[Intravaginal pharmaceutical dosage forms: present and future choice. I. Traditional forms]

The vagina is a potential route of systemic administration of drugs especially those which can break down in the intestine or those which encounter a first passage hepatic effect. The acidic vagina serves as a barrier against most pathogens. Other characteristics acting as natural barriers to infection include thick mucus a dense network of blood and lymphatic vessels and lactobacilli growth. Vaginal secretions can influence the absorption of drugs administered vaginally. The vaginal approach is beneficial for delivery of progesterone estradiol and prostaglandins. Criteria of intravaginal pharmaceutical preparations are: must not change either the vaginal flora or the normal pH of the mucus and must help to reestablish them; must allow release of active ingredient and regular distribution of the medicine in the vagina; and must penetrate the folds and jagged outlines of the vagina. Intravaginal pharmaceutical preparations also must not cause irritation or marked odor; must not stain clothes or skin must be easy to insert must keep the medicine from leaving the vagina must be compatible with other medicines and must not allow the penis to irritate the vaginal during intercourse. They must be accepted by the patient. Various forms of pharmaceutical preparations include vaginal tablets creams jellies suppositories capsules douches foams and tampons. This literature review stresses problems linked to administration of the intravaginal pharmaceutical preparations their advantages as compared with other vaginal forms and use of these preparations as contraceptive methods.