Methods and compositions for the delivery of pharmaceutical agents and/or the prevention of adhesions

Delivery systems and methods of delivering pharmaceutical agents to a hydrophobic region of an animal, particularly a mucosal surface, such as the mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, are disclosed. In one embodiment, one or more pharmaceutical agents are incorporated into a delivery system comprising a constitutive polymer, such as a poloxamer, and, optionally, one or more modifier polymers (e.g., carboxymethylcellulose) and/or one or more hydrophilic co-surfactants (e.g., a fatty acid soap). In another embodiment, one or more pharmaceutical agents are incorporated into a delivery system comprising a reverse emulsion, which comprises a disperse polar phase, a continuous lipophilic phase, and one or more emulsifying agents (e.g., a surfactant). The disclosed compositions and methods are useful in the treatment of, for example, gastric H. pylori infection, where the incorporated pharmaceutical agent is an antibiotic.