title: Pharmaceutical technology can turn a traditional drug, dexamethasone into a first-line ocular medicine. A global perspective and future trends.
abstract: Dexamethasone is one of the most prescribed glucocorticoids. It is effective and safe in the treatment of a wide variety of ocular conditions, including anterior and posterior segment inflammation. However, its half-life in the vitreous humor is very short, which means that it typically requires frequent administrations, thus reducing patient adherence and causing therapeutic failure. Innovative dexamethasone delivery systems have been designed in an attempt to achieve sustained release and targeting. The FDA has approved dexamethasone implants for the treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion and posterior segment noninfectious uveitis. Lenses, micro- and nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles and dendrimers are also proving to be adequate systems for maintaining optimal dexamethasone levels in the site of action. Pharmaceutical technology is turning a classical drug, dexamethasone, into a fashionable medicine.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Sciences Department, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alcalá, Ctra. de Madrid-Barcelona (Autovía A2) Km. 33,600, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alcalá, Ctra. de Madrid-Barcelona (Autovía A2) Km. 33,600 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: javier.rodriguezv@edu.uah.es.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rodríguez Villanueva
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alcalá, Ctra. de Madrid-Barcelona (Autovía A2) Km. 33,600 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rodríguez Villanueva
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Sciences Department, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alcalá, Ctra. de Madrid-Barcelona (Autovía A2) Km. 33,600, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alcalá, Ctra. de Madrid-Barcelona (Autovía A2) Km. 33,600 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guzmán Navarro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone
keywords: Dendrimers; Dexamethasone; Implants; Microparticles; Nanoparticles; Ocular carriers; Sustained release systems