Abstract

USE OF TRANSDERMAL PATCHES AS DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM: GLOBAL SCENARIO

Manali Dilip Zanzane* and Rachel Geeverghese

Abstract

Transdermal drug delivery system is topically administered medicaments. Transdermal patches are pharmaceutical preparation of varying sizes, containing, one or more active ingredient, intended to be applied to the unbroken skin in order to deliver the active ingredient to the systemic circulation after passing through the skin barriers, and to avoid first pass effect. Transdermal patches deliver the drugs for systemic effects at a predetermined and controlled rate. Through a diffusion process, the drug enters the bloodstream directly though the skin. Since there is high concentration on the patch and low concentration in the blood, the drug will keep diffusing into the blood, for a long period of time, maintaining the constant concentration of drug in the blood flow. Characterization of transdermal patch is done to check its quality, size, time of onset & duration, adhesive property, thickness, weight of patch, moisture content, uniformity & cutaneous toxicological studies. The market for transdermal products has been in a significant upward trend that is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. An increasing number of TDD products continue to deliver real therapeutic benefit to patients around the world. More than 35 TDD products have now been approved for sale in the US, and approximately 16 active ingredients are approved for use in TDD products globally.

Keywords: TDD products, Transdermal, predetermined and controlled rate.