Praktické lekárnictvo 2/2024

Technological possibilities to ensure drug abuse protection

The non-therapeutic use of medicines and its increase is a global and societal problem. It affects not only the health sector, but it also has significant human, social and economic consequences. The development of dosage forms (DFs) to reduce or prevent the abuse of medicines is one step in a comprehensive solution to this problem. The last decade has brought the development of more robust DFs capable of reducing drug abuse. Technologies and strategies to prevent drug abuse typically target common or expected application routes. Technology can limit the extractability of the active ingredient and the bioavailability after DF manipulation, prevent drug distribution in the body after using an alternative administration route, reduce the effect of the substance after manipulation, or make the effect less pleasant. The technological approach often focuses on formulations that are physically and chemically resistant, often also capable of modifying the drug‘s pharmacokinetics after adverse manipulation. Other options, such as drug antagonists, prodrugs, aversive agents, and innovative excipients, are also gaining attention.

Keywords: modification of dosage form, tamper resistant, opioid analgesics, solid dosage forms, addiction, drug abuse