Medicating with Transdermal Gels and Creams

The use of gels and creams to deliver medication transdermally has gained popularity and validity in the last several years. The medical profession and scientific communities have found innovative ways to broaden the use of transdermal medication delivery system.

What is transdermal delivery?

The use of medication in a cream/gel base that is applied topically. The medication penetrates through the skin and is directly absorbed into the blood stream.

What are the benefits?

Simply stated, compliance.

Many patients have difficulty swallowing pills or capsules or have adverse reactions when digesting medication in pill or capsule form. For hospice patients, transdermal delivery provides a better quality of life because there are no uncomfortable injections to take or pills to remember.

Transdermal medication delivery is painless, easy, and a comfortable process with very few side effects.

What are the side effects?

Prolonged use in the same area may cause skin irritations.

How is it currently being used?

Current therapies using transdermal medication delivery are: