Rectal drug delivery Flashcards
What is a rectal drug delivery?
A solid dosage form that is inserted into the body through the rectum as a suppositry which will then elt, soften or dissolve.
What is the approx length of suppositories?
32mm
What is the weight range of suppositories?
1g to 4g depending on the density of the suppository base.
What is a base?
A solid or semi-solid base.
What is the drug content range of suppositories?
from <0.1% to 4%. Generally 1.5 to 2 times the oral dose but can be equivalent.
What are the advantages of rectal drug delivery?
- can treat local conditions like haemorroids, fissures etc
- Can also treat systemic conditions if the patient is unable to swallow/unconcious/vomiting.
- Usefull if the oral medication has unacceptable taste
- PArtial avoidance of hepatic metabolism
- Avoidance of parenteral route in children.
- difficult to abuse and overdose i.e. cannot insert 20 suppositories
What can be contained in Suppositories to treat local conditions?
- Can contain soothing agents like Mild astringents (bismuth subgallate), Vasoconstrictors (adrenaline), or local anaesthetics (lignocaine).
- Can contain Cortiosteroids but only used short-term e.g hydrocortisone to treat proctitis
- Evacuants - bisacodyl, glycerin
- Antimicrobials - sulphasalazine
- Mesalazine for ulcerative colitis.
What are the disadvantages of Suppositories?
- Administration issues - not the easiest
- Slow and incomplete absorption thereofre slower onset of action
- Inter and intra subject variation
- Formulation is difficult.
How to use suppositories?
- in necessary, go to toilet to empty bowles
- wash hands
- remove any foil or plastic wraping from the suppository
- Either squat or lie on side with one leg straight and one bent
- gently but firmly push the suppository with the tappered end first into the rectum. push far enough so that it doesn’t slip out
- Colse your leg and sit still for a few minutes. Avoid emptying bowel for at least one hour (unless supp is a laxative)
- Wash hands again.
May be best to insert at night as there might be some leakage from the suppository so would be uncomfortable during the day.
Some supps can stain clothes.
What are the storage instructions for most supps?
Store in a cool, dark place but not in the fridge unless specifically instructed. If they get too warm, they will melt and not be firm enough to insert. (they melt at body temp 37)
What governs the drug absorption from the rectum?
Physiological and physiochemical factors.
What are the Physiological factors affecting absorption?
1) Colonic content
2) Circulation route
3) pH and lack of buffering capacity.
How does colonic content affect absorption?
- greater absorption when there is no fecal matter there therefore an evacuant enema may be used prior to administration. Diarrhoea, or a tumour or tissue dehydration may also affect absorption.
How does Circulation route affect absorption?
Drugs via rectal delivery will partly avoid first-pass metabolism (50-70%) therefore drugs metabolised by the liver orally may be more effective.
The drug can be absorbed into the rectal veins.
Placement of the supp therefore affects metabolism and whether the drug reaches the liver or not (if placed too high, much more of drug will reach liver).
Lymphotrphic delivery is also possible - lymphatic vessels are more porous than blood vessels, so is an opportunity for large drug molecules to be delivered this way.
How does pH and lack of buffering capacity affect absorption?
Rectal fluids are pH 7-8, and there is no effective buffering capacity. Therefore durgs will determine the pH of the environment.
Weaker acids and bases are absorbed better than stronger, highly ionised ones
What are the physiochemical factors affecting absorption?
1) Drug solubility in lipid and water
2) Drug particle size
How does Drug solubility in lipid and water affect absorption?
Lipohilic drugs are less readily released if the base is also lipophilic.
Water soluble bases readily dissolve in anorectal fluids , therefore hydrophilic drugs are more readily released.
The rate of drug absorption cannot e increased above a certain concentration.
How does drug particle size affect absorption of the drug?
Particle size affects dissolution and absorption
Decreased size = increased dissolution = increased rate of absorption.
What are the important properties of a base?
Must be capable of melting, softening or dissolving at body temperature
Must not be irritating as could initiate a bowel movement (unless its purpose is laxative)
Campatibiltiy of drug with base must be ascertained.
What is the rate limiting step of drug delivery in the rectum?
The partitioning of the drug from the melted base and not the rate of solution od drugs in body fluid.
How are drugs released from a lipohilic base?
The base melting in the body
How are drugs released from a hydrophilic base?
Base dipersing in the mucus
What affects the release of drugs from the base?
Affinity of the drug for the vehicle Solubility of the drug in rectal fluids Particle size Spreading of the vehicle Interactions between drug and vehicle i.e. lipophilic drug is released slowly from lipophilic base.
What determines the rate of transfer of drug across the mucosa?
Determined by partitioning and diffusion.