What is intra-vaginal drug delivery system?

• Vaginal rings.
• Vaginal gel, creams and ointments.
• Vaginal gel, creams and ointments.
• Pessaries, tablets and suppositories.
• Bio-adhesive, micro-particulate drug delivery devices or systems.
• Others like foams, capsules, films, tampons, sponge and diaphragms.

• In case of nausea and vomiting, the act of taking medication orally may induce emesis hence the drug is vomited out before it is absorbed.
• Irritation to the stomach and small intestine associated with certain drugs can be avoided.
• Hepatic first pass elimination of high clearance drugs may be avoided partially.
• Contact with digestive fluid is avoided, thereby preventing enzymatic degradation of some drugs.
• The vaginal bio-availability of smaller drug molecules is good.
• The bio-availability of larger drug molecules can be improved by means of absorption enhancer or other approach.
• Self medication is possible.
• Convenient access.
• Prolonged retention of formulation.
• A great permeation area.
• High vasculature.

• Some of the drugs are sensitive at the vaginal pH.
• Local irritation of some drugs.
• Influence of sexual intercourse.
• Gender specificity.
• Personal hygiene.
• Sometimes leakage of drugs from vagina and wetting of undergarments.

By Dr. Vibha Kamath