drugdelivery

Drug delivery refers to the method, vehicles, and systems used to administer pharmaceutical compounds to achieve specific therapeutic outcomes with optimal efficacy and safety. It covers the design of dosage forms, the choice of administration route, and strategies to control where and when a drug acts, how fast it acts, and how long its effects persist.

Common routes include oral, injectable, transdermal, inhalational, ocular, nasal, rectal, and vaginal delivery. Each pathway presents challenges for absorption and stability that drive formulation choices such as solid tablets, capsules, liquid suspensions, injectable emulsions, patches, and inhalers. Device-assisted methods, like infusion pumps or nebulizers, expand possibilities for precise dosing and rapid action.

Fundamental concepts include pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, aiming to optimize absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Targeted delivery seeks to increase drug accumulation at diseased sites while reducing systemic exposure, using passive mechanisms (e.g., size- or charge-based accumulation) or active approaches (ligand- or antibody-directed carriers). Nanomedicine and advanced carriers—liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, and hydrogels—enable controlled or stimuli-responsive release.

Applications span cancer therapy, vaccination, anesthesia, antimicrobial treatment, and chronic disease management. Research focuses on safety, biocompatibility, manufacturing scalability, and regulatory pathways to ensure quality and efficacy. Ongoing developments include gene and RNA delivery, smart devices, and personalized delivery systems designed for individual patients.