Chemicals and Drugs

Drug Carriers

Forms to which substances are incorporated to improve the delivery and the effectiveness of drugs. Drug carriers are used in drug-delivery systems such as the controlled-release technology to prolong in vivo drug actions, decrease drug metabolism, and reduce drug toxicity. Carriers are also used in designs to increase the effectiveness of drug delivery to the target sites of pharmacological actions. Liposomes, albumin microspheres, soluble synthetic polymers, DNA complexes, protein-drug conjugates, and carrier erythrocytes among others have been employed as biodegradable drug carriers.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Forms to which substances are incorporated to improve the delivery and the effectiveness of drugs. Drug carriers are used in drug-delivery systems such as the controlled-release technology to prolong in vivo drug actions, decrease drug metabolism, and reduce drug toxicity. Carriers are also used in designs to increase the effectiveness of drug delivery to the target sites of pharmacological actions. Liposomes, albumin microspheres, soluble synthetic polymers, DNA complexes, protein-drug conjugates, and carrier erythrocytes among others have been employed as biodegradable drug carriers.

MeSH Record

Classification

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Synonyms

1 entry terms
  • Drug Carrier

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

18 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, analysis, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, economics, history, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

coord with specific drug

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History Note

88

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Previous Indexing

  • Delayed-Action Preparations (1966-1987)
  • Drugs (1966-1987)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. D26.255w.260w
  2. E02w.319w.300.380w

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QV 785

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Drug Carriers. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D004337. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D004337
  2. Drug Carriers. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_carrier
  3. Drug Carriers. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3715494