A drug carrier refers to a substance or a vehicle used to transport or deliver therapeutic drugs or pharmaceutical substances to specific target sites in the body. It acts as a carrier system that encapsulates, protects, and transports the drugs to desired locations in a controlled and efficient manner, thereby enhancing drug effectiveness and reducing potential side effects.
The drug carrier can be categorized into various types, such as nanoparticles, liposomes, microspheres, polymers, micelles, and vesicles, depending on the nature and composition of the carrier system utilized. These carriers are designed to hold and entrap drugs, ensuring their stability and controlled release, while also protecting them from degradation or early elimination in the body.
The primary purpose of drug carriers is to overcome the limitations associated with conventional drug administration methods, such as poor solubility, low bioavailability, rapid clearance from circulation, and lack of target specificity. By encapsulating drugs within such delivery systems, drug carriers offer several advantages, including prolonged drug release, targeted delivery to specific tissues or cells, reduced toxicity, and improved therapeutic outcomes.
Drug carriers have gained significant importance in various fields, including targeted drug delivery, controlled drug release, and personalized medicine. They have revolutionized the field of pharmaceutical sciences and are extensively investigated for their potential in treating diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disorders, infectious diseases, and neurological disorders.
In summary, a drug carrier is a specialized carrier system or vehicle that transports drugs to specific target sites in the body, protecting them and enhancing their therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects.
