Formulation and Evaluation of Microspheres of Cefdinir

Abstract

Microspheres are sub-micron size polymeric drug carrier systems in which the therapeutic agents are loaded in
micrometer. These particles consist of core material, which is the drug, and a coating material. Microspheres are
considered as a very promising controlled and targeted drug delivery system. The formulation and clinical
application of microspheres is based on the physicochemical, pharmacokinetic and pharmacological properties
of drugs. Cefdinir is a beta-lactam antibiotic and is mainly bactericidal. Cefdinir inhibits the third and final stage
of bacterial cell wall synthesis by preferentially binding to specific penicillin binding proteins, those are located
inside the bacterial cell wall. Cefdinir is a third generation anti-biotic used for the treatment of community -
acquired pneumonia, acute bacterial otitis media and uncompleted skin and skin structure infections in adult and
pediatric patient. Incorporation of Cefdinir in polymeric microspheres can successfully increase the biological
half-life and reduce the therapeutic dose of their drug, thereby minimizing the adverse drug reaction. Cefdinir
microspheres were formulated by emulsion solvent evaporation method using ethyl cellulose polymer. All the
above studies reveal that the microsphere can serve as an ideal drug delivery system for Cefdinir. Further studies
can be done on the stability of cefdinir-loaded microspheres and the improvement in therapeutic efficacy due to
the targeting effect on to the specific receptor sites.