Development and In vitro Evaluation of Self-Adhesive Matrix-Type Transdermal Delivery System of Ondansetron Hydrochloride

Purpose: To develop and evaluate self-adhesive matrix-type ondansetron hydrochloride (OND) transdermal formulation.
Methods: OND transdermal patches were prepared using solvent casting method. The matrix polymer composition was Eudragit E 100, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and either propylene glycol or dibutyl sebacate as plasticizer. Mean patch thickness, tensile strength, moisture content, water absorption capacity and drug content of the patches were studied. In vitro release and permeation of the patches were determined using Franz diffusion cell.
Results: Mean patch thickness, moisture content, and water uptake increased with increased contents of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and plasticiser. Higher levels of PVP and plasticiser increased drug release. Addition of release modifier such as succinic acid (SA) and myristic acid (MA) to the patch formulations produced a significant increase in drug release from the patch. Higuchi plots for patches containing propylene glycol (PG) were non-linear (r² = 0.9564), indicating that they did not follow Higuchi release model whereas the plots for most of the patches containing dibutyl sebacate (DBS) followed Higuchi release model (r² = 0.9974).
Conclusion: DBS is a superior plasticiser to PG for OND matrix patches while succinic acid (SA) is a more effective release modifier than myristic acid (MA) for PG patches.

Keywords
Ondansetron hydrochloride; Drug release; Release modifier; Transdermal; Dibutyl sebacate; Succinic acid; Higuchi model; Plasticizer