EP0644746A1 — The use of glycerin in moderating transdermal drug delivery

USPTO Abstract

A transdermal/transmucosal drug delivery system utilizes glycerin to moderate the initial burst effect of transdermal drug delivery and also maintain the delivery to the derma/mucosa at a relatively sustained rate over the duration of the application to either an application or afflicted situs. The drug composition contains an effective amount of a percutaneously absorbable drug and an amount of glycerin which is effective to moderate and maintain the transdermal delivery of the drug. The system also contains means for maintaining the drug composition in a drug transferring relationship with the derma/mucosa. When applied to an afflicted situs the composition is preferably a gel, cream, lotion or ointment. When applied to an application situs the compositions are contained within a device such as a matrix or liquid reservoir patch which is held to the application site by means of the adhesive. The drug composition may contain glycerin in amounts of between about 0.1 to 50 % by volume.