Transdermal drug delivery system: An overview

Abstract

Transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) is one of the systems lying under the category of controlled drug delivery, in which the aim is to deliver the drug through the skin in a predetermined and controlled rate. It has various advantages,like prolonged therapeutic effect, reduced side-effects, improved bioavailability, better patient compliance and easy termination of drug therapy. The stratum corneum is considered as the rate limiting barrier in transdermal permeation of most molecules.There are three main routes of drug penetration, which include the appendageal, transcellular and intercellular routes. Skin age,
condition, physicochemical factors and environmental factors are some factors that are to be considered while delivering drug through this route. Basic components of  TDDS include polymer matrix, membrane, drug, penetration enhancers, pressure-sensitive adhesives, backing laminates, release liner, etc.Transdermal patches can be divided into various systems like reservoir
system, matrix system and micro-reservoir system, which are used to incorporate the active ingredients into the circulatory system via the skin.After preparation of transdermal patches, consistent methodology are adopted to test the adhesion properties,physicochemical properties, in vitro drug release studies, in vitro skin permeation studies, skin irritation studies and stability studies. According to the duration of therapy, various drugs are commercially available in the form of transdermal patches.