Chapter 1 Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Polymer Chemistry1
1.1 The Concept of a Polymer1
1.2 Addition Polymerization4
1.3 Chain Branching; Graft and Block Copolymers15
1.4 Polymer Structure and Properties18
1.5 Technology of Polymerization24
1.6 The Principal Monomers and Their Polymers27
1.7 Physical Properties of Monomers37
References41
Chapter 2 Pharmaceutical Polymers: Principles and Structures42
2.1 Introduction42
2.2 Intra and Inter Polymer Molecular Interactions45
2.3 Molecular Mass: Polydispersivity and Effects on Polymer Viscosity47
2.4 Thermal Properties: Effect of Crystalline and Amorphous Phases51
2.5 Mechanical Properties of Polymers54
2.6 Pharmaceutical Polymers: Principles, Structures, and Applications of Pharmaceutical Delivery Systems61
References80
Chapter 3 Polymers as Drugs81
3.1 Introduction81
3.2 Polymers for Molecular Sequestration83
3.3 Polyvalent Interactions and Anti-Infective Polymeric Drugs 95
3.4 Polymeric Drugs for the Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases105
3.5 Polymeric Anti-Obesity Drugs107
3.6 Polymer Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease111
3.7 Conclusions and Outlook on Polymers as Drugs112
References113
Chapter 4 Pharmaceutical Applications of Natural Polymers114
4.1 Introduction114
4.2 Portals of Drug Administration in the Human Body116
4.3 Transdermal Drug Delivery Devices117
4.4 Topical Drug Delivery124
4.5 Oral Drug Delivery System131
4.6 Parenteral Drug Delivery Systems132
4.7 Nasal Drug Delivery Systems134
4.8 Hydrogel-Based Drug Delivery Systems136
References147
Chapter 5 Hydrophobic Polymers of Pharmaceutical Significance149
5.1 Introduction149
5.2 Examples of Hydrophobic Polymers and Their Drug Delivery Applications150
5.3 Conclusions167
References168
Chapter 6 Polymers in Drug Delivery169
6.1 Evolution of Drug Dosage Forms169
6.2 Polymer Excipients172
6.3 Polymers as Manufacture Aids and Sustained Release174
References200
Chapter 7 Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology: Overcoming Drug Delivery Challenges in Contemporary Medicine202
7.1 Challenges in Delivery of Contemporary Therapeutics202
7.2 Nanotechnology Solutions207
7.3 Illustrative Examples of Nanotechnology Products211
7.4 Multifunctional Nanotechnology218
7.5 Regulatory Issues in Nano-pharmaceuticals225
7.6 Conclusions and Future Outlook235
References235
Chapter 8 Thermal Analysis of Pharmaceutical Polymers237
8.1 Introduction237
8.2 Theoretical Background of Thermal Analysis238
8.3 Physical and Chemical Phenomena Commonly Investigated Using Thermal Approaches244
8.4 Applications of Thermal Analysis for the Characterisation of Pharmaceutical Raw Materials248
8.5 Applications of Thermal Analysis for the Characterisation of Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms250
8.6 Conclusion255
References255
Chapter 9 Applications of AFM in Pharmaceutical Polymers256
9.1 Introduction256
9.2 Use of AFM in Pharmaceutical Sciences263
9.3 AFM Combined With Optical or Spectroscopic Techniques271
9.4 Summary271
References273
Chapter 10 Rheology in Pharmaceutically Used Polymers274
10.1 Introduction274
10.2 Theoretical Background and Fundamental Concepts275
10.3 Practical Issues of Rheological Measurements289
10.4 Application of the Technique292
10.5 Summary297
References297