Effect of the solubility of antibiotics on their release from degradable polyurethane

Application of biodegradable polyester urethane, as a drug loading matrix in the form of a coating on implant devices was investigated. Polyester urethane films were loaded with model antibiotics, like rifampicin, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin and their release characteristics were evaluated in simulated body fluid. Effect of solubility of antibiotics and degradation of matrix on the drug release behavior of biodegradable polyester urethane coating was also studied. It was observed that antibiotics having hydrophilicity or lipophilicity same as that of polymer matrix provide an extended release with relatively less initial burst release. Effect of degradation of polymer matrix has a dual significance in this case and the drug release rate increases with the increase in degradation rate. A high initial burst release was observed for antibiotics having hydrophilicity or lipophilicity opposite to that of polyurethane matrix and hence in this case antibiotic release was not significantly controlled by degradation of matrix.