A NEW CORNUCOPIA IN TOPICAL DRUG DELIVERY: MICROSPONGE TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

The expanding arena of emerging drugs, increased sensitivity to clinical outcomes and healthcare costs are driving the need for alternative drug delivery methods and devices. The drug delivery technology landscape has become highly competitive and rapidly evolving. More and more developments in delivery systems are being integrated to optimize the efficacy and cost effectiveness of the therapy. New classes of pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals are fueling the rapid evolution of drug delivery technology. These new drugs typically cannot be effectively delivered by conventional means. Hence, benefits from targeted, localized delivery of therapeutic agents are other driving forces for the current market. Microsponge technology has been introduced in topical drug products to facilitate the controlled release of active drug into the skin in order to reduce systemic exposure and minimize local cutaneous reactions to active drugs. Microsponge consists of microporous beads loaded with active agent. When applied to the skin, the microsponge releases its active ingredient on a time mode and also in response to other stimuli (rubbing, temperature, pH etc.) that are used mostly for topical and recently for oral administration. Microsponge technology has many favourable characteristics which make it a versatile drug delivery vehicle. Microsponge Systems can suspend or entrap a wide variety of substances, and then be incorporated into a formulated product such as a gel, cream, liquid or powder. The outer surface is typically porous, allowing the sustained flow of substances out of the sphere. Microsponge delivery system (MDS) can provide increased efficacy for topically active agents with enhanced safety, extended product stability, enhanced formulation flexibility, reduced side effects and improved aesthetic properties in an efficient and novel manner. In addition these are non-irritating, non-mutagenic, non-allergenic, and nontoxic. The present review introduces microsponge technology in great detail.