The goal of any type of drug delivery system is to administer medications to specifically targeted areas of the body. This is done through a type of system that controls the administration by either a chemical or a physiological trigger. That trigger helps to release drugs into the body, including capsules, inhalers, skin patches and injectables.

Some common methods of drug delivery include oral, topical (skin), sublingual, vaginal, rectal, ocular and nasal. Read about these drug delivery systems key terms to learn more.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Oral drug delivery systems

Within the mouth are mucous membranes which function as a site for the absorption of medications. The medications given using this route penetrate the mucous membranes within the mouth by diffusion and are then carried into the person's systemic circulation by means of the jugular vein.

I recommend: Informa Healthcare's website has an extensive amount of information about the buccal (oral) administration of medications including absorption and benefits of utilizing this route for oral delivery of medications.

Implantable infusion pumps

An implantable infusion pump is utilized to provide continuous or intermittent long-term medication infusion. The implantable infusion pump provides for continuous infusion of medications at a precise rate to a targeted area or organ. Programmable pumps allow flexible dosing choices including titration over time.

I recommend: NedaMed provides the most complete and concise information around when it comes to implantable infusion pumps, placement, uses, functions, and options on the market today. The many options for implantable devices are fully discussed in a medically precise manner.

Liposomes

Liposomes are fat drops made in the lab by the addition of a water-based solution added to a phospholipid gel. Liposomes form a capsule around the medication to improve their delivery and are used for intravenous delivery of tiny molecules of drugs and oral and sustained-release delivery of medications.

I recommend: Northern Lipids has a great deal of reference information about liposomal use and lipid based drug delivery systems. The safety and efficacy of lipid-based carriers are discussed in detail as well as the use in things such as vaccines and nutraceuticals.

Inhalers

Many different types of medications for lung or other respiratory disorders are given by using an inhaler, which delivers the medication directly into the lungs and breathing tubes in a mist like state.

I recommend: The Palo Alto Medical Foundation has a great deal of information regarding inhalers and inhalation therapy including types, purposes, and technique for administering with online tutorials.

Intranasal drug delivery systems

The nasal cavity is one place that has an easy access to and is very vascular in nature which allows medication to be easily absorbed into the blood rapidly usually through a mist.

I recommend: Administering medications via the nasal cavity has many advantages and uses. These are detailed at Therapeutic Intranasal Drug Delivery, as well as how they can be administered, types and other pharmacological issues involved in this type of administration.

Transdermal patches

A type of skin patch called a transdermal patch is a medicated patch which is adhesive and placed on the skin to give a time released dose of the drug through the skin area and into the bloodstream.

I recommend: Transdermal patches are very effective in delivering medication. Detailed information about the types, uses and history of this type of delivery system can be found at TheFreeDictionary.

Drug delivery systems range from medicated skin patches to implanted devices and powder forms, with new advances in drug delivery systems coming on the market every year.

Other pharmaceutical delivery system options include liposomes and synthetic and organic polymers. Drug delivery technology includes oral drug delivery systems, electronic drug delivery systems, nasal drug delivery systems and implantable drug delivery systems.

Selection of the proper controlled release drug delivery systems includes polymers and liposomes, which will release the drug at a sustained rate. Some systems will release the drug only in certain environments. Keep the following in mind, when choosing a drug delivery system:

1. Select controlled drug delivery systems fitting the medication's delivery requirements.

2. Seek out the newest drug delivery systems as drug delivery technology improves.

3. Advanced drug delivery systems in development include smart drugs and monoclonal antibodies offer new opportunities for drug treatment.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose leading-edge drug delivery technologies

Look for drug delivery science and technology from leading companies, pioneering new methods. Advances in delivery methods make delivery more physically effective and cost effective.

I recommend: Leaders in the industry offer new advancements in drug delivery systems including transdermal systems and inhalation systems such as 3M Drug Delivery Systems. Innovative products like those offered by Aveva Drug Delivery Systems provide transdermal products on the cutting edge of technology.

Choose dependable controlled release drug delivery systems

Drugs are becoming more dependent on controlled release, allowing the active ingredients in the medication to be released over a period of time, generally 12 to 24 hours, giving patients fewer requirements for taking medications frequently.

I recommend: Find leading companies in controlled release technologies developing formulations that allow for more once-daily application over the current standard of two, three or more times per day, such as those from Biovail Corporation. Other types of controlled release products offer various delivery methods including delivery of the active ingredients in the drug when it reaches the gastro-intestinal tract, such as those developed by Advanced Drug Delivery Technologies Ltd.

Purchase supplies through a trusted drug delivery company

Part of the project of selecting the proper drug delivery system is having the correct administration supplies. A range of products is available including eye dropper bottles, pens, needles and auto injectors.

I recommend: Select leak-proof, fiber-free products that offer tamper evidence protection for eye droppers from Santapet Polymers Limited, offering a range of sizes and bottle types. Ypsomed AG offers a number of options for targeted drug delivery systems through injection and requirements for supplies such as pen injectors, needles and drug cartridges, such as those used for insulin delivery.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Determine the most appropriate drug delivery systems and drug delivery company for the patient considering the application's ease of use, reduction to pain, safe application and specific drug-related requirements. Often, selecting delivery methods that provide less dependence on the doctor enables a patient to be more proactive in treatment.

All medications are delivered to the body through drug delivery systems. This can include an oral drug delivery system, nasal drug delivery system, transdermal route, or subcutaneously. As drug delivery technology continues to advance, it's important to know about each kind of pharmaceutical delivery system and what kind of drug it delivers.

Nurses, doctors, pharmacists and other healthcare workers administering or providing medication should receive training in advanced drug delivery systems. It's important to learn about all methods of manual and electronic drug delivery systems and how they function in the body. Drug delivery systems education and training should include:

1. Being educated about advances in drug delivery systems.

2. Finding out about drug delivery science and technology.

3. Learning about using controlled drug delivery systems.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

All medications are delivered to the body through drug delivery systems. This can include an oral d

Targeted drug delivery systems work by delivering medication to a targeted part of the body, like the heart or brain. It's important for doctors and nurses that prescribe or administer medication to patients to learn about methods of drug delivery technology and how to utilize them safely and beneficially for patients. Get training in drug delivery systems to better understand how they function.

I recommend: ProCE offers education and information about intravenous drug delivery systems and safety. Take the American Chemical Society's course in drug delivery systems for therapeutic proteins to learn how targeted drug delivery systems function in the body.

Find out about drug delivery science and technology

Doctors utilize many methods of drug delivery to administer medications to patients. Nasal drug delivery systems are often used to deliver allergy and antihistamine drugs, while transdermal systems are typically used for acute or chronic pain management. Learn about all methods of targeted drug delivery systems to further your healthcare education.

I recommend: Medtronic offers hands-on training for healthcare professionals who use an intrathecal or implantable drug delivery system to treat chronic or acute pain conditions in their patients. Oxford Journal offers education and training in the use of opioid transdermal drug delivery systems.

Discover the benefits and drawbacks to using controlled release drug delivery systems

All methods of drug delivery have safety precautions that need to be followed to ensure patient safety during drug administration. It's important to learn proper dosages and dispensing guidelines for all drug delivery systems, including those intended to deliver controlled or narcotic drugs. Learn safe handling and dispensing of targeted drug delivery systems to keep patients safe.

I recommend: Mercer University's College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offers courses in drug dissolution rates and targeted drug delivery systems. The courses can earn you continuing education credit while you further your education of advances in drug delivery systems. Attend MIT's program on the Fundamental Principles of Controlled Drug Release to learn about controlled release drug delivery systems.