transdermal drug
Quick Summary
Transdermal drug delivery involves administering medication through the skin for absorption into the bloodstream. While intact skin generally limits drug absorption, certain substances like scopolamine and nitroglycerin can penetrate, and enhancers can aid this process.12
Factors influencing transdermal absorption include the drug's solubility in skin lipids and skin hydration. Damaged or denuded skin allows for more rapid penetration. Topical application can provide localized effects for skin conditions or achieve systemic effects by bypassing initial metabolism and avoiding drastic blood level fluctuations. However, a significant limitation is the small amount of drug that can be delivered this way. Examples include nitroglycerin patches for heart conditions and scopolamine patches for motion sickness.21
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
