Formulation and Evaluation of Polymeric Films of Ketoprofen Transdermal Patches

In this study, an attempt was made to develop and evaluate transdermal matrix films of ketoprofen using ethyl cellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and poly1-vinyl pyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate (Copovidone) to achieve controlled release in order to minimize adverse effects associated with oral administration. Transdermal films of ketoprofen with EC alone and blends of EC: PVP and EC: Copovidone in different ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 1:6 and 1:9 were prepared by by method of solvent casting on mercury surface. FTIR and DSC were studied to assess any interaction between the drug and the polymers. All prepared films were evaluated for physicochemical characteristics such as physical apprearance, thickness and weight uniformity, folding endurance, water vapor transmission (WVT) studies, SEM analysis and drug content uniformity. The in vitro permeation studies through rat abdominal skin were performed by using fabricated Keshary-Chien diffusion cell and obtained results were computed by using dissolution software PCP DISSO V3. The in vitro release data of all films were treated with various kinetic models such as Higuchi, first order, zero order and Korsemeyer-Peppas model. Further in vivo studies like anti-inflammatory, analgesic and skin irritation test were performed for selected EC: PVP and EC: Copovidone films. From the overall in vitro permeation Studies it could be concluded that the polymeric matrix-type transdermal films of ketoprofen prepared with the blends of hydrophobic (EC) and hydrophilic polymers (PVP and Copovidone) in different ratios holds potential for transdermal delivery which gives a slow and controlled release of drug up to 24 h. Further the present investigations revealed that the problems of ketoprofen on oral administration like gastric side effects can be overcome by applying the drug topically in the form of transdermal film.