Transdermal Patch
Traditional medication delivery methods, such as pills, capsules, liquids, powders, and injections, are often inefficient or invasive and can lead to undesirable side effects. Among the newer methodologies for administration of medicines is the use of transdermal approaches, including gels and patches.
Transdermal patches, also known as Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems (TDS), deliver a steady dose of medicine into the skin, which absorbs directly into the bloodstream. Pharmaceutical drugs such as nicotine, fentanyl, and hormones are the common well-known drugs being delivered by transdermal patches. Now, transdermal patches are being used to deliver CBD, CBN, B12, Vitamin E and caffeine, among other treatments to manage pain, energy levels, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.
What is a Transdermal patch?
Transdermal patches comprise a method of delivering medication through the skin in a non-invasive painless manner. During skin drug delivery, a transdermal patch is adhered to a patient’s skin. The transdermal patch contains the medication prescribed to the patient and is designed in such a way that the medication permeates the skin in a controlled fashion thus attaining more steady levels of the transdermal drug in the body over a longer perid of time. Transdermal patches are adhesive and typically designed to be worn comfortably for as little as eight hours to as long as seven days, depending on the drug and therapeutic indication.
Skin is the largest organ of the body. It covers and protects the body, regenerates when needed, and provides limited but essential permeation. The skin has three layers. The first layer is called the epidermis. The epidermis is the skin’s outermost layer. This is the layer that contains the stratum corneum which is the primary barrier of the skin to prevent entry of foreign substances and t maintain hydration. The transdermal patch is applied to the outermost layer, the stratum corneum.
The second layer of the skin is called the dermis. It lies beneath the epidermis and contains connective tissue that gives the skin structure and strength. The dermis contains the microcirculation including blood capillaries where drugs are absorbed into the systemic circulation and throughout the body. The dermis also contains sweat glands and hair follicles.
The deepest and third layer of skin is called the hypodermis. It is deeper subcutaneous tissue and is made of fat and more connective tissue. This layer contains blood vessels which also reach into the dermis and epidermis.
As the layers of skin absorb medication from transdermal patches (trans meaning through and dermal referring to the dermis (skin)), the medication is absorbed via the blood vessels into the bloodstream. From there, the blood carries medication through the circulatory system and through a patient’s body.
Transdermal patches adhere to the skin as a way to deliver drugs. They provide a specific, predetermined dose of medication that is absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream. Therefore, transdermal patches offer a non-invasive and painless method of drug delivery, with the added benefit of providing a consistent therapeutic dosage over a predetermined time period.
A transdermal patch acts as a carrier for a drug, holding it until it’s applied. At the point of application, the patch’s adhesive secures it to the skin, and the drugs contained in the transdermal patch will begin to permeate into the bloodstream. The transdermal patch will continue to administer its Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) until either they are fully absorbed or the transdermal patch is removed. Therefore, the length of wear time and the amount of transdermal drug delivered is different from a patch to a patch.
Advantages
Transdermal patches offer many benefits over traditional pill, powder, injection or liquid medication delivery methods.
-
The transdermal route delivers drugs directly to the bloodstream and bypasses the gastrointestinal tract avoiding breakdown of the drug substance and avoiding gastrointestinal side effects.
-
Transdermal medication is delivered gradually at a constant rate, rather than by multiple single doses. Transdermal patches utilize the skin’s natural barrier properties in order to achieve a constant permeation of the transdermal drug and achieve steadier blood levels as compared to injectables and oral medications.
-
Additionally, transdermal patches are painless, eliminating the need for injections that can cause pain irritation and discomfort. Transdermal patches are simply placed on the skin, worn for a prescribed period of time, and removed. That also makes them convenient.
Custom made
Pocono custom develops and manufactures drug-in-adhesive patches for transdermal drug delivery in support of both branded and generic pharmaceutical applications. Each product can be customized for size, shape, thickness, and color for brand recognition. In addition, individually pouched units offer additional space for printing logos and brand names.
As the transdermal market grows, it is important to choose an experienced transdermal patch manufacturer who has a reputation for innovation and integrity. To avoid pitfalls during development it is important to choose a transdermal patch manufacturer such as Pocono who complies with all applicable regulations and standards, uses high-quality materials, tailors the product for the customer, and offers a scalable manufacturing and packaging process to meet the needs of commercial production.
Contact Us
The team at Poconopharma as a leading transdermal patch manufacturer has the knowledge, experience, and converting capabilities to help get your product to market quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively.
Contact Poconopharma today to discuss your transdermal patch project and to request samples and prototypes. To find out more, please contact us from the following:
Address: 100 Sweettree St., Cherryville, NC
Phone: +1 803 560 04 33
Email: info@poconopharma.com