Effect of Vehicle and Drug Concentration on transdermal delivery of Dihydroergotamine using excised Animal Skin

Abstract

Dihydroergotamine (DHE) is widely used in the treatment, of migraine as I.M. injection of 1.0 mg/ml. Absorption of DHE averaged 23% when taken orally and the drug is subjected to extensive first-pass effect. The physicochemical and pharmacokinetic characteristics of DHE such as small dose, low M.W. and extensive hepatic metabolism, suggests that this drug is a possible candidate for trans-dermal delivery.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of vehicle and dose variation on the percutaneous absorption of DHE. In-vitro diffusion studies were conducted utilizing improved Franz diffusion cells. The rabbit skin obtained from the dorsal area was employed as a barrier membrane.