SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF METHACRYLIC DERIVATIVES AS DRUG CARRIERS

p-Methoxyphenyl methacrylate (ESMAA) was copolymerized with methacryli c acid (MAA) in dioxane solutions using azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator. The compositions of the copolymers were assayed for t he aromatic ester content by measuring the ultraviolet (UV) absorbance at 240 nm in dioxane. The monomer reactivity ratios r(1) and r(2) for copolymerization of MAA(M-1) and ESMAA(M-2) are 1.52 and 3.01. The gl ass transition temperatures of MAA-ESMAA copolymers are almost equal t o the weight-average values. The drug released from copolymers increas es with the composition of methacrylic acid units. The releases of pir oxicam from the MAA-co-ESMAA matrices containing 55 mole% MAA in pH 7. 4 and 10 buffer solutions are steady for the whole release period, and release profiles matches closely to the disintegration profiles of th e MAA-55 copolymer.