Transdermal delivery of calcium channel blockers for hypertension

Introduction: Calcium channel blockers are a very important class of antihypertensive drugs. Most calcium channel blockers (CCBs) exhibiting low oral bioavailability are required to be taken more than once a day due to their short half-lives which result in poor patient compliance. There is an ineluctable requirement for improved drug-delivery devices for CCBs because of the quantum of their utilization and shortcoming associated with their conventional dosage forms. Areas covered: There have been worthwhile research endeavors worldwide to investigate the skin permeation and to develop transdermal formulations of various categories of CCBs. This review explores the investigations on the feasibility and applicability of systemic delivery of various CCBs via skin. Expert opinion: Transdermal delivery of CCBs has been particularly acknowledged as a potential drug-delivery route in the therapy of hypertension. Several overtures have been made to enhance delivery of these drugs via skin barrier. There have been remarkable research endeavors worldwide to investigate the skin permeation and to develop transdermal systems of various CCBs. Persistent advancement in this area holds promise for the long-term success in technologically advanced transdermal dosage forms being commercialized sooner rather than later.