Pharmaceutical Technology

This volume focuses on the evaluation of different types of polymeric materials used in controlled drug delivery, presenting in vivo data alongside research work concerned with the physico-chemical factors influencing drug release. The book reflects the current interest in the search for a controlled drug release system which is simple to produce on a mass production scale, is applicable to a wide range of drugs with different chemical properties, is truly physiologically inert and at the same time capable of being able to release the drug at differing rates. The authors offer an understanding of how drug delivery systems act, discussing many aspects of controlled drug release technology. Being the first of a series of books concerned with pharmaceutical technology developments, the research work presented covers actual work in progress by academic research groups from laboratories all around the world. It features the recently innovated nasal absorption of drugs and highlights absorption of drugs through skin at a controlled rate.
It investigates the use of specific surfactants to improve the process of percutaneous absorption; whilst an important problem concerning drug absorption is highlighted when it is shown that propranolol hydrochloride absorption can be affected not just by the design of the dosage form, but also by the concomitant administration of other drugs, eg antacids. Future controlled release drug delivery systems may have to be designed for such factors in mind.