Emerging Multi-Drug Eutectics: Opportunities and Challenges

AAPS PharmSciTech. 2021 Feb 7;22(2):66. doi: 10.1208/s12249-021-01939-6.

Abstract

Complexity and heterogeneous nature of most diseases have posed greater challenges in the modern healthcare system. Fixed-dose combination can offer an ideal way to improve patient compliance and higher therapeutic efficacy. However, biopharmaceutical issues associated with the drug combinations remain unaddressed. Multidrug eutectics (MDE) have demonstrated significant promise in improving the biopharmaceutical attributes with synergistic therapeutic action. Eutectic mixtures are the multicomponent solid forms that possess lesser melting point than the individual components at a fixed composition. Non-covalent linking of drug combinations as MDE is an innovative strategy with enhanced solubility, dissolution, and mechanical and potential therapeutic efficacy. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the design of MDE, rational selection of drugs, characterization tools, and their therapeutic potential. Besides, the futuristic perspective where MDE could make a significant impact on combination therapy is briefly outlined. Graphical Abstract.

Keywords: crystal engineering; eutectic mixtures; fixed-dose combination; non-covalent derivative; thermal analysis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Drug Combinations*
  • Drug Liberation
  • Drug Synergism
  • Humans
  • Solubility

Substances

  • Drug Combinations