Topical Iontophoresis for Targeted Local Drug Delivery to the Eye and Skin

Chapter
First Online:
Part of the Advances in Delivery Science and Technology book series (ADST)

Abstract

Iontophoresis is a noninvasive technique that involves the application of a mild electric current to enhance the penetration of hydrosoluble molecules into and through tissues, enabling a targeted delivery while minimizing systemic distribution of drugs, which makes it very attractive for the targeted treatment of local conditions by topical delivery. This means that iontophoresis is a very useful technique both for the treatment of dermatological conditions, e.g., those requiring very toxic therapeutic agents, such as skin cancers, and for the local delivery of cosmeceuticals. Topical therapies are also preferred in the case of ophthalmic diseases due to possible toxicity following systemic administration and the low bioavailability due to the blood–retina barrier. In this chapter the basic concepts and transport mechanisms behind iontophoresis are presented, and recent studies investigating topical iontophoretic delivery to the skin and the eye are reviewed and discussed.

Keywords

Atopic Dermatitis Stratum Corneum Aqueous Humor Mometasone Furoate Porcine Skin 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Controlled Release Society 2014

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Faculdade de Ciências da SaúdeUniversidade de BrasíliaBrasíliaBrazil
  2. 2.School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva and University of LausanneGenevaSwitzerland

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