Water-soluble pressure-sensitive adhesives include a water-soluble polymer
that is made tacky at room temperature by addition of a water-soluble
plasticizer that is miscible with the polymer. Suitable polymers are solid
at room temperature; and have a hydrophilicity as measured by water uptake
greater than about 25%; they are liquid at room temperature and have a
boiling point higher than about 80.degree. C. The adhesives according to
the invention may conveniently be provided in dry film form. Preferred
water-soluble pressure-sensitive adhesives of the invention adhere both to
mucosal surfaces and to a variety of materials that may constitute a part
of a device or prosthesis to be held in a body cavity that has a mucosal
lining. Also, a laminated device for the controlled release of a substance
within a mucosa-lined body cavity includes the substance dissolved or
dispersed in either or both of a water-soluble pressure-sensitive adhesive
layer and optionally one or more water-soluble polymer layers. Also,
devices for administering a substance over an extended time for relief of
sore throat or cough, or for administering a breath freshening agent,
particularly a mint odorant, include a water soluble polymer film layer
containing the active ingredient, and a water soluble pressure sensitive
mucoadhesive layer.
