Biodegradation and biocompatibility of contraceptive-steroid-loaded poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) injectable microspheres: in vitro and in vivo study.

Purpose: A controlled-release drug delivery of contraceptive steroids levonorgestrel (LNG) and ethinyl estradiol (EE) has been developed by successful encapsulation of LNG and EE in poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) microspheres.

Materials And Methods: Smooth, spherical, steroid-loaded PLG microspheres with a mean size of 10-25 microm were prepared by using the water/oil/water double-emulsion solvent evaporation method.

Results: In vitro release profiles showed an increased burst release of LNG/EE on Week 1; thereafter, the release was sustained.

Characterization of polymeric poly(epsilon-caprolactone) injectable implant delivery system for the controlled delivery of contraceptive steroids.

Contraceptive steroids levonorgestrel (LNG) and ethinyl estradiol (EE) have been encapsulated with poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) microspheres using a w / o /w double emulsion method. The microspheres prepared were smooth and spherical, with a mean size from 8-25 microm. In vitro release profiles of microspheres showed a trend of increasing initially at the first week, and thereafter the release was sustained.

Influence of manufacturing parameters on development of contraceptive steroid loaded injectable microspheres.

The main objective of this work was to develop a system consisting of polymeric microspheres loaded with steroid drugs. The drugs were encapsulated using biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) by double emulsion solvent evaporation method. The lipophilic drugs, levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol were made soluble by adding ethanol/water mixture.

Preparation and characterization of injectable microspheres of contraceptive hormones.

Present study describes the development of a new formulation of levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol based on double emulsion-solvent evaporation technique using poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) as biodegradable polymer. The effect of polymer concentration on microspheres and entrapment of drug into microspheres were studied. PCL was selected because of its hydrophobicity and advantages over other biodegradable polymers.