الفهرس 
General Introduction
ExperimentalOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 16 |  |  |
| | | from | 16 | | |
Abstract
Summary
Heparins (both unfractionated (UFH)) and low molecular weight (LMWH) derivatives) are well characterized and have been widely used in the clinic as anticoagulants for more than 50 years. They remain the agents of choice for pharmacologic thromboprohylaxis, treatment of thromboembolism during pregnancy, with paediatric patients and in myocardial infarction, cardiovascular surgery, coronary angioplasty and numerous other conditions. In comparison with UFH, LMWHs exhibit lower binding to secondary locations and thus have a better safety profile.
Amongst the LMWHs, Enoxaparin (Enox) has the broadest range of FDA-approved indications, and thus is the most widely used. However, it is only available in the market as a sterile aqueous solution for intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous (SC) administration. This parenteral solution suffers from a short half-life resulting in the need for daily administration of large doses which compromises patient compliance and increases risk of side effects.
IV administration presents the most efficient delivery method investigated in the literature so far for Enox. This is due to the drug’s high anionic charge density, large molecular weight and low stability in acidic stomach pH limiting its gastrointestinal absorption.
The objective of this thesis was therefore to develop lung targeted and sustained release formulations of Enox for IV administration so as to overcome some of the drawbacks of the market solution and improve its therapeutic outcome.