Several crucial medications utilize liposomes for enhanced drug delivery, improving their efficacy and safety profiles. These include various anticancer agents and antifungals, leveraging liposomal technology to optimize therapeutic outcomes.
Liposomes are microscopic vesicles composed of a lipid bilayer, similar to natural cell membranes. This structure allows them to encapsulate drugs, protecting them from degradation and enabling targeted delivery within the body. This innovative drug delivery system can reduce toxicity to healthy tissues, prolong drug circulation time, and improve drug solubility for various therapeutic compounds.
Liposomal Drug Formulations in Clinical Use
Here is a list of drugs that are formulated with liposomes for clinical applications, along with their active ingredients, approval years, and administration routes:
| Brand Name | Active Ingredient | Approval Year | Administration Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doxil® | Doxorubicin | 1995 | i.v. |
| Abelcet® | Amphotericin B | 1995 | i.v. |
| DaunoXome® | Daunorubicin | 1996 | i.v. |
| Depocyt® | Cytarabine/Ara-C | 1999 | Spinal |
| Myocet® | Doxorubicin | 2000 | i.v. |
| Mepact® | Mifamurtide | 2004 | i.v. |
| Marqibo® | Vincristine | 2012 | i.v. |
| Onivyde™ | Irinotecan | 2015 | i.v. |
These liposomal formulations represent significant advancements in medical treatment, particularly in oncology and antifungal therapy, by offering improved pharmacokinetics and reduced side effects compared to their conventional counterparts.
