FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF MATRIX TYPE TRANSDERMAL PATCH OF DICLOFENAC SODIUM

Kunal Vagrawal*, Prof. Dr. Pankaj Kumar Sharma, Prof. Dr. Jaya Sharma, Prof. Dr. Pankaj Sharma, Prof. Mr. Balbeer Singh

ABSTRACT

Background: The clinical and biopharmaceutical utility of oral Diclofenac Sodium is severely constrained by its exceptionally short biological half-life (1.2 to 2.0 hours) and a high incidence of gastrointestinal systemic complications, including mucosal ulceration, localized bleeding, systemic toxic responses, and extensive hepatic first-pass metabolism. Objective: This study systematically engineered, physically optimized, and biophysically evaluated a monolithic matrix-type Transdermal Drug Delivery System (TDDS) designed specifically to achieve sustained, controlled, and pseudo-zero-order systemic delivery over an extended 24-hour therapeutic window. Methods: Medicated polymeric patches were fabricated via the standard commercial solvent casting method using varying blending ratios of hydrophilic polymers (Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose and Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose E15) and hydrophobic Ethyl Cellulose (EC). The entire matrix assembly was plasticized using Propylene Glycol at a constant concentration of 30% w/w based on dry polymer weight. Chemical permeation enhancers, including Oleic Acid and Tween 20, were incorporated at a concentration of 5% w/w to modulate the structured resistance of the stratum corneum barrier.

Keywords: Diclofenac sodium, Transdermal patch, matrix-tyoe TDDS, Solvent casting, sustained release, skin permeation.