3. Design and evaluation of transdermal drug delivery of ketotifen fumarate

The purpose of this research work was to develop and evaluate matrix-type transdermal therapeutic system containing Ketotifen fumarate with different ratios of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymeric combinations by the solvent evaporation technique. The physicochemical compatibility of the drug and the polymers was studied by infrared spectroscopy. The results suggested no physicochemical incompatibility between the drug and the polymers. Seven transdermal patch formulations (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6 and F7) consists of Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose E5 and Ethyl cellulose in the ratios of 10:0, 0:10, 1:9, 2:8, 3:7, 4:6 and 5:5, respectively were prepared. All formulations carried 5 % v/w of dimethyl sulfoxide as penetration enhancer and 10 % v/w of dibutyl phthalate as plasticizer in chloroform and methanol (1:1) as solvent system. The prepared transdermal patches were evaluated for in vitro release, moisture absorption, moisture loss and mechanical properties. The diffusion studies were performed by using modified Franz diffusion cells. The formulation, F1 (Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose E5 alone) showed maximum release of 95.521 ± 0.982 % in 8 h, where as F2 (Ethyl cellulose alone) showed maximum release of 67.078 ± 1.875 % in 24 h. The formulation, F7 with combination of polymers (1:1) showed maximum release of 86.812 ± 0.262 % in 24 h, emerging to be ideal formulations for Ketotifen fumarate. The results followed Higuchi kinetics (r2), and the mechanism of release was diffusion mediated. The developed transdermal patches increase the efficacy of Ketotifen for the therapy of asthma and other allergic conditions.