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Optimizing delivery of therapeutics: percutaneous technologies
1The Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, California, USA. mhenzl@aol.com
Bratislavske Lekarske Listy
|November 5, 2002
Summary
Percutaneous drug delivery offers advantages over conventional dosing, especially for reproductive steroids and pain management. Novel technologies promise needle-free, on-demand delivery of various therapeutics.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Transdermal drug delivery bypasses first-pass liver metabolism, offering advantages like rapid action and self-administration.
- Passive transdermal systems are used for hormonal replacement therapy and contraception.
- Active transdermal systems utilize technologies like electrotransport and ultrasound for enhanced delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the potential of percutaneous drug delivery using female reproductive steroids.
- To differentiate transdermal from conventional drug dosing methods.
- To outline emerging technologies in transdermal drug delivery, particularly for pain management.
Main Methods:
- Review of passive transdermal systems (patches) for hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) and contraception.
- Description of active transdermal systems employing electrotransport and microprojection technology.
- Discussion of ultrasound-assisted transdermal delivery.
Main Results:
- Transdermal estradiol (E2) patches for HRT require concurrent progestogen dosing.
- Contraceptive patches with ethinylestradiol and norelgestromin offer high efficacy and predictable bleeding.
- Active systems enable precise dosing, delivery of large molecules, and on-demand analgesia.
Conclusions:
- Percutaneous drug delivery, especially transdermal, presents significant advantages over conventional methods.
- Innovations in active transdermal systems are revolutionizing pain management and drug delivery.
- Variable absorption and skin irritation remain challenges for some transdermal systems.
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