Provided are cellulose esters useful for inhibiting solution crystallization of drugs. Specific polymers include cellulose esters of formula I: wherein n of the &omega-carboxyalkanoyl group, is 3, 4, 6, or 8 to provide a &omega-carboxyalkanoyl group chosen from succinoyl, glutaroyl, adipoyl, sebacyl, and suberyl groups and wherein R is chosen from: a hydrogen atom and an alkanoyl group chosen from acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, valeroyl, hexanoyl, nonanoyl, decanoyl, lauroyl, palmitoyl, and stearoyl groups wherein there is a total degree of substitution of the alkanoyl group and the &omega-carboxyalkanoyl group of at least 2.0 and wherein the polymer comprises m repeating units where n=1 to 1,000,000, or 10 to 100,000, or 100 to 1,000, such as 1 to 6,000. Embodiments further include compositions comprising cellulose esters and poorly water-soluble drugs, which compositions exhibit greater solubility and stability in solution as compared to the drugs alone.
