ABSTRACT
On completion of this chapter, the reader should be able to describe the following:
1. The effect of particle size and zeta potential on drug delivery and targeting 2. Different routes of drug administration and specific characteristics of drug
delivery systems for each specific route 3. Targeted delivery systems to specific organs, tissues, and cells 4. Macromolecular and particulate carrier systems
Drug delivery systems (DDS) are polymeric or lipid carrier systems that transport drugs to their targets or receptor sites in a manner that provides their maximum therapeutic activity, prevent their degradation or inactivation during transit to the target sites, and protect the body from adverse reactions due to inappropriate disposition. The goal of a drug delivery system is to release the drugs to simultaneously provide maximal safety, effectiveness, and reliability (Figure 19.1). Design of an effective delivery system requires a thorough understanding of the drug, the disease, and the target site. Various physicochemical product properties that influence the quality features of plasma clearance kinetics, tissue distribution, metabolism, and cellular interactions of a drug can often be controlled by the use of a delivery system.
