According to one aspect of the invention, multicomponent fiber comprising (a) a polymeric core that comprises a core-forming polymer and (b) a polymeric sheath that comprises a hydrophilic polymer, wherein the core-forming fiber is more hydrophobic than the hydrophilic polymer and wherein the polymeric core, the polymeric sheath, or both, further comprises a hydrophilic excipient material. Other aspects of the present invention pertain to methods of forming such multicomponent fibers. Still other aspects of the present invention pertain to meshes and other articles that are formed using the multicomponent fibers.