Scientific and technological prospection on transdermal formulations and complementary therapies for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is another term for idiopathic menstrual cramps. Treatments include the use of oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs have several side effects. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review on the transdermal administration of drugs and the use of alternative therapies for the treatment of PD.

Areas covered: The article bases were Web of Science, PubMed and Sciencedirect and the patent bases were INPI, EPO and WIPO with publications on Primary Dysmenorrhea and associations with Transdermal Administration; Complementary Therapies and Medicinal Plants. 21 articles and 12 patents were analyzed. The results demonstrate the need for alternative therapies for the treatment of PD, with greater effectiveness and lower side effects, mainly in an attempt to reduce the intensity and duration of pain as well as reducing the continuous use of medications.

Expert opinion: The study of technological prospection highlighted the relevant importance in seeking new methods for the relief of the symptoms provoked by this condition. The perspectives coexist in the discovery of new natural and biotechnological pharmacological applications, mainly in the development of new devices capable of facilitating and optimizing this form of administration in an attempt to reduce side effects.

KEYWORDS:

• Transdermal administration
• primary dysmenorrhea
• medicinal plants
• complementary therapies

Article highlights

• A scientific and technological prospection on the transdermal administration of drugs and the use of alternative therapies for the treatment of Primary dysmenorrhea (PD)

• PD is a very frequent problem and can affect mainly women of reproductive age, interfering mainly in their daily activities, affecting their quality of life and general well-being.

• Non-pharmacological complementary therapies may be associated with new forms of drug administration and thus also reduce the level of drug exposure and its side effects in order to potentiate relief of the symptoms of PD.

• The patents corroborate the articles in order to develop methods, compositions or devices for ameliorating the symptoms of dysmenorrhea.

• The perspectives coexist in the discovery of new natural and biotechnological pharmacological applications, mainly in the development of new devices capable of facilitating and optimizing this form of administration in an attempt to reduce side effects, better the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to Boris Timah Acha for reviewing the English language in this manuscript.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.