Transdermal Delivery of Propranolol Using Mixed Grades of Eudragit: Design and in Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

Abstract

A matrix-dispersion-type transdermal drug delivery system of propranol was developed using different ratios of mixed polymeric grades of Eudragit. Formulations were evaluated for in vitro dissolution characteristics using a Cygnus’ sandwich patch holder. Selected formulations followed zero-order release kinetics. In vivo evaluation was carried out on healthy human volunteers following a balanced incomplete block design (BIBD). In vitro dissolution rate constant k and pharmacokinetic parameters generated from plasma and urine were evaluated statistically. Statistically excellent correlation was found between percentages of drug absorbed from patch versus C_max, AUC₀₋₂₄, and AUC_0−∞. A highly significant difference was observed when C_max and AUC₀₋ generated from plasma and urine data were compared, but when k_e, t_1/2e, k_a, t_1/2awere compared, the difference was not significant. Urinary excretion data are suggested as a simpler alternative to blood-level data in studying the kinetics of absorption and deriving the absorption parameter.