Iontophoresis: principles and applications

Abstract

Introduction Iontophoresis is a noninvasive technique used to increase transdermal penetration of substances through the skin layer (epidermis, dermis and hypodermis) in a controlled manner. Technological advance in recent decades have provided reduced cost of equipment needed for implementation, which allowed for the expansion of this technique. Objective The aim of this paper is to present the state of the art on iontophoresis, ranging from the atomic characteristics of the ion formation to the current applications of the technique. Methods Were researched papers from databases: IOP publishing, ScienceDirect, Pubmed, Springer, IEEE Xplore, Google Scholar and books with keywords iontophoresis, ions, topical applications between 1967 and 2010. Results Were selected (number of papers and database) 1 IOP Publishing, 1 from ScienceDirect, Central, 1 from Springer, 2 from PubMed, 11 from IEEE Xplore, 35 from Google Scholar, and 15 books, totaling 66 references and websites with nationally marketed electrotherapy products. Conclusion Iontophoresis is suitable for applications such as acetic acid (calcific tendinitis and myositis ossificans), calcium chloride and magnesium sulfate (control of musculoskeletal spasms), dexamethasone (inflammation), lidocaine (inflammation of soft tissues), zinc oxide (rheumatoid arthritis). It is also used in cosmetic applications with devices attached to the skin and for eye treatment aimed at specific tissues of the eye, providing a treatment option for various eye diseases, reducing the complications secondary to traditional methods of treatment. The advantages are the significant increase in the release and control of therapeutic agents, including drugs with high molecular weight. The disadvantages of iontophoresis are the complexity of the drug release system and prolonged exposure of the skin to an electrical current.

Calcifying Tendonitis of the Shoulder: Risk Factors and Effectiveness of Acetic Acid Iontophoresis and Ultrasound

“…Iontophoresis is a noninvasive technique that increases the penetration of transdermal substances (drugs) through the skin layers (epidermis, dermis and hypodermis) in a controlled manner and by the application of electric current, based on physical-chemical principles of attraction and repulsion of charges (26). Its most common applications are: 1) Calcifying tendinitis and myositis ossificans (acetic acid) (27); 2) Controlling muscle spasms (calcium chloride and magnesium sulfate); 3) Inflammation (dexamethasone); 4) Soft tissue swelling (lidocaine); 5) Acute joint pain in rheumatoid arthritis (zinc oxide) (26). This technique is cheap based on the economic use of topical medications and since the electrotherapy equipment decreased in size and are more accessible due to lowproduction-costs (28).…”

Microvascular endothelial function and severity of primary open angle glaucoma

“…45 This method is based on the principle that charges with the same signal repel and charges with opposite signals attract, facilitating the penetration of ions through the skin. 46 ACh powder (Fluka Chemie Gmbh, Tokyo, Japan) and SNP powder (Riedel-de Haen, C.O.O., Buchs, Switzerland) were used as endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilators, respectively. Sodium chloride solution, 0.9% at a physiological strength of 0.154 M (Excel Pharmaceutical, Selangor, Malaysia) was used to dilute both drugs to obtain concentrations of 1% of ACh and 1% of SNP.…”

A flexible device for ocular iontophoretic drug delivery

“…Although the device was used under direct current in the experiments at present for the first step, it is considered to be used under wide pulsed current (usually under 1 kHz) because of its less injury for the tissue in some cases. 21 When using for human, the drug solution should also be isotonic with human body fluid. The device was used under the eyelid in a liquid environment, with the drug solution around it.…”