Effect of Enhancers and Pressure Sensitive Adhesives on the Transdermal Delivery of Fentanyl

Effect of Enhancers and Pressure Sensitive Adhesives on the Transdermal Delivery of Fentanyl

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of developing transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) for fentanyl used for the management of chronic cancer pain. The effect of type of pressure sensitive adhesive on the permeation of fentanyl from polyisobutylene (PIB), silicone and acrylic adhesive was evaluated. Due to the good adhesive force and relatively steady flux for 3 days, both acrylic and PIB adhesives were chosen for further study. The permeation rate of fentanyl was the highest from acrylic adhesive with hydroxyl functional group. Permeation rate increased linearly as the concentration of fentanyl in acrylic adhesive was increased from 2.5% to 10%. In case of PIB adhesive, crystals of fentanyl were developed above 5% drug load. $Crovol^{(R)}$ A40, $Crovol^{(R)}$ PK40 and Plurol $oleique^{(R)}$ provided higher flux of fentanyl.