Title: matrix formulation
Long Title: IUPAC Gold Book - matrix formulation
DOI: 10.1351/goldbook.15207
Status: current

Definition
Specific case of drug embedding in insoluble excipients (typically in a polymer) in order to achieve extended release.

Notes
1) Matrices can be monolithic or heterogeneous, dissolved or dispersed, or both.
2) This term also applies to a matrix made of hydrophilic substances, which, in contact with water, form a gel of high viscosity.

Example
Matrix tablet.

Related Terms
- : https://goldbook.iupac.org//terms/view/1
- embedding: https://goldbook.iupac.org//terms/view/15183
- extended release: https://goldbook.iupac.org//terms/view/15239

Source
- PAC, 2009, 81, 971. 'Glossary of terms related to pharmaceutics (IUPAC Recommendations 2009)' on page 990 (https://doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REC-04-10-14)

Other Outputs
- html: https://goldbook.iupac.org/terms/view/15207/html
- json: https://goldbook.iupac.org/terms/view/15207/json
- xml: https://goldbook.iupac.org/terms/view/15207/xml

Citation: Citation: 'matrix formulation' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. 10.1351/goldbook.15207
License: The IUPAC Gold Book is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike CC BY-SA 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) for individual terms.
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Disclaimer: The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is continuously reviewing and, where needed, updating terms in the Compendium of Chemical Terminology (the IUPAC Gold Book). Users of these terms are encouraged to include the version of a term with its use and to check regularly for updates to term definitions that you are using.
Accessed: 2026-05-31T09:11:12+00:00