Vaginal Route

Introduction

A range of vaginal dosage forms are currently available and used in practice. These include

• Vaginal pessaries (suppositories, tablets and capsules)
• Liquids (vaginal solutions, emulsions and suspensions)
• Semi-solids (creams and gels)
• Vaginal films
• Vaginal rings
• Tablets for vaginal solutions and suspensions
• Gaseous preparations (sprays and foams)
• Medicated vaginal tampons

Indications

This route of drug administration is

• Intended for a range of local effects.
• Treatment of vaginal infections (e.g. bacterial, viral and fungal).
• Local delivery of hormones for labour induction.
• Contraception via the delivery of spermicides.
• Bypassing first-past (presystemic) metabolism
• Commercial vaginal progesterone as part of the assisted reproductive technology treatment program for infertile women
• Oestradiol for the development of uterine lining to combat vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women (hormone replacement therapy)

Disadvantages

• The vaginal route is sex-specific in nature.
• Can affect patient compliance especially for chronic ailments because of privacy and cultural aspects.
• Drug absorption can be affected by
• Menstrual cycle and hormonal variations
• Interpatient variations in the volume of cervicovaginal fluids.

How to Use