Improved patient acceptability with a transdermal drug‐in‐adhesive oestradiol patch

Abstract

The aim of this trial was to assess the relative patient acceptability of two transdermal oestradiol patches used in treatment of oestrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women. Thirty-five hysterectomised postmenopausal women with no previous experience of transdermal oestradiol delivery systems received treatment with either once-weekly drug-in-adhesive (DIA) patches or twice-weekly reservoir patches for 4 weeks, and were then switched to the alternative treatment for a further 4 weeks. At the end of the study, the patients completed a questionnaire to assess their relative preference for a number of characteristics of the 2 transdermal systems and, where possible, their preference for transdermal compared with oral hormone replacement therapy. Thirty-one patients completed the study; four withdrew during treatment with the reservoir patch. The DIA patch was preferred for being 'easiest to remember to apply' by 80% of patients (p < 0.01), 'easiest to open' and 'easiest to apply' by 68% (p = 0.025), and as having 'best cosmetic appearance' by 65% (p = 0.05) and 'best overall skin adhesion' by 61% (p < 0.01). While 10% of patients rated the reservoir patch as 'least irritating to the skin' (p = 0.03), only one patient found this patch 'most comfortable to wear' (p < 0.01). The DIA patch was selected by 87% of patients as their preferred treatment overall (p = 0.001). Ninety-one per cent of 22 responding patients were at least as confident of treatment with transdermal patches as with oral hormone replacement therapy (p = 0.006) and 74 % of 27 responders preferred transdermal to oral treatment (p = 0.004). The DIA patch appears to be more acceptable to patients than the reservoir patch as a transdermal oestradiol delivery system for the treatment of postmenopausal oestrogen deficiency. Characteristics of the DIA patch which may account for improved patient acceptance include ease of remembering once-weekly patch application, improved cosmetic appearance and comfort, and better adhesion.

Formulation and characterization of novel soft nanovesicles for enhanced transdermal delivery of eprosartan mesylate

“…Cases with high blood pressure require long-term management of hypertension. In some certain cases, a lifetime treatment is suggested (Lake and Pinnock, 2000; Saroha et al, 2011). Among the antihypertensive agents, angiotensin II receptor blockers are the most commonly prescribed medications for hypertensive patients.…”

Transdermal patches: history, development and pharmacology

“…However, while the DIA patch appears easier to make than its reservoir/rate-controlling membrane and traditional matrix patch counterparts, the formulation of such a patch is rather challenging (Padula et al, 2007). A key outcome from the DIA design are lighter, thinner and more flexible patches that are more comfortable to wear, have better conformity with skin surface variations and a significant improvement in patient acceptability (Hougham et al, 1989;Wick et al, 1989;Lake and Pinnock, 2000). In 1996, Roy et al evaluated the physicochemical properties of adhesives used in the design of DIA transdermal patches (Roy et al, 1996).…”

Transdermal delivery of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and others for management of hypertension

“…Patients with hypertension needs long-term treatment and sometimes lifelong therapy is advised, as TTS offer a better quality of life, they are more accepted than the oral dosage forms (Lake & Pinnock, 2000;Saroha et al, 2011); therefore, drug deliveries via transdermal route are ideally suited for ailments like hypertension that need chronic treatment (Ahad et al, 2011a;Harries & Armstrong, 2012;Bairwa et al, 2014). In addition, good number of anti-hypertensive drugs undergo extensive first-pass metabolism which too can be avoided by transdermal therapy (Jain et al, 2008).…”