Delivery of the topical antimicrobial agents silver sulfadiazine, gentamicin and nystatin to infected burn wounds in rats from preloaded synthetic dressings.

1. A synthetic burn dressing made from polyethylene glycol - 400 (PEG) and poly-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (PHEMA) can be prepared to contain topical antimicrobial agents. 2. Sheets of these antimicrobial loaded dressings may be applied to the wounds or alternatively, the synthetic dressing incorporating the active drugs may be formed directly on the burn wound from the PEG-PHEMA drug mixture. 3. The antimicrobials (silver sulfadiazine, gentamicin and nystatin) are continuously and effectively released from the solid dressing over 2-11 days.