Conveniently implantable sustained release drug compositions

A pharmaceutical composition formulated for intraocular injection for the sustained release of an active agent comprising:

• at least one excipient selected from the group consisting of benzyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, n-propyl benzoate, isopropyl benzoate, n-butyl benzoate and isobutyl benzoate;
• wherein the amount of the excipient is sufficient to dissolve, disperse, emulsify, or suspend the entire amount of the active agent in the composition, and wherein the concentration of excipient in the composition is higher than the concentration of any other constituent in the composition;
• wherein the composition releases the active agent for a period of at least about 60 days;
• and
• wherein the composition is a unit dosage formulation of about 5 μl to about 100 μl that can be injected through a 20 gauge or smaller size syringe needle into the subconjunctiva, periocular space, retrobulbar in the orbit, episclera, intracomea, intrasclera, anterior chamber, anterior segment, posterior chamber, posterior segment, vitreous cavity, subretinal space, suprachorodial segment or intraretinal area of the eye,
• such that upon initial injection said pharmaceutical composition maintains its monolithic integrity.