How can the Production of Pharmaceutical Suppositories Optimize Your Business Potential?

Highlights: 

• About pharmaceutical suppositories 
• Applications of pharmaceutical suppositories 
• Recent developments in the pharmaceutical suppositories industry 

A pharmaceutical suppository is a semi-solid or solid dosage form that is inserted into the vagina, rectum, or urinary bladder to deliver medication. Suppositories contain active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and a solid base material that hardens at or close to body temperature. When the suppository is inserted, the active pharmaceutical ingredient gets dissolved, melted, or dispersed, allowing the medication to be absorbed through the mucosa or local tissues. 

Suppositories are often used when other drug delivery methods are inadequate, such as when a patient has difficulty swallowing pills or needs targeted local drug delivery. Suppositories are especially useful for medications that cross the digestive or liver metabolism to ensure more direct and effective drug absorption. 

There are three types of suppositories namely, vaginal suppositories, rectal suppositories, and urethral suppositories. The rectal suppositories category is anticipated to hold absolute revenue growth of $782.92 million by 2032. 

The efficiency of pharmaceutical suppositories in various illnesses 

Traditionally, suppository medicines were used for local use or when other administration routes were unavailable. Currently, it can be used as local anesthetics, laxatives, and antibiotic treatments. Suppositories are becoming increasingly vital for systemic delivery. Suppositories have gained popularity over the past few years due to their use as anti-inflammatories, hypnotics, analgesics, antipyretics, and sedatives. 

Pharmaceutical suppository applications have grown beyond traditional therapies, with an increase in oncology and pain management. Suppositories have become a popular choice for pain management due to their ability to provide localized pain relief and targeted drug delivery. In addition, they have become increasingly popular in oncology settings, where suppository-based chemotherapeutic and palliative options provide better results and fewer systemic adverse reactions. 

Role of 3D printing in the formulation of pharmaceutical suppositories 

The traditional molding process for suppositories involves several steps and takes a long time to harden. When suppository formulations are unavailable, hospital pharmacists frequently design them from oral medication. This leads to certain issues, such as improper mixing and dosage. Due to these issues, 3D printing is being preferred as a new manufacturing method for creating custom formulations, like suppositories. With 3D printing in hospitals, suppositories can be designed as per the size of the patient. 

PAM-based 3D printing has recently been used to create SNEDDS-based Lidocaine Suppositories for personalized medication delivery. Lipid-based suppositories were developed using the PAM (pressure-assisted microsyringe) technique, which allows the creation of custom suppositories with different levels of lidocaine-free bases. 

Recent progressions in the pharmaceutical suppositories corner 

Leading companies in the global pharmaceutical suppositories are heavily investing in R&D activities to launch highly effective products. These products are gaining momentum due to their rapid healing property and high efficiency.  

For example, Healing Bottoms, a leading pharmacy specializing in holistic health products, has recently re-launched its HB Fissure Turmeric Liquid Curcumin Treatment. This anal suppository is an antifungal and antiviral treatment that helps to alleviate symptoms associated with various bowel conditions such as Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, bowel ulcers, and Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The active ingredient in HB suppositories, curcumin liquid, is the primary healing agent and can be used as an antibiotic, antiseptic, antifungal, and antiviral agent. Curcumin suppositories are designed to heal almost 99% of hemorrhaging anal fissures within two days. Curcumin also minimizes the swelling of intestinal ulcers, inner hemorrhoids, and polyps.  According to Healing Bottoms, the suppository should be used twice a day for minor fissures and three times a day for large or persistent tears in the anal mucosa. Liquid curcumin has also been shown to reduce the symptoms of diverticulitis, IBS HPV, infected fistula, and other inflammatory bowel conditions. 

In another development, FeverAll®, the top choice of doctors for acetaminophen suppositories for infants aged six months and under, is now available at Publix. Due to the small size of the suppository, accurate dosing is achieved every time, eliminating the need for measuring. Additionally, it is the recommended administration method of acetaminophen when a child cannot tolerate oral liquid medicine due to vomiting and spitting, or if the child is not interested in taking orally administered acetaminophen. 

Zydus has received USFDA approval with CGT designation for Indomethacin suppository 

Zydus Lifesciences has been approved for the manufacture and marketing of Indomethacin by the USFDA. Indomethacin 50 mg suppositories, made by Zydus, are the generic form of the RLD Indocin suppository. The USFDA has granted Zydus a CGT designation for these suppositories. In addition, Zydus was granted 180-day market exclusivity for this product. INDOMETHRACIN suppositories are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for moderate to severe Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), including acute flare-ups of chronic RA, moderate to severe Ankylosing Spondylitis (AYS), Osteoarthritis (OA), acute painful shoulder (Bursitis/Tendonitis), and Gouty Arthritis (GAKE).

To sum up, the global pharmaceutical suppositories industry is gaining momentum owing to the heightened geriatric population and a surge in initiatives for awareness regarding suppositories. Moreover, the advent of the latest technologies will open new avenues for industry in the upcoming era.  

To achieve detailed insights into the pharmaceutical suppositories industry, feel free to contact us!   

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