Using Polysorbates to Create Parenteral Dosage Forms of Hydrophobic Substances (A Review)

Low solubility of drugs is a constantly encountered problem for pharmaceutical science in the field of parenteral dosage form development. This requires the active use of solubilizers to produce soluble forms of substances suitable for administration via injection and infusion. Polysorbates or Tweens are often used as surfactants with the same poly(oxyethylene) part and different fatty acids that form the corresponding esters to overcome the hydrophobic nature of drugs. The introduction of polysorbates into pharmaceutical science and practice still remains relevant due to their high solubilizing activity, compatibility with other surfactants and electrolytes, and insensitivity to pH changes. This review highlights the properties of polysorbates and their use in pharmaceutical development (for drugs used both in clinics and at various stages of research), which makes it possible to assess the prospects for using these excipients to create dosage forms with new hydrophobic active substances.

Automated summary

Low solubility of drugs is a common problem in pharmaceutical science, and polysorbates are widely used as solubilizers to enhance drug solubility. This review highlights the properties, applications, and compatibility of polysorbates with other drugs, as well as the prospects of using them in developing dosage forms with new hydrophobic active substances.