Abstract
Permeation of butamben through a silicone membrane was investigated for up to 120 hours in the presence of three complexing agents. The complexes formed between these agents and the drug, each having different stability constants, were considered to serve as reservoirs of the drug. Release-sustaining behavior was evaluated for the three cases in permeation experiments. The rank order of the sustaining power was in agreement with the order of stability of each complex. By employing an agent which forms a stable complex, much drug can be introduced to the solution system. A desired release profile of drug can therefore be achieved by proper choice of a complexing agent. Surfactant micelles are also expected to function as reservoirs of the drug. Among the three surfactants examined, dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride solubilized butamben to a significant extent and showed excellent sustained-release of the drug. Possible application of surfactants to sustained-release systems was indicated.
