title: Eudragit: a technology evaluation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Eudragit is the brand name for a diverse range of polymethacrylate-based copolymers. It includes anionic, cationic, and neutral copolymers based on methacrylic acid and methacrylic/acrylic esters or their derivatives.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this review, the physicochemical characteristics and applications of different grades of Eudragit in colon-specific/enteric-coated/sustained release drug delivery and taste masking have been addressed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Eudragits are amorphous polymers having glass transition temperatures between 9 to > 150(o)C. Eudragits are non-biodegradable, nonabsorbable, and nontoxic. Anionic Eudragit L dissolves at pH > 6 and is used for enteric coating, while Eudragit S, soluble at pH > 7 is used for colon targeting. Studies in human volunteers have confirmed that pH drops from 7.0 at terminal ileum to 6.0 at ascending colon, and Eudragit S based systems sometimes fail to release the drug. To overcome the shortcoming, combination of Eudragit S and Eudragit L which ensures drug release at pH < 7 has been advocated. Eudragit RL and RS, having quaternary ammonium groups, are water insoluble, but swellable/permeable polymers which are suitable for the sustained release film coating applications. Cationic Eudragit E, insoluble at pH ≥ 5, can prevent drug release in saliva and finds application in taste masking.
authors.affiliation: GVM College of Pharmacy, Sonipat, India.
authors.forename: Seema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thakral
authors.forename: Naveen K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Thakral
authors.forename: Dipak K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Majumdar
mesh_terms: D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005079:Excipients; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005079:Excipients; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D011108:Polymers; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated; C058665:Eudragit RL