A Systematic Overview of Eudragit® Based Copolymer for Smart Healthcare
Eudragit, synthesized by radical polymerization, is used for enteric coating, precise temporal release, and targeting the entire gastrointestinal system. Evonik Healthcare Germany offers different grades of Eudragit. The ratio of methacrylic acid to its methacrylate-based monomers used in the polymerization reaction defines the final product’s characteristics and consequently its potential range of applications. Since 1953, these polymers have been made to use in a wide range of healthcare applications around the world. In this review, we reviewed the “known of knowns and known of unknowns” about Eudragit, from molecule to material design, its characterization, and its applications in healthcare.
1. Introduction
Table 1. Classification of polymethacrylate based on polymeric grades.
Eudragit Grade | Applications | Chemical Composition | Solubility |
---|---|---|---|
Cationic (Aminoalkylmethacrylate copolymers) Eudragit E 12.5 Eudragit E 100 | Increased geriatric and pediatric patient compliance. Increased bioavailability and dissolution profile. Increased anti-inflammatory action. High oral bioavailability | Poly(butyl methacrylate, (2-dimethyl aminoethyl) methacrylate, methyl methacrylate) 1:2:1 Poly(butyl methacrylate, (2-dimethyl aminoethyl) methacrylate, methyl methacrylate) 1:2:1 | Both are soluble in gastric fluid to pH 5 |
Anionic (Methacrylic acid copolymers) Eudragit L 100 Eudragit L 100-55 Eudragit L 12.5 Eudragit L 100-55 Eudragit L 12.5 P Eudragit S 12.5 Eudragit S 12.5 P Eudragit L 30 D-55 Eudragit S 100 Eudragit FS 30 D | pH-dependent and high release. Increased oral absorption. Increased taste masking. Controlled release. Colonic-specific drug delivery. Targeting drug delivery. Delay release profile. High oral bioavailability | Poly(methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate) 1:1 Poly(methacrylic acid, ethyl acrylate) 1:1 Poly(methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate) 1:1 Poly(methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate) 1:1 Poly(methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate) 1:2 Poly(methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate) 1:2 Poly(methacrylic acid, ethyl acrylate) 1:1 Poly(methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate) 1:2 Methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, and methacrylic acid | Soluble in intestinal fluid around pH 6 Soluble in intestinal fluid around pH 5.5 Soluble in intestinal fluid around pH 6 Soluble in intestinal fluid around pH 6 Soluble in intestinal fluid around pH 7 Soluble in intestinal fluid around pH 7 Soluble in intestinal fluid from pH 5.5 Soluble in intestinal fluid around pH 7 Soluble above pH 6.8 |
Neutral (Methacrylic acid copolymers) 1. Eudragit RL PO 2. Eudragit RL 30 D 3. Eudragit RL 100 (Type A) 4. Eudragit RS PO 5. Eudragit RS 30 D 6. Eudragit RS 100 (Type B) | Increased release time and ocular bioavailability. Increased shelf life for ophthalmic dosage form. Sustainable drug release for more than 6 h. Sustained release with significance for vaginal drug delivery. Improved permeation and increased bioavailability as well as shelf life. | Poly(ethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, 2-trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate chloride” or “2-(methacryloyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium chloride) 1:2:0.2 Poly(ethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, 2-trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate chloride” or “2-(methacryloyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium chloride) 1:2:0.2 Poly(ethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, 2-trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate chloride” or “2-(methacryloyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium chloride) 1:2:0.2 Poly(ethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, 2-trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate chloride” or “2-(methacryloyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium chloride) 1:2:0.1 Poly(ethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, 2-trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate chloride” or “2-(methacryloyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium chloride) 1:2:0.1 Poly(ethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, 2-trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate chloride” or “2-(methacryloyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium chloride) 1:2:0.1 | Permeability is High Permeability is High Permeability is High Permeability is Low Permeability is Low Permeability is Low |
Neutral (Methacrylic acid copolymers) 1. Eudragit NM 30 D 2. Eudragit NE 30 D 3. Eudragit NE 40 D | Poly(ethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate) with 0.7% (PEG stearyl ether) 2:1 Poly(ethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate) with 1.5% (nonoxynol) 2:1 Poly(ethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate) with 1.5% (nonoxynol) 2:1 | Permeable, swellable Permeable, swellable Permeable, swellable |
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Nikam, A.; Sahoo, P.R.; Musale, S.; Pagar, R.R.; Paiva-Santos, A.C.; Giram, P.S. A Systematic Overview of Eudragit® Based Copolymer for Smart Healthcare. Pharmaceutics 2023, 15, 587.
https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15020587