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Pharmaceutical applications for molecularly imprinted polymers.

Abstract

Molecular imprinting is a means of introducing sites of specific molecular arrangement into an otherwise uniform polymeric matrix. This is achieved by formation of a pre-polymerisation complex between complementary monomers and the template molecule. Subsequent polymerisation in the presence of a crosslinker, in a porogenic environment, results in the production of a macroporous polymer capable of specific molecular recognition. This paper considers potential roles for molecularly imprinted polymers within a pharmaceutical remit. Applications including controlled release, drug monitoring devices and biological receptor mimetics are discussed. Histamine and ephedrine molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were studied as potential biological receptor mimics whilst a propranolol MIP was investigated for its use as a rate attenuating selective excipient in a transdermal controlled release device. Preliminary studies concerning the preparation of a theophylline selective transcutaneous monitoring device, using a theophylline MIP, are also described.

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BibTeXRIS

C J Allender, C Richardson, B Woodhouse, C M Heard, K R Brain. 2000-02-15. Pharmaceutical applications for molecularly imprinted polymers.. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-5173(99)00355-5

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