Transdermal Delivery of Verapamil HCl: Effect of Penetration Agent on In Vitro Penetration through Rat Skin

Verapamil Hydrochloride is a calcium channel blocking anti-anginal agent. Extensive first pass metabolism, low bioavailability (~20%) and short biological half life (4.8 hrs) altogether makes it an ideal candidate for transdermal drug delivery. The objectives of this study were to develop matrix-type transdermal patches of verapamil hydrochloride (VPL) with combinations of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and hydroxy propyl cellulose (HPC) as matrix polymers and to investigate the influence of oleic acid (OA) on in vitro permeation of VPL through rat skin. The permeation studies were performed using Franz-type diffusion cells and full-thickness excised abdominal rat skin. The effect of the polymers on the drug release, percentage moisture loss, percentage moisture absorption, folding endurance, and thickness, were investigated.. In vitro release studies showed zero-order release of the drug from all the patches, and the mechanism of release was diffusion mediated. Data was analysed using different release kinetic models. In vitro release profiles showed that from optimized combination the release of the drug was sustained and it extended over a period of 24 hr VPM 006 emerged as the most satisfactory formulation as far as its technological properties were concerned.