ABSTRACT
The amelioration of pain with potent opioid analgesics may produce side effects, such as seda tion, dizziness, or nausea, that impair functional activity for as long as pain relief is necessary. Nonetheless, opioid analgesics have an important clinical role that cannot always be filled by other agents such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or local anesthetics. When pain is se vere and long-lasting, it may be desirable to administer a systemic opioid together with a re gional local anesthetic. Side effects may be minimized and long-lasting relief achieved using controlled release implants for delivery of either type or both types of agent. Anesthetic formu lations may be implanted at the wound or surgical site for local drug delivery. Analgesic for mulations may be implanted at distant, nontraumatized sites for systemic drug delivery. By use of a biodegradable excipient, poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA), the implant need not be re moved. Drug delivery can be adjusted to provide release for several days up to 2 weeks.
