A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON TRANSDERMAL PATCHES FOR ANTIFUNGAL DRUG DELIVERY

Fungal infections are very common and often need long-term treatment, but oral antifungal medicines can cause side effects and may not always give consistent results. Because of this, transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) are becoming an attractive alternative. Transdermal patches deliver medicine through the skin at a controlled rate, avoid first-pass metabolism, reduce stomach-related problems, and improve patient comfort and compliance. This review explains the basic design of antifungal transdermal patches, including reservoir, matrix, and drug-in-adhesive systems, along with the role of polymers, plasticizers, and penetration enhancers in improving patch performance. It also discusses commonly used antifungal drugs such as azoles, allylamines, and polyenes, and the challenges related to their skin permeability. Modern approaches like microneedles, iontophoresis, and nanocarriers are highlighted as promising methods to enhance drug delivery. In addition, important evaluation methods such as thickness testing, drug release studies, permeation studies, and stability testing are described. Overall, antifungal transdermal patches offer a safe, convenient, and effective way to treat fungal infections, although more research is still needed to overcome limitations like skin irritation and limited drug loading.