Formulation for controlled release of drugs by combining hydrophilic and hydrophobic agents

Abstract

Combinations of hydrophilic and hydrophobic entities in a biodegradable sustained release implant are shown to modulate each other's rate of release. Formulations of a therapeutically active agent and modulator provide substantially constant rate of release for an extended period of time.

1 - 9 . (canceled)  
     
     
         10 . A method for treating uveitis comprising placing at least one implant in the vitreal chamber of a patient's eye afflicted with uveitis, the at least one implant comprising a matrix and an anti-inflammatory agent.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the at least one implant is configured to release the anti-inflammatory agent in the vitreous of the eye over a period of at least three days.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the at least one implant is configured to release the anti-inflammatory agent over a period of about 4 to 6 weeks in the vitreous of the eye.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the matrix comprises a polymeric material.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the matrix is biodegradable.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the matrix comprises a biodegradable polymeric material.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the at least one implant includes no release modifier.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the placing step comprises implanting the at least one implant directly in the vitreous of the eye.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the at least one implant is extruded.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the at least one implant is an extruded filament.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the anti-inflammatory agent is a steroid.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the anti-inflammatory agent is a corticosteroid.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the anti-inflammatory agent is selected from the group consisting of dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, cortisone, prenisolone, prenisone, progesterone-like compounds, medrysone and fluorometholone.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the anti-inflammatory agent is dexamethasone.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the matrix comprises a polylactic acid polyglycolic acid (PLGA) copolymer.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the matrix comprises a polylactic acid polyglycolic acid (PLGA) copolymer.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the matrix comprises a polylactic acid polyglycolic acid (PLGA) copolymer.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the matrix comprises a polylactic acid polyglycolic acid (PLGA) copolymer.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the matrix comprises a polylactic acid polyglycolic acid (PLGA) copolymer.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the anti-inflammatory agent makes up between about 1% and about 80% by weight of the at least one implant.  
     
     
         30 . A method for treating uveitis comprising placing an extruded filament implant into the vitreal chamber of a patient's eye afflicted with uveitis, the implant comprising a PLGA copolymer and an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid, wherein the implant is configured to release the anti-inflammatory agent over a period of up to about 6 weeks.