Oral macromolecular drug delivery systems

Oral Macromolecular Drug Delivery Systems Containing Low Molecular Mass... 

Table 5.1 Advantageous features of oral macromolecular drug delivery systems Demanded features Benefit Additional information...

Within the last decades strong evidence has been provided on the potential of various types of low molecular mass permeation enhancers to improve the oral uptake of macromolecular drugs. Nevertheless, so far no oral macromolecular drug delivery system comprising a low molecular mass permeation enhancer has entered the market indicating that the permeation-enhancing properties of these enhancers are still associated with too high toxic risks. 

Herein, various barriers to oral delivery of macromolecular drugs will be discussed in brief, after which carrier-mediated delivery systems on the basis of chemical modification of the drugs and particulate drug carriers (e.g., nanoparticles, microcapsules, and liposomes) will be introduced as representative of promising approaches currently being investigated. 

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