Administration of drugs through the vagina is one of the oldest forms of drug therapy. Vaginal tablets are a form of medication specifically designed for intravaginal administration. They provide a targeted topical approach to address a variety of gynecological conditions and provide therapeutic benefits. Vaginal tablets are formulated to deliver the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) directly into the vagina, ensuring optimal efficacy and minimal systemic absorption.

Protheragen-ING specializes in developing customized, high-quality vaginal tablets to meet specific therapeutic needs. Our experienced formulation scientists create innovative solutions prioritizing efficacy, patient compliance, and safety. With cutting-edge technology and stringent quality standards, we are committed to delivering superior products contributing to women's health and well-being.

Fig. 1 Vaginal drug delivery route. (Osmałek T, et al. 2021)

Benefits of Vaginal Tablets

• Targeted delivery - Provides localized drug delivery, directly targeting the affected area, resulting in higher drug concentrations at the site of action.
• Reduced systemic side effects - Bypasses the digestive system and liver, minimizing systemic absorption.
• Improved patient compliance - Easy to use, non-invasive and well tolerated by patients.
• Enhanced bioavailability - Optimizes drug release, ensuring sustained and controlled release of the active ingredient in the vagina.

Formulation of Vaginal Tablets

The vaginal tablets we have developed consist of carefully selected ingredients. They are designed to ensure stability, controlled release, and compatibility with the vaginal environment. Formulations typically include APIs, excipients, and other ancillary substances.

The most common type of vaginal tablets are polymer-based tablets, in which the active substance is uniformly distributed in a hydrophilic polymer backbone. When hydrophilic polymers interact with vaginal fluids, they create an in situ gelling effect through which the drug diffuses.

Following are some of the polymers that we commonly use for vaginal drug delivery systems:

Types of Vaginal Tablets

Protheragen-ING can develop vaginal tablets to address a variety of gynecological conditions. Some common types of vaginal tablets include:

• Antifungal Vaginal Tablets: These tablets are formulated specifically for the treatment of vaginal fungal infections such as candidiasis and contain active ingredients that fight fungal overgrowth and relieve associated symptoms.
• Hormonal Vaginal Tablets: These tablets are designed to deliver hormones directly to the vagina to provide topical hormone therapy for conditions such as menopausal symptoms, vaginal atrophy, or hormone imbalance.
• Contraceptive Vaginal Tablets: These tablets contain the contraceptive pill and can be used as an alternative to oral contraceptives.
• Vaginal Moisturizing Tablets: These tablets are developed to relieve vaginal dryness and discomfort. They provide hydration and lubrication to the vaginal tissues and improve the overall health of the vagina.

Technology Used in Vaginal Tablets

• Direct compression - This technology involves mixing APIs and excipients into a homogeneous mixture and then pressing them into tablet form. Direct compression offers the advantages of simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and a shorter manufacturing process.
• Wet Granulation - This technology involves mixing APIs and excipients with a liquid binder to form granules. These granules are then dried and compressed into tablets. Wet granulation is particularly suitable for moisture-sensitive APIs or where improved flowability is required.

Vaginal Tablet Manufacturing Process

1. Formulation Development

Consideration of the specific therapeutic requirements, compatibility and stability of the API and excipient.

2. Blend or Granule Preparation

API and excipients are blended or granulated using suitable technology (e.g. direct compression or wet granulation).

3. Tabletting

The mixture or granules are pressed into tablet form using a specialized tablet press.

4. Coating (if required)

Some vaginal tablets may require coating to enhance stability, control release or improve aesthetics.

5. Quality Control

The vaginal tablets produced undergo rigorous quality control testing to ensure that they meet the required standards for potency, dissolution, homogeneity and stability.

6. Packaging and Labeling

The final vaginal tablets are packaged and labeled according to regulatory requirements and industry standards.

Contact us today to discuss your vaginal tablet development requirements and explore how we can help you realize your vision.