Zeolites as potential drug carriers

Abstract

In the last two decades, natural zeolites have emerged in biomedical applications due to their favorable physicochemical characteristics such as high adsorption capacity and specific surface, the cation exchange ability, and good biocompatibility. Although very similar to clays that have been traditionally used in pharmaceutical preparations, these mineral materials also require a comprehensive characterization prior to their use as potential pharmaceutical excipients, that is, drug carriers. In this chapter a brief summary on definitions, properties, functionality-related characteristics, safety, and regulatory aspects of pharmaceutical excipients is given. Special attention is focused on natural and surfactant-modified zeolites; an overview of techniques used for characterization of a starting mineral material as well as drug-modified zeolite composites relevant for their application as pharmaceutical excipients and potential drug carriers is presented.