Pharmaceutical Cocrystals: Molecules, Crystals, Formulations, Medicines

Cocrystals are long known yet recently applied molecular entities. In the past decade, a significant potential has been demonstrated by these novel solids in terms of modifying the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of drugs. Thus far, publications have outlined various aspects of cocrystals at the molecular level concentrating on their design, growing techniques, and physicochemical characterizations. However, to take cocrystals from bench to bedside, they have to be incorporated into suitable formulations notwithstanding that the attention paid to cocrystal formulations is so diminutive. This is the first systematic review based exclusively on cocrystals formulation. In this contribution, the impact of cocrystals on essential pharmaceutical properties is glanced at before shining the spotlight on cocrystals formulation. The findings suggest that preformulation characteristics play a significant role, however, after which a number of approaches are desired in order to develop successful cocrystal formulations. It further highlights the main hurdles encountered with cocrystals formulation and other challenges to the transformation of cocrystals into viable medicines to have the full picture. There are marketed cocrystal products now, and it can be said it is only a matter of time before cocrystals are added to the main selection toolbox alongside salts for developing medicinal products.