The vagina remains to be an unexplored route of drug delivery. As a site of drug delivery it offers certain unique features which made vagina an excellent route of drug delivery for both local and systemic effect. Gels are semi-solid systems form a three-dimensional, polymeric matrix in which a high degree of physical/chemical reticulation has been comprised. Gels can present several advantages over other vaginal drug delivery systems such as higher bioavailability, safety, versatility, and economical savings. They are mainly used for topical delivery of contraceptives, anti bacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antiviral, labor-inducing and spermicidal agents, prostaglandins, steroids and also used as an “empty” gel for moisturizing of dry vaginal mucosa. vaginal gels possess a higher biocompatibility and bioadhesivity and can be rapidly eliminated through normal catabolic pathways which decreases the risk for irritative or allergic host reaction at the application site. Mucoadhesive polymer is being used to improve performance of gel and it will be retained at the site and release the drug in a controlled and prolonged manner, so that the drug can be continuously supplied to the absorption sites and reduces dosing frequency. Here, discussed and summarized use and research being done on gel as vaginal drug delivery.
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