TRANSDERMAL DELIVERY OF PROPRANOLOL

Three transdermal formulations containing propranolol hydrochloride in a hydrophilic polymer matrix were prepared - one without a rate contr olling membrane(H-1), one with a 20 mu thick Ethylene Vinyl Acetate(EV A) rate controlling membrane (H-2) and one with a 65 mu thick EVA memb rane. These patches were evaluated for their in-vitro performance. Cum ulative % permeated across excised hairfree rat skin were 79.2% from H -1, 65.53% from H-2 and 53.44% from H-3. Increase in thickness of EVA lead to greater retention of drug in device and a zero order profile w as seen with patches H-2 and H-3. Matrix diffusion profile was observe d with H-1 patch.