Development and Evaluation of Transdermal Salbutamol Delivering Systems

Abstract

The transdermal drug delivery systems based on polymeric pseudolatex and matrix diffusion controlled systems for salbutamol were prepared and compared for in vitro skin permeation profile and in vivo performances. Poly (isobutylene) was used as release controlling polymer in both the systems. In vitro skin permeation was studied using the human cadavar skin in franz diffusion cell. Permeation rate constants for matrix diffusion controlled system and pseudolatices were 10.625 and 13.750 mcg/hr/cm² respectively. The prepared transdermal systems were tested on human volunteers having chronic reversible airways obstruction and compared with oral treatments (Asthaline). The in vivo drug plasma profiles following transdermal and oral treatments reveal that although peak plasma level by oral administration was higher in comparison with the transdermal treatments, troughs and peaks were discernible at dosing times. In the case of transdermal treatments, constant drug plasma and FEV₁ levels were recorded indicating controlled and systemic delivery of drug spaced over 30 hours. Among the prepared transdermal drug delivery systems, pseudolatices demonstrated better drug plasma profile, maintained at relatively higher level and flatter in appearance. The relative performance of the systems was noted to reflect in AUC and FEV₁.