Formulation and evaluation of transdermal patch containing amphotericin B

Abstract

Transdermal drug delivery system are topically administered medicaments in the form of patches that deliver drugs for systemic effects at a predetermined and controlled rate. These devices allow for pharmaceuticals to be delivered accross the skin barrier. The human skin is a readily accessible surface for drug  delivery. It is an alternative to oral delivery and hypodermic injection. In addition, transdermal system are non-invasive and can be self administered. Amphotericin B is effective against serious or life-threatening systemic fungal infection but not to treat less serious fungal infection of mouth,throat or vagina. It is  insoluble in water and having high permeability through stomach. This results in poor bioavailability after oral administration. Therefore transdermal patch containing Amphotericin B was formulated to increase its solubility, bioavailability and patient compliance. solvent casting method was used to formulate  transdermal patch. PEG was selected as the permeation enhancer and Glycerin was selected as plasticizer for the formulation and mixed with different concentration of polymeric casting solution which contains HPMC (polymer at different ratios) and Chloroform:Methanol at 1:1 ratio used as solvent. Formulated transdermal patch were then evaluated for drug content, weight variation, flatness, folding endurance, % moisture content, tensile strength, and physical appearance. The in vitro drug diffusion studies revealed that transdermal patch formulation that is F₁ shows better drug release profile (97.87%) when compared with other formulations.