Elaborations on the Higuchi model for drug delivery

The Higuchi model for the rate of drug release from matrix devices where the drug loading exceeds the solubility in the matrix medium, whose 50-year anniversary is celebrated in this issue, has proven to be a robust framework and an invaluable tool in developing a significant part of the modern controlled drug delivery industry. This paper reviews the conceptual and mathematical bases for this model and some consequences of its inherent assumptions. In addition, selected extensions of the model that have proven useful over the years are summarized. These include the effects of external mass transfer resistance and spatial variations of drug loading.

The Higuchi model for the rate of drug release from matrix devices has been an invaluable tool in developing the modern controlled drug delivery industry.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (98 K)Download as PowerPoint slide