In one aspect, a particle comprising a core containing at least one pharmaceutically active agent and a coating covering the surface of the particle that comprises a biocompatible adhesive polymer is provided. The core may comprise two or more components, such as two pharmaceutically active agents or a pharmaceutically active agent and a major constituent of the core, having at least one dissimilar chemical or physical property (e.g., molecular weight, solubility, c Log P). In some such embodiments, placement of the uncoated core in certain environments results in the rapid release of a component (e.g., a pharmaceutically active agent) from and/or destabilization and breakdown of the core. In some embodiments, the biocompatible adhesive polymer in the coating acts as a molecular glue to stabilize the core and/or alter the release kinetics of at least one pharmaceutically active agent.
