Cephazoline sodium release from poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide-co-N,N-dimethylacrylamide) hydrogels

Hydrogels are hydrophilic polymers that swell to an equilibrium volume in the presence of water, preserving their shape. The dynamic swelling behavior of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N,N-dimethylacrylamide) [poly(NIPA-co-DMA)] copolymers at 37degreesC was investigated. It was observed that the swelling degree in the copolymers decreases with the N-isopropylacrylamide content. In addition, the liberation mechanism was found to be Fickian. Diffusion coefficients according to Fick's law as a function of the N-isopropylacrylamide concentration and results of the release process are reported. The kinetics of cephazoline sodium release from poly(NIPA-co-DMA) hydrogels with different compositions was studied. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.