Abstract

MICROPARTICLES: A NOVEL APPROACH TO CONTROLLED DRUG DELIEVERY SYSTEM

Renuka* and Kumar Hari S. L.

Abstract

The controlled release is to deliver a constant supply of the active ingredient, usually at a zero order rate; by continuously releasing for a certain period time, an amount of the drug equivalent to the eliminated by the body. An ideal controlled drug delivery system is the one, which delivers the drug at a predetermined rates locally or systematically, for a specific period of time. microparticles are small particles of solids or small droplets of liquids surrounded by walls of natural and synthetic polymer films of varying thickness and have a diameter upto range of 0.1 μm - 200μm. They provide the sustained and controlled delivery of drug to long period of time. The microencapsulation technology allows protection of drug from the environment, stabilization of sensitive drug substances, elimination of incompatibilities or masking of unpleasant taste. These delivery systems offer numerous advantages compared to conventional dosage forms, which include improved efficacy, reduced toxicity, improved patient compliance and convenience. Such systems often use macromolecules as carriers for the drugs. The present review highlights several carriers used in the preparation of microparticles, preparation methods of microparticles, their release mechanisms, evaluation parameters, their advantages and applications. Therefore microparticles open up new vistas of research in the development of novel drug delivery systems.

Keywords: Microparticles, Controlled drug delivery, Polymers, Microencapsulation techniques.