The use of chitin and chitosan as drug carriers.

Abstract

The suitability of chitin and chitosan for use as vehicles for the sustained release of drugs was examined. Indomethacin and papaverine hydrochloride were used as model drugs in this evaluation. Sustained release of the drugs from the dried gels was obtained. Drugs dispersed in the chitosan gels were released at a constant rate (zero order). Chitin and chitosan could be useful vehicles for the sustained release of drugs.