The ocular route of drug administration is generally associated to treat eye diseases; it is one of the most challenging drug delivery systems to the pharmaceutical scientist. It has significant advantages as well as some disadvantages, let’s check them.
Medication is effective when they reach the site of action therefore the different types of diseases are treating by using different routes and that is according to the site and requirement. Drug delivery to the eye has generally involved two basic methods of drug administration namely topical route and systemic route.
The ocular drug delivery system is consisting to deliver the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) to the eye and it can classify into posterior and anterior segments. As the eye has unique anatomy and physiology it is one of the challenging tasks to maintain the therapeutic level of the medication at the site of action.
The ophthalmic preparations are available in the form of water solutions, isotonic solutions, buffered solutions, emulsions, and several types of dosage forms with one or more active ingredients. Since the drops are simple to administer, the eye drop solution is the most prescribed dosage form.
Advantages of the ocular route of drug administration:
- The major advantage of the ocular route of drug administration is that it provides direct application to the site of action and ensures that the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is available in higher concentrations than the drug obtained from oral administration.
- The ocular route has faster drug absorption and less systemic and visual side effects.
- By avoiding the pulsed doses of conventional systems, it offers accuracy and uniformity in dose rate.
- It offers better housing of delivery systems.
- There is no issue with the unpleasant taste and odor of the drug as it is not meant to be swallowed (bypasses the first-pass metabolism).
- It is also suitable for all patients (child and elderly also).
- The ophthalmic route can improve patient compliance, provide comfort and enhance the therapeutic performance of the drug.
- Targeting within the ocular globe is done to prevent loss of ocular tissue.
- It does not produce any type of pain that is produced by the paternal route (intravenous, intramuscular, and subcutaneous route).
- It is a simple process that makes the self-administration of drugs possible.
- It requires a small amount of drug in the formulation.
- It is possible to achieve sustained and controlled release of the medication using the ocular route.
Disadvantages of the ocular route of drug administration:
- The major disadvantage of the ocular route of drug administration is that the rapid and extensive elimination of traditional eye drops which can cause extensive loss of drug resulting in poor retention of the drug at the site of action.
- The quick elimination of the medication through tear flow and eye blink results in a short period of therapeutic effect, which can lead to frequent dosing.
- After application of the ointment, drops, and other medication may be a temporary blurring of vision.
- Limited drugs are suitable to formulate for the ocular route.
- It has limited permeability to the cornea resulting in reduced absorption of ophthalmic drugs.
- The pharmaceutical industries need special processes, equipment, and requirements (sterile) to manufacture ophthalmic dosage forms, which make them more costly than oral dosage forms.
Commonly asked questions on the route of drug administration are as follows.
What are the routes of drug administration?
Oral, sublingual, buccal, rectal, transdermal, vaginal, nasal, parenteral, and inhalation route are commonly used routes of drug administration
Where in the body is an ocular medication given?
For most drugs applied topically, the site of action is usually various layers of the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva, and the other tissues of the anterior segment.
What is the advantage of oral drug administration?
The oral route of drug administration is simple, convenient, suitable for all, and that readily available by prescription.
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