Design of optimized diffusion-controlled transdermal drug delivery systems

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• A systematic approach for designing multilayer transdermal patches is presented.
• Design is based on therapeutically relevant drug specifications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize drug release from transdermal patches using random search optimization.
• To identify key design parameters for multilayer transdermal patches.

Main Methods:

• Utilized random search optimization techniques.
• Optimized maximum drug release subject to therapeutic specifications.
• Varied barrier layer thickness and drug concentrations in drug-containing layers as design parameters.

Main Results:

• An optimal patch design was identified.
• The optimal design featured two drug-containing layers of equal thickness with 20% and 80% relative drug concentrations.
• A barrier layer thickness of 14% (relative to total drug-containing layer thickness) was determined to be optimal.

Conclusions:

• The proposed transdermal patch design is broadly applicable.
• The design effectively satisfies therapeutic specifications.
• The design maximizes drug utilization.