Transdermal drug delivery

Transdermal drug delivery is a method of administering medications through the skin for systemic or local therapeutic effect. It typically involves the use of transdermal systems (most commonly adhesive patches) that deliver a controlled dose of a drug across the skin and into the bloodstream over an extended period. This route of administration bypasses the gastrointestinal tract and first-pass hepatic metabolism, improving bioavailability and reducing variability in drug absorption.^[1]

Transdermal delivery is used in a range of clinical applications, including hormone replacement therapy, pain management, cardiovascular conditions, and motion sickness. Compared with oral or injectable routes, it is non-invasive and may improve patient adherence, although its use is limited by the skin's barrier properties and the physicochemical characteristics required of suitable drugs.^[1]