EFFECT OF IONTOPHORETIC PATTERNS ON IN-VIVO ANTIDIURETIC RESPONSE TO DESMOPRESSIN ACETATE ADMINISTERED TRANSDERMALLY

The effects of concentration, amperage and duration on the antidiureti c response induced by iontophoretic delivery of desmopressin acetate ( DDAVP) were examined using a diabetes insipidus model in rats. A highe r current density brought about a larger and longer antidiuretic respo nse. Prolonged iontophoretic duration caused an overdose. Repeated sho rt iontophoretic treatments with lower current density maintained a co nstant response with a short lag time and a rapid disappearance of pha rmacological response immediately after cessation of the final treatme nt. This type of iontophoresis substantially reduced the inter-subject variability of response as compared to the response using an intranas al route of administration.