Advances in Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems for Antithrombotic Therapy: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Thrombotic diseases, including arterial and venous types, are major global health issues, causing significant morbidity and mortality.
• Antithrombotic agents are crucial for managing and preventing thrombus formation, but traditional delivery methods face challenges.
• Transdermal drug delivery systems present a novel approach to antithrombotic therapy, potentially enhancing bioavailability and patient compliance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the current literature on transdermal antithrombotic formulations.
• To identify the types of antithrombotic agents and delivery systems investigated in transdermal applications.
• To assess the progress and challenges in developing transdermal antithrombotic therapies.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, identifying 25 relevant articles.
• Database searches were performed to gather information on transdermal antithrombotic formulations.
• Clinical trial registries were searched for ongoing or completed studies, revealing none in this specific area.

Main Results:

• The review focused on transdermal formulations of heparins and acetylsalicylic acid, with limited reports on direct oral anticoagulants.
• Microneedles were the most investigated delivery system (13 studies), followed by hydrogels (5), polymeric patches (3), and micro/nanoemulsions (2).
• No ongoing or completed clinical trials for transdermal antithrombotic therapy were found.

Conclusions:

• Transdermal antithrombotic formulations show significant therapeutic potential, addressing limitations of conventional administration routes.
• Innovative delivery systems like microneedles and hydrogels are being explored for enhanced drug delivery.
• Further development is required to create clinically viable, cost-effective, and scalable transdermal antithrombotic technologies.