IN-VITRO CHARACTERIZATION OF A SOLVENT-CONTROLLED NITROGLYCERIN TRANSDERMAL SYSTEM

A well-controlled solvent-based system for transdermal delivery of nitroglycerin has been developed. This system is fully characterized with respect to the effect of ethanol and nitroglycerin concentration in the reservoir on the steady-state flux profile in vitro. The nitroglycerin flux and ethanol flux through the system and skin are linearly proportional to the ethanol concentration in the donor compartment of the system. The ethanol volume fraction in the donor controls the permeability of the CML/skin laminate. As ethanol concentration controls the flux of nitroglycerin from the system through skin, it is possible to reduce intersubject variation in nitroglycerin transdermal delivery through the transdermal system design.