Aqueous eye drop formulations: cyclodextrins as enabling excipients

Cyclodextrins are enabling pharmaceutical excipients that solubilize and stabilize drugs in aqueous formulations. Cyclodextrins possess very favorable pharmacokinetic and toxicological profiles and are commonly used in marketed drug products for oral and parenteral administration. However, their use in ophthalmic products is still very limited. Cyclodextrins have a broad range of physical properties that are specifically appropriate for designing topical ophthalmic dosage forms. Additionally, both the regulatory and intellectual property environments have been cleared over the last years and should foster their use for designing new drugs for ophthalmic use.