Formulation and Evaluation of Transdermal Drug Delivery System of Clopidogrel Bisulfate

Transdermal drug delivery is an alternative route for systemic drug delivery which minimizes the absorption and increases the bioavailability. Orally Clopidogrel bisulfate has a short elimination half-life (7-8 hrs.), low oral bioavailability (50%) undergoes extensive first pass metabolism (85%) and frequent high doses (75 mg) are required to maintain the therapeutic level as a result, dose development toxic effect. The purpose of this research work was to Formulation and evaluation of transdermal drug delivery system of Clopidogrel bisulfate using various polymers such as HPMC, PVP and Ethyl cellulose by solvent evaporation technique for improvement of bioavailability of drug and reducing toxic effects. The prepared formulations were evaluated for different physicochemical characteristics like thickness, folding endurance, drug content, percentage moisture absorption, percentage moisture loss and weight uniformity. The diffusion studies were performed by using modified Franz diffusion cells. The result of diffusion study shows that formulation, F2 (Hydroxy propyl methylcellulose and PVP) showed maximum release of 90.06 % in 24 h, whereas F5 (HPMC and Ethyl cellulose) showed minimum release of 78.24% in 24 h. Based on the drug release and physicochemical values obtained the formulation F2 is considered as an optimized formulation which shows higher percentage of drug release of 90.06 % in 24 h. The developed transdermal patches increase the therapeutic efficacy and reduced toxic effect of Clopidogrel bisulfate.