Development and Evaluation of Ketoprofen Acrylic Transdermal Patches

Purpose: To fabricate ketoprofen transdermal patches (KTPs) using an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) polymer. Methods: KTPs were prepared using solvent casting method. The influence of the amount of PSA, drug content, and terpenes as penetration enhancers on the characteristics of the patch, namely, thickness, W/A ratio, and adhesiveness and in vitro skin permeation, were investigated. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies were also performed on the patches. The physical and chemical stability of KTPs after storage at 40 °C, and 75 %RH for 1 month was also evaluated. Results: DSC thermograms demonstrate that the drug was dispersed molecularly in the polymer in all the formulations. Increase in PSA content increased the W/A ratio and adhesiveness of KTPs. Ketoprofen release from the transdermal patches followed the Higuchi diffusion model. Ketoprofen flux increased with increase in the ketoprofen content of the adhesive matrix. Inclusion of terpenes in the patch formulations significantly increased the permeation of ketoprofen through the skin, with enhancement ratio (ER) ranging from 1.4 to 2.6. Conclusion: KTPs formulated with acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive and incorporating terpenes as permeation enhancers demonstrated suitable characteristics for transdermal delivery of ketoprofen.