Pharmacokinetic evaluation of skin transport technologies

The passive diffusion of drugs in transdermal delivery is hindered by the stratum corneum (SC) and limits the scope of deliverable molecules through skin. The evolution of novel electrical and physical enhancement techniques can enable the delivery of hydrophilic and larger molecules such as proteins and peptides through skin. The aims of the present research work were to evaluate two novel transdermal technologies, self-contained iontophoretic patch and microporation to deliver drugs for systemic therapies both in vitro and in vivo.; Self-contained iontophoretic patch consisted of Zn/AgCl electrode couples which produce an approximate 1 V potential when immersed in electrolyte solutions and the current produced by the patch was used to drive ionic drugs through skin. Systemic delivery of propranolol hydrochloride (potent b-blocker), granisetron hydrochloride (5HT-3 receptor antagonist) and salmon calcitonin (peptide hormone) by iontophoretic patch was investigated.; Iontophoretic patches were applied with drug formulations and proper electrical connections were made. In conclusion, the self-contained iontophoretic patches successfully delivered the selected drug candidates in hairless rats. Microporation technology enhanced the transdermal delivery of opioids both in vitro and in vivo. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...