble polymer drugs?

Insoluble polymer drugs are typically non-systemic 17 and include polymeric sequestering agents which bind undesirable moieties in the GI tract but are not themselves absorbed, resulting in their removal from the body by the fecal route together with the bound moiety.

What are the characteristics of oral Polymer drugs?

Soluble oral polymer drugs neutralize infective or immunogenic agents in GI tract; 4. Insoluble, orally-active polymer sequestrant causes fecal removal of undesired agents; 5. Polymer drugs act as blood bulking agents or in vivo surfactants; 6. Polymer drugs act as topical anti-infectives. [Color figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]

What is the role of the polymer in pharmacokinetics?

In these cases, the primary role of the polymer is to modulate the pharmacokinetic properties of the active agent, by, for example, preventing clearance or enhancing delivery to the desired site of action.