[Iontophoresis: an old therapeutic principle in a new light]

Iontophoresis is defined as the transdermal transport of substances with the aid of electrical currents. It has certain advantages over other forms of drug application and receives presently much scientific interest. This review attempts to outline some basic principles and goes on concentrating on the clinical literature of recent years. In addition to local applications in the skin, systemic effects are in the foreground. Many indications have not yet been tested in controlled trials. Therefore further studies are needed to define the role of iontophoresis as an alternative form of transporting drugs into tissues.