Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part A (2024)

The formulation design and in vivo assessment of transdermal patches containing topiramate—a well-known antiepileptic and antimigraine drug are presented in this work. The principal aim is to tackle the issues related to systemic adverse effects and low oral bioavailability of topiramate, which result in weakened patient adherence. To ensure controlled and prolonged medication release, a blend of polymeric matrix, specifically polyvinyl pyrrolidone and ethyl cellulose, was carefully developed for the transdermal patches. To thoroughly characterize the prepared patches, investigations on skin penetration, physicochemical characteristics, and in vitro drug release kinetics were carried out. The effectiveness of transdermal drug administration was then evaluated in vivo using animal models and selected formulations. Pharmacokinetic parameters like T max, C max, and AUC were measured. In this study, a matrix-type transdermal treatment system consisting of TPM with varying ratios of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymeric combinations has been attempted to be developed through the application of solvent casting technique. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the physicochemical compatibility of the medication and the polymers was investigated. The acquired results did not indicate any incompatibility between the medication and the polymers on a physical-chemical level. The patches underwent additional physical assessments in addition to the ex vivo permeation experiments conducted on pig ear skin.