ABSORPTION PROMOTER: AN OVERVIEW

Abstract

Dermal or transdermal route is more convenient route of administration than oral or parentral route of drug delivery. Outer most layer of the human skin is stratum corneum and it is main barrier for penetration of drug through skin and causes reduction in bioavailability of drug. Most of the drugs don’t have ability to cross the stratum corneum for that purpose skin penetration enhancers are developed to improve bioavailability of drug and increase range of drugs which can be given by transdermal or topical route. The present review article include need, different approaches of permeation or penetration enhancement contain drug vehicle based, chemical methods physical methods etc and list of patented penetration enhancers. Drug vehicle based method includes complexes, vesicles etc. Chemical method includes use of different chemicals like surfactants, terpenes, alcohol, urea etc. Physical method includes use of methods like microneedle, use of ultrasonic waves, electroporation etc.