OPTIMIZATION AND IN VITRO EVALUATION OF TRANSDERMAL PATCH OF SUMATRIPTAN

In the present study the prime objective was to develop transdermal patches loaded with sumatriptan in order to improve its bioavailability by sustaining the drug release. Transdermal patches were prepared using Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC K) as the hydrophilic matrix and ethyl cellulose (EC) as the lipophilic component. The elasticity of the patches was attained using oleic acid (30% polymeric weight) as the plasticizer. EC and HPMC were used in 3 different ratios to obtain the most optimum formulation. All the prepared patches were subjected to visual inspection for examining the physical appearance. The physical appearance of the patches gave satisfactory results. All the prepared patches were found to be smooth, non-sticky, opaque, homogeneous, and flexible in nature. The pH levels of the patches ranged between 5.29 ± 0.006 to 5.69 ± 0.015 suggesting their suitability of human use and possibly suggesting that no skin irritation would be produced on application of the patches. The thickness of the transdermal patches ranged from 0.513 ± 0.004 mm to 0.689 ± 0.004 mm. This difference in the thickness could be attributed to the nature and concentrations of polymers, i.e., an increase in the concentration of the hydrophilic polymer HPMC led to an increased thickness of the transdermal patch. The formulated transdermal patches displayed weight variations between 39.33 ± 0.577 mg and 54.66 ± 0.577 mg.