TRANSDERMAL DRUG-DELIVERY - CLINICAL ASPECTS

The delivery of drugs into and through the skin is a recognized and ef fective means of therapy for dermatologic, regional, and systemic dise ase. The selection of drug candidates and the rational design of suita ble formulations depends upon the biological make-up of the skin's bar rier, and the physiochemical interactions between the membrane, the de livery system technology, and the active agent. This article summarize s the state of the art and examines more recent developments that are the subject of considerable research at this time. In addition, the po tential to use the skin as a portal for noninvasive clinical chemistry (e.g., for glucose monitoring in diabetics) is discussed.