Pharmaceutical polymers in conventional dosage forms

Polymers are very useful excipients in the development of solid, liquid, and semi-solid pharmaceutical dosage forms. For this purpose, it is important to select a polymer based on its overall compatibility with the drug candidate to be incorporated in the formulation. In addition, polymers to be used in pharmaceutical dosage forms should be biocompatible, biodegradable, and improve the stability of formulations. They should facilitate the encapsulation of both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs. In selecting a biopolymer for drug formulation, the properties of the polymer including its crystallinity, molecular weight, interaction with drug molecules, and biodegradation pathway, must be considered. Several polymers classified as natural, semi-synthetic, or synthetic are available for dosage form development. Advances in polymer chemistry and the possibility of surface modification have expanded the scope of application of polymers in dosage form design. Beyond drug formulations, polymers have also found application in the fabrication of membranes and barriers used for testing the efficacy of dosage forms. These applications of polymers and new frontiers established underline the great potentials of polymers in dosage form design.