DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SELF-HEALING TRANSDERMAL PATCH OF LIDOCAINE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PAIN

Abstract

Pain management is a significant challenge due to the side effects associated with commonly prescribed medications like NSAIDs and opioids. Local anesthetics, such as lidocaine, offer an alternative with fewer side effects when formulated in topical patches. Transdermal delivery systems, including heated patches, enhance drug absorption and provide targeted pain relief. This research paper aims to develop and characterize a self-heating transdermal patch of lidocaine for pain management. The drug sample of lidocaine was characterized using UV-visible spectrophotometric analysis, melting point determination, and differential scanning calorimetry. The results confirmed the purity of the drug sample. Pre-formulation studies were conducted to determine the solubility and partition coefficient of lidocaine, as well as drug-excipient interaction studies. The formulation of the lidocaine transdermal patch included the selection of excipients such as solvents, adhesives, solubilizers, and permeation enhancers. The patch was developed in three trial batches, with the final batch prepared using a drug-in-adhesive type approach. The developed patch was evaluated for physical characteristics, solvent residual content, rolling ball test, shear strength, drug crystallization, drug content, and in-vitro permeation. The results of the evaluation showed that the developed lidocaine transdermal patch had the desired physical characteristics, uniform thickness, good folding endurance, and appropriate solvent residual content. It exhibited satisfactory rolling ball test and shear strength. Microscopic examination confirmed the absence of drug crystallization. The drug content of the patch was determined to be within the desired range, and the in-vitro permeation study demonstrated successful drug release through the dialysis membrane. In conclusion, the development and characterization of a self-heating transdermal patch of lidocaine for pain management provide a promising approach for effective and targeted pain relief. The patch formulation demonstrated suitable physical properties, drug content, and permeation characteristics, suggesting its potential as an alternative pain management solution. KEYWORDS: Lidocaine, transdermal patch, pain management, self-heating, drug delivery