Design and Development of Transdermal Patches of Antipsychotic Drug: In vitro and Ex vivo Characterization

Abstract

The purpose of the present research work was to design, assess, and estimate the developed transdermal matrix-type formulation comprising levosulpiride hydrochloride with the objective of enhancing the bioavailability and compliance of the patient. Transdermal films of levosulpiride were developed using a solvent casting method by hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) E 15, Eudragit RL 100, and Eudragit RS100. In current research work, propylene glycol and oleic acid was used as plasticizer and permeation enhancers in different fractions. Among the batches, drug content uniformity with all formulations was perceived between 91.6 to 98%. Folding endurance of patches was good and indicates satisfactory flexibility. Developed transdermal films had the necessary physicochemical properties, for example, uniformity of drug content, weight, thickness, folding endurance, and dampness content. Franz diffusion cell was used for in vitro diffusion studies utilizing dialysis membrane as a pervasion boundary. Formulation F5 (Eudragit RL 100-1%, HPMC E15-9%) was found to be best among all batches of its consistent release rate for 12 hours and the extent of drug release 97.76%. F5 was the most palatable formulation as it firmly meets the standards and continuously permeated drugs for 12 hours that can keep up desired therapeutic concentration in plasma. The patches were exposed to transient stability studies and were observed to be constant and stable.