Topical Drug Delivery Systems
Topical drugs are applied directly to the target organ target organ.
Usually have a low toxicity level which gives them a wide therapeutic index, the therapeutic index is the ratio of the toxic to the therapeutic dose, Drugs with a low therapeutic index may only require a small increase in dose to produce toxic effects, They are often dosed after consideration of relevant parameters such as weight, body-mass index other drug therapy, renal function, or a monitoring variable such as drug levels in the plasma, Some drugs have differential metabolism due to individual genetics and sometimes this can be predicted .bTopical drug delivery is usually fast acting.
The topical application of medicines has obvious advantages in the management of localised disease. The drug can be made available almost directly at the intended site of action, and because the systemic circulation is not reached in great concentration, the risk of systemic side-effects is reduced. For example:
Topical Drug Delivery is usually administered threw the skin.
Skin is a complex matrix of layers that is designed to provide a barrier to external contaminants such as harmful organisms, chemicals and toxins.
Human skin is composed of three main layers:
Topical drugs are applied directly to the target organ target organ.
Usually have a low toxicity level which gives them a wide therapeutic index, the therapeutic index is the ratio of the toxic to the therapeutic dose, Drugs with a low therapeutic index may only require a small increase in dose to produce toxic effects, They are often dosed after consideration of relevant parameters such as weight, body-mass index other drug therapy, renal function, or a monitoring variable such as drug levels in the plasma, Some drugs have differential metabolism due to individual genetics and sometimes this can be predicted .bTopical drug delivery is usually fast acting.
The topical application of medicines has obvious advantages in the management of localised disease. The drug can be made available almost directly at the intended site of action, and because the systemic circulation is not reached in great concentration, the risk of systemic side-effects is reduced. For example:
- The use of eye drops containing beta blockers in the treatment of glaucoma;
- The application of topical steroids in the management of dermatitis;
- The use of inhalers for the treatment of asthma
- The insertion of pessaries containing clotrimazole in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis.
Topical Drug Delivery is usually administered threw the skin.
Skin is a complex matrix of layers that is designed to provide a barrier to external contaminants such as harmful organisms, chemicals and toxins.
Human skin is composed of three main layers:
- The Epidermis is the outer layer and acts as the main barrier to external contaminants
- The Dermis is the middle layer of the skin
- The Subcutaneous Tissue is the inner layer where blood vessels and hair follicles are situated.