International Journal of Drug Research and Technology

A BRIEF PERSPECTIVE ON NON-INVASIVE ALTERNATIVE DELIVERY SYSTEMS FOR INSULIN THERAPY

Abstract

Bhanu Chander Bejgum

Development of patient compliant non-invasive insulin delivery systems has been an elusive goal for several decades. Though current insulin injection therapy is effective, the discomfort caused by repeated injections make patient compliance a major issue. An “insulin tablet” is a long awaited dream of several diabetic patients. However, no commercial per-oral delivery system of insulin is available in the market due to poor bioavailability of insulin administered per-orally. Several alternative non-invasive delivery routes were studied to improve the patient compliance, including mucosal routes such as buccal, pulmonary, nasal and vaginal routes. Some of these systems were shown to be clinically effective, however, could not mimic the physiological insulin secretions and showed variable bioavailability. Significant effort is in progress to develop alternative delivery systems with the improved bioavailability of insulin. This short review will give readers a brief knowledge on the progress of insulin alternative delivery systems and the challenges associated with these routes.