Abstract

Aim: To design and evaluate the transdermal drug delivery system with low dose of felodipine. Objective: To develop matrix type transdermal patch of felodipine to avoid first pass metabolism and to study the effect of permeation enhancer in formulated patches. Methods: The patches were prepared using HPMC K100M, PVP and ethyl cellulose polymers in different ratios with incorporating 30% PEG-400 as plasticizer by solvent evaporation technique. The prepared patches were evaluated for their physicochemical characteristics and in-vitro drug release study. Penetration enhancing potential of oleic acid and eucalyptus oil was determined by incorporating in different concentration in optimized patch. Result and discussion: On the basis of ex-vivo study the formulation F9 (HPMC: PVP; 1:1) with oleic acid & eucalyptus oil (1:1) as penetration enhancer showed maximum release of 91.45% over 24hrs. The formulation F9 followed Higuchi matrix and non-Fickian diffusion transport. Skin irritation studies on two rabbits were found to be free of irritation. Stability studies showed that optimized transdermal patch was stable at 40℃ & 75% RH with respect to the physical parameter and ex-vivo drug release study. Conclusion: It is reasonably concluded that felodipine can be formulated into transdermal patches to avoid first pass metabolism.