Topical Drug Delivery Therapeutics, Drug Absorption and Penetration Enhancement Techniques

Abstract

The delivery of medications through the skin has long been a fascinating as well as difficult subject of study. For different medications, topical drug administration has brought substantial benefits over the systemic route, one of the most important of which is reduced toxicity due to minimal or no exposure to non-target organs. Because of its simplicity and affordability, topical administration is the preferred method for delivering medicinal substances locally. Topical drug delivery system includes solid powders, semisolids, liquid preparations, and sprays, among other pharmaceutical dose forms. Gels, creams, and ointments are the most often used semisolid preparations for topical medication delivery. Topical medication delivery methods allow a medicine to enter the systemic circulation at a controlled rate by penetrating the epidermal layer. New drugs are being developed utilizing the transdermal approach in addition to the existing formulations due to the inherent benefits of delivery via this route. Although low skin permeability limits its applicability, it does provide a non-invasive route of medication administration. Innovative research using penetration-enhancing technologies such iontophoresis, electroporation, microneedles, sonophoresis, and others offers promise for successful implementation of these drugs in clinical practice as consumer-friendly, transdermal dosage forms. This paper examines some of the most promising new strategies for enhancing transdermal permeability, as well as providing a scientific update on recent improvements in the topical drug delivery system. The current study focuses on the most modern methods and techniques for administering local treatment to the skin. This data can be used as a foundation for further research and development of existing methodologies and technologies. Keywords: Topical drug delivery, Recent techniques, TDDS, Advances in skin delivery