In this work, we report the synthesis and characterization of poly(butyl monoitacotiate-co-acrylamide) hydrogels to be used as drug release agents. Four isomers of butanol were used to synthesize the hydrogels. The influence of butyl monoitaconate isomery on swelling behavior, Young's and compression moduli, cross-linking density and molar mass between cross-links are reported. It was found that by increasing butyl ramification, equilibrium degree of swelling, and the time for reaching swelling equilibrium decreases. Cross-linking density, Young's and compression moduli increases as butyl ramification increases. The release of theophylline and aminophylline drugs used in therapy for respiratory diseases were studied and it was found that theophylline was released faster than aminophylline (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 112: 16301635, 2009