TARGETED DRUG-DELIVERY IN TREATMENT OF INTESTINAL-DISEASES

Topical therapy within the treatment of intestinal diseases presents r ealistic formulation challenges for targeted drug delivery. Some relev ant oral formulation concepts are reviewed. The basic principles emplo yed are based mainly on differences in pH and metabolic activity betwe en the different parts of the gastrointestinal tract. A successful exa mple of targeted drug delivery within the treatment of Crohn's disease is presented. Topical therapy for the treatment of ulcerative colitis is also discussed. Physiological variations and influence of the dise ase and disease status present major challenges when deciding upon a s uitable formulation principle.