Transdermal Delivery of Methotrexate Using Mixed Grades of Eudragit: Physico-Chemical, In-Vitro, and In-Vivo Evaluations

Abstract

The present study was aimed to develop Eudragit-based matrix system for transdermal delivery of methotrexate, an immunosuppressant drug for rheumatoid arthritis. Drug release followed zero order rather than first order or Higuchi type release kinetics. FT-IR, DSC and X-RD studies indicated no interaction between drug and polymer. The in-vitro dissolution rate constant, dissolution half life, and pharmacokinetic parameters (Cmax, tmax, AUC(s), t1/2, Kel, and MRT) were evaluated statistically by two-way ANOVA. A significant difference was observed between test products but not within test products. Statistically, a good correlation was found between percent of drug absorbed from patches versus Cmax, and AUC(s). Percent of drug dissolved at a given time versus serum drug concentration was correlated statistically. The results of this study indicate that the polymeric matrix films of methotrexate hold potential for transdermal.