Effect of iontophoresis and switching iontophoresis on skin accumulation of ketoprofen.

The effect of iontophoresis and switching iontophoresis on the skin accumulation of drugs was investigated. An acrylic diffusion cell mounted with electrode cells (bore: 2.2 cm) with circular platinum electrodes (diameter: 2.0 cm) was used for the skin accumulation study. The skin accumulation of fluorescein after non-switching and switching iontophoresis was macroscopically compared with that achieved by passive diffusion (control). Intense fluorescence was observed after the application of non-switching and switching iontophoresis. Furthermore, fluorescence was observed just under the electrode cell and hardly spread in the skin beyond the area of the electrode cell. The skin accumulation of ketoprofen after non-switching and switching iontophoresis was also compared with control data. Although non-switching iontophoresis showed the highest amount of ketoprofen accumulated in skin, skin irritation was observed. Among the various switching intervals, switching iontophoresis using 10-min intervals achieved the highest value, and there was no skin irritation. Furthermore, the amount of ketoprofen accumulated was maintained after switching iontophoresis at 10-min intervals up to 180 min. Since the amount of ketoprofen in skin after switching iontophoresis was greater than that after intermittent iontophoresis, switching iontophoresis should increase the amount of ketoprofen due to enhancement of skin penetration by skin hydration. These findings suggest that switching iontophoresis using an optimal switching interval can prevent skin irritation and enhance drug accumulation in the skin.