BIODEGRADABLE POLY(LACTIC ACID) AND POLY (LACTIDE-CO-GLYCOLIDE) POLYMERS IN SUSTAINED DRUG DELIVERY

Poly(lactic acid) [PLA] and its co-polymers with glycolic acid [PLCG] have been known for the past 20 years of its biodegradability and histocompatibility. Their physico-chemical and biological properties have been found suitable, in many instances, for sustaining drug release in vivo and in vitro from days to months. A wide variety of drugs ranging from small molecular weight therapeutic agents to peptide hormones, antibiotics, chemotherapeutic drugs have been studied using these biodegradable polymers. Several parenteral and oral dosage forms have been investigated, which includes microcapsules, implants, pseudolatices, nanoparticles, tablets, films as well as occular devices for local delivery of drug into the eye. An attempt have been taken in this paper to review the prospect of using these biodegradable polymers for long term parenteral drug delivery of different classes of drugs. © 1990 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.