Formulation and Evaluation of Transdermal Patch from Lamivudine and Stavudine-Loaded Twosomes

Abstract

The purpose of the work was to formulate and evaluate the Lamivudine and Stavudine-loaded ethosome transdermal patches for the controlled delivery of the drug in the body. Patches were formulated using various ratios of polymer HPMCK15M, (PVPK30) Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone and Ethyl Cellulose.   Transdermal patches were formulated by solvent evaporation method. The drug polymer interaction was investigated by FTIR and the results indicated no incompatibility. Lamivudine and Stavudine patches were evaluated for various parameters like thickness, folding endurance, percentage moisture loss, percentage moisture absorption, drug content uniformity, stability studies, in vitro skin permeation, skin irritation test. All formulations possess excellent physicochemical properties and exhibited negligible skin irritation with good physical stability. Permeation study was performed by using modified Franz diffusion cells. On the basis of drug release and physicochemical values, formulation FP6 was considered as an optimized formulation which shows higher percentage of drug release at 12 hours. Percentage drug release of Lamivudine and Stavudine-loaded ethosome transdermal patches was observed to be 95.24% Lamivudine and 94.24 % Stavudine drug at 12 hrs. Release kinetics studies revealed that the drug release from formulations FP6 followed Higuchi kinetics.