Abstract
Objective: To review the literature about drug polymorphism, the importance of this phenomenon in the development of drugs for the pharmaceutical industry and to demonstrate the most recent and current studies of drugs that have polymorphic structures. Method: The paper was carried out from the analysis of scientific articles, selecting those with content directly related to the theme. Result: Polymorphism, depending on the applications and physical-chemical properties directly impacting the production of drugs in the solid state, with changes in bioavailability, may present a placebo effect and toxic effect. Depending on the drug, the production conditions, such as pH and temperature and the excipient used in the development of the pharmaceutical form, different structures of polymorphs of the same drug can be observed. Final Considerations: Brazil has its pharmaceutical production based on the production of generic drugs and the like, in this way, formulations, excipients and processing are adapted to a new demand. Depending on the conditions of production and production new properties in the solid state can be observed, which requires better monitoring by the quality control of medicines. New active principles and drug optimization can be exploited by this mechanism. Studies in this area are scarce and descriptions are imperative.