Transdermal Iontophoresis: Impact on Skin Integrity as Evaluated by Various Methods

Abstract

Transdermal iontophoresis, a noninvasive technique that facilitates drug transport through the skin by the use of an external electrical field, has expanded the scope of drugs that can be delivered transdermally and enables programmable drug delivery. In general, transdermal iontophoresis is considered to be a safe procedure, associated with moderate erythema and tingling sensations. However, ensuring that the skin barrier maintains its integrity during iontophoresis is an essential factor to increase its clinical applicability. This review focuses on the effect of transdermal iontophoresis on the integrity of skin, as evaluated by impedance spectroscopy, microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transepidermal water loss, laser doppler velocimetry, visual scoring, chromameter readings, and patient evaluation studies.

Anodal Iontophoresis of a Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Stimulator Induces a Sustained Increase in Skin Blood Flow in Rats

“…Transdermal iontophoresis is considered to be a safe procedure, associated with only moderate erythema and tingling sensations (Kumar and Lin, 2008). In the present work, we did not observe any significant toxicity of A-350619 iontophoresis on histopathologic examination of the skin.…”

Reducing Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation-Induced Erythema With Skin Pretreatment: Considerations for Sham-Controlled Clinical Trials

“…The erythema was evaluated by direct clinical observation. Nonetheless, the scoring system of Draize is one widely used validated method of visual evaluation of erythema . Further, all subjects were assessed by the same examiner (FG), who remained blinded to the intervention group throughout the trial.…”

Cathodal iontophoresis of treprostinil and iloprost induces a sustained increase in cutaneous flux in rats

“…A good candidate for therapeutic iontophoresis in patients with skin ulcers would be an ionized drug without cutaneous toxicity and with a large and sustained pharmacodynamic effect at the site of transdermal delivery enabling a once a day delivering protocol, without major systemic side effects. Transdermal iontophoresis is considered to be a safe procedure, associated with only moderate erythema and tingling sensations (Kumar and Lin, 2008). In terms of local toxicity, we observed no local side effects in the 3 days following iontophoresis of the different drugs and the pH remained compatible with topical application.…”