Release and diffusion studies of hydrogels based on itaconic acid

Abstract

Controlled release studies of drugs (theophylline (TH), fenethylline hydrochloride (FE) and gentamicin sulphate (GS)) from pH sensitive poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate/itaconic acid) (P(HEMA/IA)) hydrogels obtained by gamma irradiation were carried out to investigate transport phenomena. Drug behavior and release profiles were analyzed using the restriction coefficient combining the influence of network structure and the size of the drug on release and transport properties. The results demonstrated that the ratio of drug radius to polymer pore size and drugpolymer interactions were dominant factors in hindering the diffusion process. The diffusivity of a drug through the hydrogels decreases with the size of the drug molecules and with the decrease in gel pore size. The diffusion equations for used drugs explain drug transport in hydrogels.