Advances in the Prophylaxis of Respiratory Infections by the Nasal and the Oromucosal Route: Relevance to the Fight with the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

Nadezhda Ivanova; Yoana Sotirova; Georgi Gavrailov; Krastena Nikolova; Velichka Andonova

doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics14030530

Advances in the Prophylaxis of Respiratory Infections by the Nasal and the Oromucosal Route: Relevance to the Fight with the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

Pharmaceutics. 2022 Feb 27;14(3):530. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14030530.

Authors

Nadezhda Ivanova¹, Yoana Sotirova¹, Georgi Gavrailov¹, Krastena Nikolova², Velichka Andonova¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmaceutical Technologies, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Varna, 55 Marin Drinov Str., 9000 Varna, Bulgaria.
² Department of Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Varna, 55 Marin Drinov Str., 9000 Varna, Bulgaria.

Abstract

In this time of COVID-19 pandemic, the strategies for prevention of the infection are a primary concern. Looking more globally on the subject and acknowledging the high degree of misuse of protective face masks from the population, we focused this review on alternative pharmaceutical developments eligible for self-defense against respiratory infections. In particular, the attention herein is directed to the nasal and oromucosal formulations intended to boost the local immunity, neutralize or mechanically "trap" the pathogens at the site of entry (nose or mouth). The current work presents a critical review of the contemporary methods of immune- and chemoprophylaxis and their suitability and applicability in topical mucosal dosage forms for SARS-CoV-2 prophylaxis.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; antiviral drugs; mucoadhesive dosage forms; mucosal drug delivery; nasal drug delivery; prophylaxis; protective nasal sprays; protective oral sprays; respiratory infections.

Publication types

Review