Chapter 7 - Formulation strategies to improve the bioavailability of poorly absorbed drugs

Abstract

The bioavailability of drugs having higher molecular weight and poor water solubility are lower when administered orally due to poor absorption of drug into systemic circulation. The poorly absorbed drug restrains the therapeutic efficacy of drug and also create difficulties its pharmaceutical development. The different types of formulation techniques have been developed to improve the bioavailability of the poorly absorbed drug molecule, and it is discussed concisely in this chapter. The bioavailability of poorly absorbed drugs can be improved by formulating the drugs into nanosuspensions, solid lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nano- and microparticles, liposomes, niosomes, phytosomes, self-micro emulsifying drug delivery system and microemulsion. Based on the available data, the lipid-based drug delivery systems impart chief role in enhancing the bioavailability of hydrophobic drugs utilizing different lipids as carriers.