Timolol maleate release from pH-sensible poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) hydrogels

• Published in: European polymer journal Vol. 40; no. 8; pp. 1683 - 1690
• Main Authors: Garcı́a, D.M, Escobar, J.L, Noa, Y, Bada, N, Hernáez, E, Katime, I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2004; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Exact sciences and technology; General pharmacology; Hydrogel; Medical sciences; Organic polymers; pH-sensible; Pharmaceutical technology. Pharmaceutical industry; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Physicochemistry of polymers; Properties and characterization; Solution and gel properties; Timolol; pH-sensible; Timolol; Hydrogel; Antiglaucomatous agent; Transport properties; Swelling; Control release polymer; Drug carrier; Hydroxyethyl methacrylate copolymer; Experimental study; Molecular weight property relation; Molecule scattering; Colloidal gel; Methacrylic acid copolymer; Polyelectrolyte; pH; Kinetics; Release
• ISSN: 0014-3057; 1873-1945
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2004.03.012

Multifunctional polymeric materials were obtained from poly(methacrylic acid-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), to be used as a raw material in the manufacture of contact lens and as drug delivery systems. Poly(methacrylic acid-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) was prepared by free-radical polymerization in aqueous solution at 60 °C using potassium persulfate (KPS) as initiator and N, N ′-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS) as cross-linker agent. The dynamic and equilibrium swelling properties of dry glassy poly(methacrylic acid-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) polymeric networks were studied as a function of pH and methacrylic acid (MAA) content. The water content increase as MAA content and pH increase. Timolol maleate delivery from poly(MAA) and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (HEMA) homopolymers was studied and the results show a Fickian diffusion behavior.