Abstract

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF ACECLOFENAC TRANSDERMAL PATCH FOR ARTHRITIES

Nithyapriya K.*, Sriram B., Sriram P. and Sujani S.

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Abstract

This study aimed to create and assess aceclofenac transdermal patches for arthritis treatment. Aceclofenac, a NSAID, is effective in treating pain and inflammation that occurs from arthritis. However, it comes with complications such as GI side effects and poor patient compliance due to oral form of administration. Transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) have showed improvement in medication bioavailability for patients, while help eliminating the negative side effects medications have on the body. Patches composed of aceclofenac and various polymers were formulated with permeation aids like dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to enhance the drug diffusion through the skin. The patches were evaluated for various physicochemical properties including, drug content uniformity, thickness, tensile strength, folding endurance, and drug release profile. Drug release testing was done in vitro using a Franz diffusion cell while ex vivo testing on rat skin was done to measure the transdermal penetration of aceclofenac. The results indicated that the prepared patches maintained good mechanical properties and drug release consistency, allowing for up to a 24-hour controlled release. The permeation studies showed remarkable enhancement in the drug's permeation through the skin relative to other dosage forms. The formulated patches were stable, nonirritating, and showed encouraging potential for the treatment of arthritis while bypassing the gastrointestinal tract and maintaining prolonged therapeutic effects. In summary, the developed aceclofenac transdermal patch appears to be the most beneficial treatment method for arthritis because it improves patient compliance while reducing side effects, making it more appealing than oral administration.

Keywords: Aceclofenac, Transdermal Patch, Arthritis, Sustained Drug Release, Permeation Enhancers, Solvent Casting Method, In Vitro Drug Release, Bioavailability, Controlled Drug Delivery, NSAID.