ION EXCHANGE RESINS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Ion exchange resins are cross - linked water insoluble polymer - carrying, ionisable functional groups. IER have received considerable attention from pharmaceutical scientists because of their versatile properties as drug delivery vehicles. Resear ch over the l ast few years has revealed that IER are equally suitable for drug delivery technologies, including controlled release, transdermal, nasal, topical and taste masking. The major drawback of sustained release of extended release or extended releas e is dose du mping, resulting in increased risk of toxicity. The use of IER has occupied an important place in the development of controlled - or sustained - release systems because of their better drug - retaining properties and prevention of dose dumping. Synthetic ion ex change resins have been used in pharmacy and medicine for taste masking or controlled release of drug. Drug resin complexation converts drug to amorphous form leading to improved drug dissolution. Several studies have reported the use of IER for drug deliv ery at the desired site of action. Sulfonated and carboxylic resins with a polystyrene backbone are most widely used in clinical medicine.