Inulin‐Lipid Core–Shell Microcapsules Target the Gut Microbiota and Mimic the Pharmaceutical Food Effect for Improved Oral Antipsychotic Delivery

The oral delivery of most atypical antipsychotics is severely challenged by their low oral bioavailability and significant food effects that necessitate patient compliance. Lipid formulations are an attractive delivery system for overcoming the dosing challenges of antipsychotics, but their negative impact on the gut microbiota can interfere with the pharmacodynamic response through disruption of the gut‐brain axis. Here, novel gut microbiota‐targeting microcapsules are engineered to provide a multifunctional approach for improving both the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the antipsychotic, lurasidone. The microcapsules are comprised of a lipid core that facilitates the solubilization and oral absorption of the lipophilic drug and an outer carbohydrate polymer (inulin) shell that positively modulates the gut microbiota by facilitating microbial fermentation. Fed‐fasted variability in lurasidone solubilization is mitigated through microencapsulation with inulin‐lipid microcapsules (ILM), while microbiota enrichment is coupled with enhanced serotonin levels in the small intestine, faeces, and plasma. The realization of multifunctional ILM confirms the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of mental health therapies, such as antipsychotics, can be optimized through strategic encapsulation within functional formulations that target the gut microbiota for effective modulation of the gut‐brain axis. A multifunctional oral drug delivery vehicle is engineered to overcome the multifaceted challenges of antipsychotic drugs, including their poor bioavailability and impact on the gut‐brain axis. Inulin‐lipid microcapsules facilitated an increase in lurasidone absorption by increasing drug solubility while targeting the gut microbiota increased microbial abundance and diversity and facilitated an increase in systemic and faecal serotonin levels.