MINIMIZING SYSTEMIC ABSORPTION OF TOPICALLY ADMINISTERED OPHTHALMIC DRUGS

Due to absorption several ocularly applied medications give rise to sy stemic side-effects. The problem of systemic drug absorption should be taken into account in designing ocular drug and dosage forms so that oculospecificity of the medications is optimized. In this review we su mmarize the current knowledge about the systemic absorption of ocularl y applied topical drugs. Special emphasis is directed to the methods t hat can be used to minimize systemic absorption and increase the oculo specificity of drugs, e.g., reducing volume and increasing viscosity o f eyedrops, controlling drug release from depot preparations, prodrug- derivatization, and addition of vasoconstrictive agents.