DEVELOPMENT OF NOVEL TRANSDERMAL SYSTEM CONTAINING D-LIMONENE AND ETHANOL AS ABSORPTION ENHANCERS

The controlled release of ethanol from a reservoir in the transdermal system was studied in order to ensure continuous drug permeation across the skin. The permeation of ethanol through various polymeric membranes was evaluated. The release rate of ethanol was fairly controlled when the membrane was prepared from the ethylmethacrylate-hydroxyethylmethacrylate copolymer (EMA-HEMA). The transdermal system containing indomethacin (IMC) as a model drug, and d-limonene and ethanol as absorption enhancers was newly developed employing the EMA-HEMA membrane. In vitro permeation of IMC through the rat abdominal skin in the system was investigated. The constant flux of IMC was attained by the control of ethanol permeation from the system during the permeation experiment.