Pharmaceutical Liquid Dosage Forms in Space: Looking Toward the Future by Learning from the Past

Abstract

The previous few decades have witnessed an unprecedented expansion of space exploration programs across the world. As the objective of spaceflight transitions from Lower Earth Orbit (LEO) and exploratory expeditions to the more ambitious interplanetary, deep space, and residential missions, the inclusion of healthcare provisions such as medications for the crew becomes an imperative consideration. However, in most cases, the different formulations of pharmaceutical products used to treat human disorders are manufactured for use in the terrestrial environment, have not been tested in microgravity and deep space. Exposure to cosmic radiation, temperature fluctuations, microgravity, and many other special space-related characteristics may adversely affect pharmaceutical dosage forms. This is especially true for liquid dosage formulations that are considered less stable over their shelf life than the solid dosage forms. This chapter explores the effect of microgravity on the manufacture, stability, bioavailability, and shelf life of the common liquid pharmaceutical dosage formulations known as solutions and suspensions.