Onychomycosis is a significant nail disorder due to fungal infection, that causes damage to the finger or toenails. The infection involves the invasion of fungi into nail components like nail matrix, nail bed and nail plate. So the management of onychomycosis is necessary as it causes a negative impact on patients quality of life. The consequences of the disease include pain and disfigurement which in turn leads to burning, vesicle formation or stinging around the nails. The selection of topical treatment methods is a challenge for the dermatologist to achieve effective management of onychomycosis. The study aimed to benefit the dermatologist to select the best dosage form for the treatment by using the Analytical Hierarchy Process -a multicriteria decision-making tool. The various dosage forms available are for the Transungual route includes Nail lacquer, Nail patches, colloidal carriers, Nanoemulsions, Nanoparticles, Liposomes, Microemulsions, Hydrogels/In situ gels. The parameters that help to achieve the reproducibility and consistency for treatment are Drug permeation, Drug distribution, Treatment methods, Therapeutic efficacy, Patient compliance, Treatment strategy. So, it is necessary to incorporate all the factors that influence the dosage form selection in the decision-making process. Due to the side effects of oral antifungal therapies, the various transungual dosage form alternatives selected for the study are Nail patches, Nail lacquers, Nanoemulsions, Microemulsions and in-situ hydrogels. The ultimate ranking of the alternative is based on the composite score. These findings will enable the dermatologist to develop an adequate treatment strategy for the proper management of onychomycosis to improve the quality of life in patients.
Transungual drug delivery systems distribute therapeutic agents through the human nail, a unique way for delivering medications for nail disorders caused by fungal infections. The human nail is a hydrophilic barrier made up of keratinized cells that cover the nail bed and matrix underneath. For nail diseases, the systemic or oral mode of drug delivery reduces the drug's potency at the site of action. To achieve longer contact duration at the application site, it is necessary to increase drug absorption to the nail unit. The primary goal of this review paper is to provide an overview of characterization studies on physicochemical characteristics; in-vitro and in-vivo approaches for transungual drug delivery to treat nail fungal infections using medicated nail patches. However, in order to acquire a wide overview of the characterization elements of this rapidly increasing multidisciplinary field of study, a number of articles and technical studies dealing with nail patches were investigated. It also included the methodology employed in the characterization studies, as well as the implications for process design.
Onychomycosis (Tinea unguium) is said to be the most common cosmetological nail fungal infection. Dermatophyte is a type of fungus that causes this condition. Discoloration and thickening of the nail are found to be the common symptoms of all nail diseases. In this scenario, Onychomycosis is considered as one of the cosmetic problems that leads to cellulitis in adults and diabetic patients. Anatomical structure of the nail and disease manifestations made nail disorders as a difficult endeavor. Onychomycosis is chronic and difficult to eradicate. Many oral antifungal agents are available for the treatment of nail infections. The oral and parenteral administration of antifungal agents can elevate the serum hepatic enzyme levels and causes typical hepatocellular injury within a few weeks of therapy. The goal of this review is to study the role of transungal delivery systems (nail patches) as a promising tool for onychomycosis to encounter the clinical conditions of the patient. Longer therapies and technical treatment methods may frustrate the patients. This novel antifungal therapy helps to avoid the surgical removal of nail for onychomycosis patients. Eradication of issues with Onychomycosis can be achieved by an excellent delivery system with deeper drug release and drug retention in the nail cuticle. Patients who are suffered from onychomycosis are facing embarrassment and disfigurement in the society. So, this newer treatment solution can improve the quality of life of patients.1-3
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.