urethral

urethral drug delivery

utilizes the urethral route for drug absorption and effect the site of application (local) 

Describe the anatomical and physiological challenges posed by the urethral routes of admin

• Intended only for local effect 

• Urethra is tubes that connect the urinary bladder to outside of body 

• Length of urethra

  • Males varies from 17.5 - 20 cm

  • Females is 4 cm

• In males it serves for reproductive purpose as a passageway for sperm 

• Only 1 commercial product - MUSE that is discontinued by manufacturer because drug shortage notice

Analyze the formulation characteristics needed for urethral drug delivery 

• Single use trans-urethral suppository

  • Designed to deliver drug across urethra into erectile tissue  

• Alprostadil 

  • Suspended in PEG1450

  • Formed into medicated pellet 

  • 1.4 mm in diameter

  • 3.6 mm in length

  • Pellet resides in the tip of translucent hollow applicator

  •  store both in fridge

• Injection therapy

  • Advantage is that does not depend on oral absorption and soes not depend on absorption through tissue 

  • Disadvantage: requires injection 

adv/di

• Advantage

  • For local effect 

• Disadvantage:

  • Unpopular

  • Does not lend itself to systemic drug delivery 

  • Requires manufacture in different sizes for males and females