PULSATILE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS USING NATURAL POLYMERS AS RELEASE MODIFIERS

Abstract

Sustained and controlled drug delivery system release the drug at a substantially steady rate of release per unit of time. However, there are instances where maintaining a constant blood level of a drug is not desirable. In such cases a pulsatile drug delivery may be more advantageous. Pulsatile drug delivery system (PDDS) is the most interesting time and site-specific system. This system is designed for chronopharmacotherapy which is based on circadian rhythm. Pulsatile drug delivery systems are gaining importance as these systems deliver the drug at specific time as per the pathophysiological need of the disease resulting in improved patient therapeutic efficacy and compliance. The current article focuses on the need for pulsatile drug delivery system, diseases requiring pulsatile drug delivery system, methodologies involved for the existing systems, application of natural polymers as drug release modifiers for pulsatile drug delivery systems with supportive studies on natural polymers as suitable candidates for pulsatile drug delivery systems and pulsatile drug delivery product currently available in the market.