Otic Drug Delivery Systems: Current and Future Perspectives

Many people worldwide suffer from various ear diseases, and their treatments are still challenging. The tympanic, round, and oval windows, and the blood-perilymph barrier are the three main physical obstacles to drug delivery. Conventional methods, such as oral administration or injections, often fail to overcome these obstacles. However, local drug delivery systems present a potential solution by reducing side effects and allowing higher drug concentrations to reach the inner ear. Numerous drug delivery techniques and patents have been evaluated in clinical and research settings in recent years. Even though otic drug delivery has evolved, there are still a number of issues, and further study is required to maximize these therapeutic modalities for clinical use. This review summarizes various local drug delivery techniques. Current barriers in otic drug delivery are highlighted, as well as innovative systems for future clinical applications.