Percutaneous Absorption of Indomethacin from Pluronic F127 Gels in Rats

Thermally reversible gels of the poly(oxyethylene)-poly (oxypropylene)-(polyoxyethylene) triblock copolymer, Pluronic F127, were evaluated as vehicles for the percutaneous administration of drugs using indomethacin as a model drug. In-vivo percutaneous absorption studies using a rat model suggest that a 20% w/w aqueous gel of Pluronic F127 may be of practical use as a base for topical administration of the drug. The addition of isopropyl myristate or (+)-limonene to the gel formulation significantly improved percutaneous absorption, particularly when the gel was applied using an occlusive dressing technique.