Provided are
cellulose esters useful for inhibiting solution
crystallization of drugs. Specific polymers include
cellulose esters of formula I:wherein n of the ω-carboxyalkanoyl group,is 3, 4, 6, or 8 to provide a ω-carboxyalkanoyl group chosen from succinoyl, glutaroyl, adipoyl, sebacyl, and suberyl groups; and wherein R is chosen from: a
hydrogen atom; and an alkanoyl group chosen from acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, valeroyl, hexanoyl, nonanoyl, decanoyl, lauroyl, palmitoyl, and stearoyl groups; wherein there is a
total degree of substitution of the alkanoyl group and the ω-carboxyalkanoyl group of at least 2.0; and wherein the
polymer comprises m repeating units where n=1 to 1,000,000, or 10 to 100,000, or 100 to 1,000, such as 1 to 6,000. Embodiments further include compositions comprising
cellulose esters and poorly water-soluble drugs, which compositions exhibit greater
solubility and stability in solution as compared to the drugs alone.