Abstract

Trazodone hydrochloride has not been previously investigated and reported for potential administration through transdermal route. Therefore, the present investigation was carried out to study the effect of polymeric composition, drug content and plasticizer on the permeation of trazodone hydrochloride across the mouse epidermis for the development of transdermal therapeutic system. The pseudolatex films with different combination of polymers, plasticizer and drug were prepared from aqueous colloidal polymer dispersions. The polymers used were Eudragit RL100 and RS100. Triethylcitrate was used as plasticizer. The in vitro release and skin permeation through mouse epidermis from the prepared films were studied using Keshary-Chien diffusion cell. The in vitro drug release increased with increasing amount of Eudragit RL100 in the film. It was observed that the maximum skin permeability was attained at a loading dose of 10% w/w in the film. The in vitro flux decreased gradually at higher concentration up to 13% w/w. The present study has demonstrated the potential of the fabricated pseudolatex transdermal films for sustained release of trazodone hydrochloride. The concentration of triethylcitrate in the film markedly affected the skin permeation properties of trazodone hydrochloride.