Title: Rationalising fixed dose combinations for tuberculosis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome therapy

Authors: Shivaan Cooppan, Viness Pillay, Yahya E. Choonara, Lisa C. Du Toit, Valence M.K. Ndesendo

Addresses: Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa. ' Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa. ' Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa. ' Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa. ' Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract: Poorly managed healthcare can be directly attributed to extensive drug regimens. Numerous chronic illnesses and epidemics such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis require elaborate drug regimens for efficacious therapeutic outcomes. Various drug delivery systems have been developed to simplify their regimental drug therapy. However, more effective and innovative drug delivery technologies are required to increase patient compliance and provide controlled drug delivery. This review article attempts to provide a concise incursion into the use of fixed dose combinations as a strategy for drug delivery and describes the opportunities and challenges for the treatment of conditions that require chronic suppressive regimental drug therapy.

Keywords: fixed doses; fixed dose drug combinations; tuberculosis; human immunodeficiency virus; HIV; asthma; polymeric drug delivery; multiparticulates; liposomes; drug efficacy; targeted drug delivery; drug resistance; chronic suppressive regimental drug therapy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBT.2010.036601

International Journal of Biotechnology, 2010 Vol.11 No.3/4, pp.284 - 304

Published online: 04 Nov 2010 *

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