There has been an increasing interest in
applying biotechnology in formulating and characterising
new and innovative drug delivery methods, e.g.,
drug-loaded biodegradable microneedles within the
area of transdermal delivery technology. Recently,
microneedles have been proposed for use in pain
management, e.g., post-operative pain management
through delivery of a local anaesthetic, namely,
lidocaine. Lidocaine is a fairly common, marketed
prescription-based, local anaesthetic pharmaceutical,
applied for relieving localised pain and lidocaineloaded
microneedles have been explored. The purpose
of this review is to evaluate the properties of biodegradable
polymers that may allow the preparation of
microneedle systems, methods of preparing them and
pharmacokinetic conditions in considering the potential
use of lidocaine for delivery through the skin.
History
School
Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering
Department
Chemical Engineering
Citation
NAYAK, A. and DAS, D.B., 2013. Potential of biodegradable microneedles as a transdermal delivery vehicle for lidocaine. Biotechnology Letters, 35 (9), pp. 1351 - 1363.