Irradiation Behavior of Analgesic and Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug-Loaded UHMWPE for Joint Replacement

In this study, we used ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), commonly employed as a bearing material for joint implants, to deliver a wide set of analgesics and the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug tolfenamic acid. We blended the drugs with UHMWPE and processed the blend by compression molding and sterilization by low-dose gamma irradiation. We studied the chemical stability of the eluted drugs, drug elution, tensile properties, and wear resistance of the polymer blends before and after sterilization. The incorporation of bupivacaine hydrochloride and tolfenamic acid in UHMWPE resulted in either single- or dual-drug loaded materials that can be sterilized by gamma irradiation. These compositions were found to be promising for the development of clinically relevant drug-eluting implants for joint replacement.PMID:38456765 | DOI:10.1021/acs.biomac.3c01179
Source: Biomacromolecules - Category: Biochemistry Authors: Source Type: research