Microneedles: A Novel Approach on Transdermal Drug Delivery

Transdermal drug delivery via microneedles is emerging as a more effective alternative to traditional oral medication routes. Oral delivery often faces challenges such as exposure to stomach acid and digestive enzymes, leading to drug denaturation and poor effectiveness. Microneedle technology addresses these issues by delivering drugs through the skin, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract. This method also helps patients who experience discomfort from injections, improving overall compliance. There are five main types of microneedles: solid, coated, dissolving, hollow, and hydrogel forming. Each type offers unique advantages depending on the materials used in their production. Microneedle arrays, in particular provide a minimally invasive way to administer medications by only piercing the outer layer of the skin, known as the stratum corneum. This study explores various therapeutic drugs, focusing on protein pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and small molecule drugs used in regenerative medicine. The significance of microneedles lies in their ability to enhance drug delivery, offering a promising approach for improving patient outcomes in various medical treatments.