Eudragit-Based Nanoparticles for Oral Drug Delivery
Filipa Bettencourt, Patrícia C. Pires, Francisco Veiga, Ana Cláudia Paiva-Santos, Amélia C. F. VieiraThe development of oral drug delivery systems has become a major priority for pharmaceutical technology, driven by the growing demand for medicinal products that improve compliance, enhance therapeutic efficacy, and minimise drug-related adverse effects. Therefore, the ability to modulate drug release kinetics through systems capable of controlled and targeted delivery is crucial. In this context, Eudragit-based nanoparticles have demonstrated great potential in enhancing drug stability, controlling release profiles, and improving site-specific targeting in the gastrointestinal tract. Polymethacrylate copolymers (Eudragit®) exhibit pH-dependent solubility, mucoadhesive properties, and tunable drug-loading capacities, making them highly suitable for advanced oral formulations. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the use of Eudragit® in the design of nanoparticulate systems for oral drug delivery: inorganic nanoparticles, nanocrystals, lipid-based carriers, and polymeric nanoparticles. A special focus is given to the formulation’s composition, preparation method, physicochemical properties and the mechanisms of controlled drug release, but also to in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo characterisation. Emphasis is placed on controlled-release strategies, targeted delivery, and the impact of polymeric materials in optimising therapeutic outcomes. By exploring these aspects, this review aims to highlight current research advances on Eudragit-based nanoparticles, their potential applications, and the challenges that must be addressed before these nanosystems can be considered robust platforms for improving oral drug bioavailability and efficacy.