| abstract |
The present invention provides drug delivery systems and kits that release an anesthetic such as bupivacaine over a short period of time. Methods of administering and preparing such systems are also provided. Drug delivery systems include short-term gel vehicles and anesthetics dissolved or dispersed in the gel vehicle. Gel vehicles include low molecular weight bioerodible, biocompatible polymers, and an amount of water immiscible solvent effective to plasticize the polymer and form a gel with the polymer. In some cases, constituent solvents are used together with the water immiscible solvent. Effectiveness, a measure of the efficacy of a delivery system, can be adjusted, eg, based on the composition of the gel vehicle, to achieve the desired release profile. |