Using a drug to structure its release matrix and release profile

Silicone elastomers have proven to be useful implantable release matrices for hydrophobic drugs. However, their utility for the release of hydrophilic materials is less well developed and, even with the addition of polar excipients such as poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), burst release profiles are often observed-achieving longer term release is more challenging. We report that linoleic acid, initially used to solubilize polar, cationic nicotine in …