Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristics of sustained-release and controlled-release medical polymer materials, and to explore their application.
METHODS: Using “sustained-release drugs, controlled-release drugs, polymer material, drug delivery, clinical application” in Chinese and “controlled drug release, drug delivery, drug release material, polymer material, clinical application” in English as the keywords, a computer search was performed among articles published from January 2003 to March 2010. Articles related to clinical application of sustained-release and controlled-release pharmaceutical polymer materials were included; repeated study or Meta analysis articles were excluded. Thirty articles mainly discuss the type and performance characteristics of sustained- release and controlled-release medical polymer materials.
RESULTS: In recent years, sustained-release and controlled-release technologies are developing rapidly. Research, development and utilization of sustained-release and controlled-release formulations can greatly satisfy the clinical needs, and provide a strong guarantee for the prevention and treatment of many patients. There are a wide range of drugs suitable for the preparation of sustained-release and controlled-release pharmaceuticals, various types of sustained-release and controlled- release formulations, such as skeleton controlled-release formulations, coated controlled-release formulations, sustained-release capsules, microcapsule sustained-release formulations, sustained-release films, sustained-release suppositories have been widely used in the clinic.
CONCLUSION: The sustained-release and controlled-release formulations and the polymer materials have almost become an inalienable component of drug delivery and penetration process. Although the development of sustained-release and controlled- release formulations, as well as pharmaceutical equipment are constantly updated, they are not enough to achieve the desired application standards. Therefore, a new kind of materials with sustained-release and controlled-release characteristics should be developed.