title: Exploring the use of novel drug delivery systems for antiretroviral drugs.
abstract: Novel drug delivery systems present an opportunity for formulation scientists to overcome the many challenges associated with antiretroviral (ARV) drug therapy, thereby improving the management of patients with HIV/AIDS. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the various ARV delivery systems that have been developed for achieving sustained drug release kinetics, specifically targeting drugs to the macrophages, brain and gastric mucosa, and for addressing formulation difficulties such as poor solubility, stability and drug entrapment. Studies on the potential of systems for alternative routes of ARV drug administration, i.e., transdermal, buccal and rectal, are also highlighted. The physico-chemical properties and the in vitro/in vivo performances of various systems such as sustained release tablets, ceramic implants, nanoparticles, nanocontainers, liposomes, emulsomes, aspasomes, microemulsions, nanopowders and Pheroid(TM) are summarised. Further studies that remain to be undertaken for formulation optimisation are also identified. This review highlights the significant potential that novel drug delivery systems have for the future effective treatment of HIV/AIDS patients on ARV drug therapy.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ojewole
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mackraj
authors.forename: Panjasaram
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Naidoo
authors.forename: Thirumala
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Govender
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004339:Drug Compounding; D004355:Drug Stability; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers