ELECTRORELEASE OF DRUGS FROM COMPOSITE POLYMER-FILMS

New composite polypyrrole films with a permanently incorporated biopolymer, Melanin, have been prepared. Melanin was incorporated into polypyrrole by a electropolymerization process. These materials have potential applications for electrochemically controlled drug release to the CNS or for transdermal drug delivery. The full characterization of the composite polymer films was obtained by in situ monitoring of mass changes using the quartz crystal microbalance in conjunction with cyclic voltametry. The EQCM allowed direct measurements of the amount of the drug released when the film potential was changed. It is possible to incorporate and subsequently release a variety of neuroleptic drugs such as phenothiazine derivatives and tricyclic antidepressants upon application of electrochemical pulse.