title: Preparation and characterization of fentanyl-loaded PLGA microspheres: in vitro release profiles.
abstract: We developed several kinds of fentanyl-loaded poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres (FMS) for sustained release of fentanyl. FMS were prepared by an emulsion solvent-evaporation method. In this study, the influences of several preparation parameters, such as initial drug loading, polymer concentration, and solvent volume on the release patterns of fentanyl were investigated. Furthermore, it has been well noted that the detection of fentanyl is extremely difficult because its clinical dose level is very low, about 1-3 ng/ml, in cancer-patient treatment. Therefore, we also developed a rapid and sensitive determination method for fentanyl in systemic circulation by employing gas chromatography (GC) system. Fentanyl was slowly released from FMS over 15 days with a quasi-zero order property. From the results, our FMS may be good formulations to deliver the analgesics and suitable for the treatment of severe pain over long periods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Polymer Science and Technology, Chonbuk National University, 664-14 Dukjin, Chonju 561-756, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hak Soo
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Sun Ah
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Gilson
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Khang
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rhee
authors.forename: Hai Bang
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D004339:Drug Compounding; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008863:Microspheres; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers; D012995:Solubility; D012997:Solvents
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D011108:Polymers; D012997:Solvents; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; D005283:Fentanyl