Iontophoretic Drug Delivery System

Abstract:-Iontophoretic drug delivery is now an accepted method of drug therapy which

is gaining wide popularity especially in the area of drug delivery. This technique provides
a means for regulated non-invasive systemic administration of minute amounts of drug
transdermally which is especially useful in patients who require long-term medication as
in chronic pain, diabetics, hypertensive’s, rheumatoid etc. It negates the need for needle
sticks, the pain and anxiety involved and minimizes the trauma and risks of infection
associated with it. This mode of drug delivery is simple, versatile, effective, reliable and
can be tailored for individual needs. Iontophoresis is a process of transportation of ionic
molecules into the tissues by passage of electric current through the electrolyte solution
containing the ionic molecules using a suitable electrode polarity. Iontophoresis is the
method where the movements of ions across a membrane is enhanced using an externally
applied potential difference. When the membrane under consideration is skin, the method
is called transdermal iontophoresis. Ions prefer the routes of the least electrical resistance;
in the SC this is believed to be via the pores. When applied topically, the current is
applied through a moist electrode, the size depending on the skin region to be treated.
The drug is administered through an electrode which has the same charge as the drug.
This is very important; if the polarity of the electrode is not the same as the ions, then
penetration through the skin may not occur. The oppositely charged electrode is placed
some distance away at a neutral site, the size and distance of the 2 electrodes would also
affect the transport of ions.Various factors affect the intake of drugs by skin like
lipophilicity, molecular weight, site, age of patient, drug concentration, the possibility of
improving conduction of addition of salts etc. The benefits of using transdermal drug
delivery include improved systemic bioavailability resulting from bypassing the first
metabolism.Variables due to oral administration, such as pH, the presence of food or
enzymes and transit times can all be eliminated. The transdermal device acts as a drug
reservoir and controls the rate of drug transfer. When the transdermal drug flux is
controlled by the device instead of the skin, delivery of the drug is more reproducible
leading to smaller inter and intrasubject variations, since the drug release from the device
can be controlled accurately than the permeability of the skin This technique has a wide
range of biomedical applications in the fields of Cardiology, Neurology, Musculoskeletal
disorders and ophthalmology. This is an area which has wide scope for expansion. .There
are several devices now available in all sizes and shapes to suit individual needs and
ensure absolute safety. With even pencil shaped transdermal applicators now available
for self administration, iontophoresis may prove to be an important alternative method of
drug delivery in the near future.

INTRODUCTION:- Iontophoresis is defined as the introduction,by means of a direct

electrical current,of ions of soluble salts into the tissues of the body for therapeutic
purposes. It is a technique used to enhance the absorption of drugs across biological
tissues,such as skin. The application of an electric current across the skin is used to
extract a substance of interest from within or beneath the skin to the surface is termed
reverse iontophoresis

PRINCIPLE:- Iontophoresis is based on the principle that like charges repel each other
and unlike charges attract each other..When a negatively charged drug is to be delivered
across an epithelial barrier, it is placed under the negatively charged delivery
electrode(cathode) from which it is repelled, to be attracted towards the positive electrode
placed else where in the body.

The choice of drug is of importance, depending on whether the compound is unionized or

ionised.Non ionized compounds are generally better absorbed through the skin than
ionized substances.

MECHANISM:- A drug reservoir is placed on the skin under the active electrode with
the same charge as the penetrant. A indifferent counter electrode is positioned elsewhere
on the body. The active electrode effectively repels the active substance and forces it into
the skin. This simple electrorepulsion is known as the main mechanism responsible for
penetration enhancement by iontophoresis. The number of charged molecules which are
moved across the barrier correlates directly to the applied current and thus can be
controlled by the current density. Other factors include the possibility to increase the
permeability of the skin barrier in the presence of a flow of electric current and
electroosmosis. Contrary to electrorepulsion, electroosmosis can be used to transport
uncharged and larger molecules. Electroosmosis results when an electric field is applied
to a charged membrane such as the skin and causes a solvent flow across this membrane.
This stream of solvent carries along with it dissolved molecules. It enhances the
penetration of neutral and especially polar substances.

Iontophoretic devices:-

The main manufacturing concerns as in any equipment should include safety,

convenience, reliability and reproducibility of the device. The components of the
equipments are:

a. DC power supply
b. A milliammeter
c. A timer
d. A rheostat
e. The 2 electrodes +ve and –ve.

ADVANTAGES:-Iontophoresis provides for controlled delivery rates .The benefits of

using transdermal drug delivery include improved systemic bioavailability resulting from
bypassing the first metabolism. Variables due to oral administration, such as pH, the
presence of food or enzymes and transit times can all be eliminated. It improves efficacy
by continuous release and decreases the total dose and dosing frequency.
BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS:- Iontophoresis has wide applications in
Dermatology, Ophthalmology, ENT, Allergic conditions even in Cardiac and
Neurological situations, but its greatest advantage is in the transport of protein or peptide
drugs which are very difficult to transport trasdermally due to their hydrophilicity and
large molecular size. Iontophoresis has been used for the treatment of various
dermatologic conditions.
CONCLUSION:-Iontophoresis is an active means to deliver active agents into the skin
and to achieve enhanced cosmetic benefits in a variety of skin disorders. Use of the
appropriate combination of electrical current and the active agent can provide superior
results in the treatment of hyperpigmentation,melasma,aged skin,scars,cellulite,and many
other aesthetic disorders of the skin.

References:

1. Martin's physical pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences: physical chemical and

biopharmaceutical principles in the pharmaceutical sciences
By Patrick J. Sinko, Alfred N. Martin
Edition: 5, illustrated
Published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2005.

2. Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy

By David B. Troy, Paul Beringer
Contributor Paul Beringer
Edition: 21, illustrated
Published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2005.

3. Galini JL, Rose JB. Harris K. Lidocaine Iontophoresis vs. EMLA for IV placement in
children. Anesth Analg 2002.

4. Cooper JA, Bromley LM, Baranowski AP. Evaluation of a needle – free injection
system for local anesthesia prior to venous cannulation. Anesthesia 2000.

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