EFFECT OF BRIJ-78 ON SYSTEMIC DELIVERY OF INSULIN FROM AN OCULAR DEVICE

An ocular insert is developed for the controlled systemic delivery of insulin. Commercially available Gelfoam absorbable gelatin sponge, USP , is used in the fabrication of the ocular insert in the form of a mat rix system. Two eyedrop formulations and 13 eye device formulations we re evaluated. The efficacy of insulin ocular delivery was quantitated by monitoring the changes in its pharmacological response (i.e., blood glucose lowering). The in vivo results from devices containing 0.5 or 1.0 mg of insulin with 20 mu g of polyoxyethylene-20-stearyl ether (B rij-78) give a substantial improvement in insulin activity and a signi ficant prolongation in its duration compared with the eyedrops. In add ition, the mean blood glucose concentration returns to nearly normal l evels within 60 min after the removal of the device. Overall, the appl ication of the Gelfoam device makes it feasible to obtain a prolonged systemic delivery of insulin within the desired therapeutic levels wit hout the risk of hypoglycemia.