Prodrugs in nasal drug delivery

Abstract

Prodrugs have been used to overcome poor solubility, insufficient stability, incomplete absorption across biological membranes and premature metabolism to active species. This review examines the importance of various physicochemical factors affecting nasal absorption of drugs. Novel trends in nasal prodrug development in the areas of targeted delivery to the CNS and selective targeting of the nutrient transporter system of the nasal mucosa have received considerable attention.

• brain targeting
• carrier mediated transport
• chemical derivatisation
• lipophilicity
• nasal drug delivery
• peptides
• prodrugs
• transporters