Use of polylactic acid for the preparation of microparticulate drug delivery systems.

This report reviews the development of particulate drug delivery systems technology based on polylactic acid (PLA). The following methods used to produce PLA microparticles are considered: emulsion solvent evaporation, emulsion solvent extraction, interfacial phase deposition, spray coating, and the melting method. The different preparation processes and parameters used, the characteristics of microparticles obtained and those parameters affecting the characteristics of these systems, are discussed.