title: Novel mechanisms and devices to enable successful transdermal drug delivery.
abstract: Optimisation of drug delivery through human skin is important in modern therapy. This review considers drug-vehicle interactions (drug or prodrug selection, chemical potential control, ion pairs, coacervates and eutectic systems) and the role of vesicles and particles (liposomes, transfersomes, ethosomes, niosomes). We can modify the stratum corneum by hydration and chemical enhancers, or bypass or remove this tissue via microneedles, ablation and follicular delivery. Electrically assisted methods (ultrasound, iontophoresis, electroporation, magnetophoresis, photomechanical waves) show considerable promise. Of particular interest is the synergy between chemical enhancers, ultrasound, iontophoresis and electroporation.
authors.affiliation: Drug Delivery Group, School of Pharmacy, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK. bwbarry@bradford.ac.uk
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Barry
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D018274:Electroporation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007478:Iontophoresis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008081:Liposomes; D015612:Phonophoresis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D012869:Skin Absorption / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D008081:Liposomes