Effect of Penetration Enhancers on the in Vitro Transport of Ephedrine Through Rat Skin and Human Epidermis from Matrix Based Transdermal Formulations

The potential of skin as a site for administration of systemically active Ephedrine HCl (EH) has been recognised. The effect of penetration enhancers, i.e., Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), Dimethyl acetamide (DMA), Dimethyl formamide (DMF) and Azone on the in-vitro transport of EH from matrix based transdermal formulations through full thickness rat skin and human epidermis was investigated. The highest flux with minimum time lag through rat skin and human epidermis was observed from the batch containing Azone as penetration enhancer.