Abstract

Since oral bioavailability of terbutaline sulphate is poor, pseudolatex transdermal patches incorporating terbutaline sulphate were prepared as an effective mode of therapy for nocturnal asthma in particular. The pseudolatex patches were formulated using combinations of Eudragit RS 100 and RL 100 and Eudraflex as plasticizer. The physicochemical characterization of the films were evaluated for suitability and drug release profile from the films as well as skin permeation aspects were evaluated for therapeutic efficacy. The resulted medicated patches were of average thickness (95-155 μm), and content uniformity of the drug varied from 94.5 to 99.1 percent. The formulation F3 showed least and F7 showed highest percentage of elongation. The percentage of moisture absorption varied from 2.91 to 3.65 at 63 percent relative humidity. The release profiles from the patches followed apparent zero order pattern up to a period 12 h, after which it levels off. The cumulative amount of drug permeated over a period of 24 h was found to be 4.8 mg/cm², which was about 50 percent of the loaded dose. The skin permeation took place at a steady rate over a period of 12 h after which the rate was reduced.