What are Transdermal Skin Patches?
Transdermal skin patches, also known as transdermal drug delivery systems, are medicated adhesive patches that are placed on the skin to deliver a specific dose of medication through the skin and into the bloodstream. These patches work as an alternative way to deliver drugs compared to oral pills or injections.
How do Transdermal Patches Work?
Transdermal Skin Patches work by providing a continuous release of medication through the skin and into the blood vessels located beneath the surface. The patch contains a reservoir of medication dispersed in a polymer matrix or dissolved in an alcohol-based solution. As the medication disperses from the reservoir, it passes through the skin layers (epidermis and dermis) and enters the bloodstream. The skin acts as a permeable membrane that slowly allows the drug molecules to pass through at a metered rate over time.
Advantages of Transdermal Skin Patches
One of the main advantages of transdermal drug delivery is that it provides continuous delivery of medication at a predetermined rate. This ensures steady plasma drug levels are maintained compared to oral pills which cause fluctuations. Transdermal systems also avoid the first-pass metabolism that occurs with oral medications, allowing for better bioavailability of certain drugs. Patients find transdermal patches more convenient than oral pills since they only need to apply the patch once every few days instead of taking multiple doses daily. Transdermal delivery is also beneficial for medications that typically cause gastrointestinal side effects when taken orally. The non-invasive nature of patches makes them preferable to frequent injections as well.
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