title: Transdermal patches: history, development and pharmacology.
abstract: Transdermal patches are now widely used as cosmetic, topical and transdermal delivery systems. These patches represent a key outcome from the growth in skin science, technology and expertise developed through trial and error, clinical observation and evidence-based studies that date back to the first existing human records. This review begins with the earliest topical therapies and traces topical delivery to the present-day transdermal patches, describing along the way the initial trials, devices and drug delivery systems that underpin current transdermal patches and their actives. This is followed by consideration of the evolution in the various patch designs and their limitations as well as requirements for actives to be used for transdermal delivery. The properties of and issues associated with the use of currently marketed products, such as variability, safety and regulatory aspects, are then described. The review concludes by examining future prospects for transdermal patches and drug delivery systems, such as the combination of active delivery systems with patches, minimally invasive microneedle patches and cutaneous solutions, including metered-dose systems.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Pastore
authors.forename: Yogeshvar N
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Kalia
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Horstmann
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000266:history; D004337:Drug Carriers; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000266:history; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods*; D057968:Transdermal Patch / Q000266:history
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations