Despite
its unpopularity, the rectal route of paediatric drug administration remains of
interest especially in pre-school children as it can overcome some drug
delivery challenges with oral and parenteral routes. Few studies have been conducted on the use and acceptability of
traditional rectal dosage forms (i.e., suppositories, enemas and gels) in
different parts of the world. It showed that barrier to adoption could be
linked with poor knowledge, little information and understanding of this
administration modality. Reformulation for the rectal delivery of drugs
intended for oral and/or parenteral administration that do not reach their full
potential, was explored by a study at University College London. The top 3
candidates were Azithromycin, Amodiaquine and Raltegravir. Little rectal delivery innovation has occurred but topics such as
acceptability and use of rectal drug delivery; types of rectal dosage forms and
reformulation considerations are discussed presently in order to raise
awareness around the need to modernise rectal dosage forms this to achieve the full potential for
successful reformulation.
Pharmaceutical Application of Biomedical Polymers, Part XXXIX. Thermally Gelling Poloxamine Synperonic T908 Solution as a Vehicle for Rectal Drug Delivery.
