[Studies on transdermal delivery system of dihydroetorphine hydrochloride]

A transdermal delivery system of dihydroetorphine hydrochloride (DHE-TDS) was developed. The DHE-TDS mainly composed of polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and lactose. Tests on rabbits showed only slight skin irritation according to federal hazardous substances act. By giving DHE-TDS to rabbits, DHE release was shown to be governed by first-order mechanism. When DHE-TDS was given to Wistar rats, a relatively stable blood drug concentration was observed from 4-32 h after drug administration. Writhing tests showed that one dose of DHE-TDS would maintain the narcotic action on rats for at least 48 h.