Controlled release of a hydrophilic agent from a coated surface

An implantable medical device comprising:

• a base coat layer having an inner and outer surface, the inner surface of the base coat layer contacting the implantable medical device;
• a top-coat layer of a hydrophilic polymer chemically crosslinked and covalently bonded to the outer surface of the base coat layer, the hydrophilic polymer comprising an anionic polyelectrolyte, wherein the hydrophilic polymer comprises a poly(acrylic acid) copolymer;
• and
• an amount of a hydrophilic cationic drug agent added to the top-coat layer sufficient to provide an effective dosage of the drug agent for delivery to a patient,
• whereby the hydrophilic cationic drug agent is initially adsorbed into the anionic polyelectrolyte of the top-coat layer and the hydrophilic cationic drug agent having a release rate after the medical device is implanted within a patient's body,
• wherein the hydrophilic cationic drug agent is selected from a group consisting of a class of water soluble, protonated amine drugs.