TRANSDERMAL DRUG DELIVERY AS A BOON

Abstract

Majority of the drugs are taken by the oral route but it is not effective. To improve the effectiveness a route emerged known as Transdermal route. This give rise to Transdermal drug delivery system. Transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) are dosage forms that involves drug transport to viable epidermal or dermal tissues of the skin for therapeutic effect while a major fraction of drug is transported into the systemic blood circulation. Transdermal drug delivery can be improved by the use of involves the use of penetration enhancers which penetrate into skin to reversibly reduce the barrier resistance. Transdermal delivery have various advantages such as avoidance of presystemic and systemic first pass metabolism ,controlled release, provides non-invasive and easily terminable means for systemic as well as topical drug delivery. This article provides an overview of TDDS, its advantages over conventional dosage forms, drug delivery routes across skin, penetration enhancers, various components of Transdermal patches, types of Transdermal patches, methods of preparation, methods of evaluation, marketed preparations.