Oxidized alginate (ADA) and oxidized alginate blended with chitosan (ADA-Chit) were prepared in the presence of borax and CaCl2, and their interactions with an antifolate drug, pyrimethamine (PYR), have been investigated. Tablets with a mean diameter of 1.2 +/- 0.06 cm were produced and drug interactions were performed in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). From ITC responses, the enthalpy changes of interaction PYR/materials, Delta H-int, have been determined and were found to be - 11.73 +/- 0.517 kJ mol(-1) for ADA and -4.86 +/- 0.156 kJ mol(-1) for ADA-Chit. The PYR encapsulation of approximately 75% was achieved for both materials, as measured by UV spectrometer.9411951199