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A typical Transdermal drug delivery system consists of the following components.
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Polymer Matrix.
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Drugs.
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Permeation Enhancers.
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Pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA).
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Backings Laminates.
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Release Liner.
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Other Excipients.
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Polymer Matrix:
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The Polymer controls the release of the drug from the device.
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Possible useful polymers for transdermal devices are:
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a. Natural Polymers:
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cellulose derivatives,
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Zein,
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Gelatin,
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Shellac,
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Waxes,
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Proteins,
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Gums and their derivatives,
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Natural rubber,
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Starch etc.
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b. Synthetic Elastomers:
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polybutadiene,
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Hydrin rubber,
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Polysiloxane,
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Silicone rubber,
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Nitrile,
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Acrylonitrile,
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Butyl rubber,
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Styrene Butadiene rubber,
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Neoprene etc.
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c. Synthetic Polymers:
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polyvinyl alcohol,
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Polyvinyl chloride,
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Polyethylene,
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Polypropylene,
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Polyacrylate,
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Polyamide,
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Polyurea,
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Polyvinyl pyrrolidone,
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Polymethyl methacrylate,
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Epoxy etc.
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Drugs:
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Desirable properties of a drug for transdermal delivery.
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The drug should have a molecular weight of less than 1000 Daltons.
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The drug should have affinity for both lipophilic and hydrophilic phases.
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Extreme partitioning characteristics are not useful for successful drug delivery via the skin.
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The drug should have a low melting point.
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Drug should be potent, have a short half life and be non irritating.
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Permeation Enhancers:
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These are compounds that promote skin permeability by altering the skin as a barrier to the flux of a desired penetrant.
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Penetration enhancers are added to a formulation to improve the diffusivity and solubility of drugs through the skin, thereby reducing the skin's barrier resistance.
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These includes water,pyrrolidones,fatty acids and alcohols, alcohol and glycols, essential oils,terpenes and derivatives,sulfoxides like DMSO and their derivatives, urea and surfactant.
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Pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA):
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The fastening of all transdermal devices to the skin can be done by using a PSA.
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The first approach involves the development of new polymers, which include hydrogel hydrophilic polymers, and polyurethanes.
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The second approach is to physically or chemically modify the chemistries of the PSAs in current use (such as silicones, and acrylates).
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Physical modification refers to the formulation of the base adhesives with some unique additives so that there is enhanced drug delivery and improved skin-adhesion properties.
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Chemical modification involves chemically incorporating or grafting functional monomers to the conventional PSA polymers in order to improve drug delivery rates
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Backings Laminates:
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Backings laminates are selected for appearance, flexibility and need for occlusion.
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Examples of backings are polyester film, polyethylene film and polyolefin film, and aluminium vapour coated layer.
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Major areas of concern are the backing additives leaching out and diffusion of drugs or the compositions, through the backing.
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An over emphasis on the chemical resistance often may lead to stiffness and high occlusivity to moisture vapour and air.
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It causes the TDDS to lift and may possibly irritate the skin during long-term use.
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Release Liner:
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During storage, the patch is protected by a liner, which is removed and discarded before the patch is applied to the skin.
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Since the liner is in direct contact with the TDDS, the liner must be chemically inert.
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The release liner is composed of a base layer which may be non-occlusive (e.g. paper fabric) or occlusive (e.g. polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride) and a release coating layer made up of silicon or Teflon.
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Other materials used for TDDS liners include, polyester foil and metalized laminate that protects the patch during storage.
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The liner is removed prior to use only.
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Other Excipients:
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Various solvents such as chloroform, methanol, acetone, isopropanol and dichloromethane are used to prepare drug reservoirs.
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In addition, plasticizers such as dibutyl-phthalate, triethyl citrate, polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol are added to provide plasticity to the transdermal patch.
Commonly asked questions.
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Write in brief about the basic components of a TDDS.