Nasal Route of Drug Delivery

LUCIANI GIACOBBE LC; SANCHEZ MF; OLIVERA ME

The ADME Encyclopedia

Springer

Año: 2021; p. 1 - 10

Nasal drug delivery has traditionally been used for the administration of drugs (e.g., saline solutions, decongestants, corticosteroids, or antihistamines) to produce local effects, as in the case of allergic rhinitis and nasal congestion [1]. This is a primary option for drug delivery, because it allows rapid symptom relief with a more favorable adverse- event profile than either the oral or parenteral routes [2]. In addition, interest in the nasal route has increased in recent years due to its ability to produce systemic effects. As the nasal route pre- sents a relatively large surface area available for absorption, with a rapid onset of therapeutic action, avoidance of first-pass metabolism, and noninvasiveness of application of the active sub- stance, it is associated with better patient comfort and compliance [1]. This route also permits direct pathways to the central nervous system, which bypasses the blood–brain barrier, thereby reduc- ing systemic exposure and, consequently, sys- temic side effects [3]. An improved scientific and technological knowledge has allowed the development of new promising alternatives for the systemic delivery by the nasal route ofnumer- ous drugs, therapies, and vaccines for a variety of diseases [4].