Types of Delivery Routes and Polymeric Drug Delivery Systems For Effective Management of Arthritis

Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation in one or more joints. Most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in which joint pain is the major symptom. Management of arthritis can be done by reliefing pain using various classes of drugs. Steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) are commonly used for treatment. NSAIDs nowadays are combined with other drugs for the better therapeutic effects compared to NSAIDs alone. Management of arthritis can be made using various drug delivery systems like polymeric drug delivery system, controlled drug delivery system, sustained delivery using various routes like oral, nasal and topical route etc. This review suggests management of arthritis using polymeric drug delivery system. Polymeric drug delivery systems are based on the chain link of polymers, and liposomes, hydrogels, nano devices are some of the approaches. Polymeric systems used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases and infections along with some other vaccines. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen and diclofenac are used in the management and/or treatment of arthritis. This review also suggests the various drug candidates used to treat the arthritis.