Pharmaceutical Rheology

Objective. The aim of this scholarly review was to investigate the importance of rheology in the pharmaceutical formulation and development of drug dosage and release designs with regard to current studies conducted in the field of pharmaceutical rheology. Background. Current data in pharmaceutical rheology, which is the study of fluid and deformation as it applies to pharmacy, include parental formulations, nanoemulsions, emollients, and oranogels, to name a few. The importance of rheology is crucial in the 36 pharmaceutical industry as it can affect drug formulation and its development, as well as improving patient adherence and decreasing associated healthcare costs. Methods. A comprehensive literature survey was performed and information on the studies was accessed via Web of Science. There were over 400 studies evaluated and around 150 were selected to be analyzed for the following criteria: dosage form, instruments used, purpose/objective, methods, and outcomes. Endnote was used as an aid in evaluating and summarizing the studies by storing and managing the references which were arranged in a categorical fashion. Results. Based on the data from about 200 studies, the importance of rheology has been noted to have a significant impact on drug release and drug dosage formulations. Conclusion. A literature survey was necessary to locate the field of pharmaceutical rheology and to elucidate the state of the art as it can prove beneficial for future studies creating novel and innovative dosage designs.