In the article, groups of multifunctional polymers used in drug dosage form technology were classified and evaluated. These compounds, in addition to their basic function as excipients, may have additional properties, e.g. stimuli sensitivity, enzyme inhibition, intestinal epithelium penetration enhancement, efflux pump inhibition, taste-masking, pharmacological activity and the ability to interact with enzymes responsible for drug metabolism. While classifying specific groups of multifunctional polymers, special emphasis was placed on the advantages of using them when designing new drug. Such advantages include, i.a., increasing substance bioavailability, improving substance stability during formulation and the possibility of obtaining forms of controlled or localized release to a specific site in the organism.
Keywords: Multifunctional polymers; Polymer excipients; Polymer therapeutics; Smart polymer.