Polymers Role in CDDS

Prepared by:
Mr. Lalit Rana
 Polymer
The word “polymer ” means
parts.”
“many A polymer is a large
molecule made up of many small
repeating units.
Polymers are considered to be a
subset of macromolecules.
Macromolecule refers to any large
molecule.
A monomer is a small
that
moleculecombines with other
molecules of the same or different
types to form a polymer.
DEFINITION
Polymers are very large molecules made when hundreds of monomers join together to
form long chains

The word ‘polymer ’ comes from the Greek words poly

(meaning
‘many’) and meros (meaning ‘parts’).

Example: POLYBUTADIENE =
(BUTADIENE+ BUTADIENE+......)n
Where n = 4,000
CHARACTERISTICS OF IDEAL
POLYMER
1. Low Density.
2. Low coefficient of friction.
3. Good corrosion resistance.
4. Good mould ability.
5. Excellent surface finish can be obtained.
6. Can be produced with close dimensional tolerances.
7. Economical.
8. Poor tensile strength.
9. Low mechanical properties.
10. Poor temperature resistance.
11. Can be produced transparent or in different colours
 Classification Of Polymers
Natural Polymer
1. Protien-based polymer: Collagen, Albumin,
Gelatin
2. Polysaccharides: Alginate, Cyclodextrin, Chitosan, Dextran, Agarose, Hyaluronic acid, Starch,
Cellulose

Synthetic Polymers

Biodegradable Polymer
a) Polyester: Poly lactic acid, Poly glycolic acid Poly hydroxyl butyrate,
Polyester, Polycaprolactone Poly lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA), Poly diaxonone

b) Polyanhydride: Poly adepic acid, Poly sebacic acid Poly terpthalic

acid
c) Polyamides: Poly amino acid, Poly imino carbonate
d) Phosphorous based polymer: Polyphosphates, Poly phosphonates, Poly
Phosphazenes
e) Others: Poly cyanoacrylates, Poly urethanes, Poly ortho ester, Polyacetals
etc. Non-Biodegradable polymers
a) Cellulose derivative: Carboxy methyl cellulose, Ethyl cellulose Cellulose acetate
hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose

b) Silicons: Polydimethyl siloxane, Colloidal silica, Polymethacrylate, Polymethyl

methacrylate c) Others: Poly vinyl pyrolidine, Ethyl vinyl acetate, Poloxamine etc.
 Applications of Polymers for Controlled
Drug Delivery
1. The Ocusert
System
The delivery of therapeutic agents to the eye
for the treatment of disorders of the eye, (e.g.,
glaucoma), using conventional drug delivery
systems, e.g., drops, ointments, is an inefficient
process.

The efficiency of ocular drug delivery is

improved through the use of polymeric
implants that are implanted under the lower
cul-de-sac of the eye. In this system pilocarpine
is dispersed within an alginic acid matrix which
is sandwiched between two layers each
composed of poly(ethy1ene-co-vinyl
It is designed to release either 20 µg/h or 40
acetate).
µg/h of a therapeutic agent for a seven day
period following implantation.
2. Transdermal Patches
Transdermal drug delivery involves the
diffusion of the drug through the skin and
ultimately absorption into the systemic
circulation.
The drug delivery system is composed of
several layers, namely a metallic backing
layer, which is impermeable to drug diffusion
thereby preventing drug loss, the drug
containing reservoir, a rate controlling
membrane and an adhesive layer.

In the matrix drug is dissolved or dispersed

with solid polymer (acrylate co-polymer).
 3. ORAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM:

Here, the drug gets released at controlled rate when administered

orally. For that several mechanisms are involved.
a) Osmotic pressure controlled GI delivery system
b) Gel diffusion controlled GI delivery system
c) Muco-adhesive GI delivery system
a) Osmotic pressure controlled GI delivery system:
b) Gel diffusion controlled GI delivery system
c) Muco-adhesive GI delivery system
 4.Ocular Drug Delivery System

• Itallows prolonged contact of drug with

corneal surface of eye. The example for ODDS
is pilocarpine in the treatment of glaucoma. In
this muco-adhesive polymers are used as
barriers to control the drug release.
• E.g.
Polyacrylic acid
Co polymers of acetate vinyl & ethyl