Abstract

TRANSDERMAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM -A REVIEW

Vignesh M.*, Gomathi M., Jothimanivannan C., Thinakaran P., Gnanaprakash M. and Dinesh Kumar L.

ABSTRACT

The skin offers an accessible and convenient site for the administration of medications. To this end, the field of transdermal drug delivery, aimed at developing safe and efficacious means of delivering medications across the skin, has in the past and continues to garner much time and investment with the continuous advancement of new and innovative approaches. This review details the progress and current status of the transdermal drug delivery field and describes numerous pharmaceutical developments which have been employed to overcome limitations associated with skin delivery systems. Advantages and disadvantages of the various approaches are detailed, commercially marketed products are highlighted and particular attention is paid to the emerging field of microneedle technologies. The outlook for continued growth of the TDD market is very optimistic. Transdermal drug delivery has made an important contribution to medical practice, but has yet to fully achieve its potential as an alternative to oral delivery and hypodermic injections. This review emphasizes the three generations of transdermal drug delivery which start a new era of delivery of drug.

Keywords: Transdermal drug delivery, Skin permeation, Polymers used, Evaluation tests.