Formulation and Evaluation of Transdermal Patch of Rabeprazole Sodium

Aim: The goal of the current study is to design and evaluate transdermal patches of rabeprazole sodium (RPS). 
Materials and Methods: Transdermal patches of RPS were prepared using polymers such as hydroxyl propyl cellulose (HPC-EF), polyvinyl pyrrolidone K-30 (PVP K-30), and polyvinyl pyrrolidone K-90 (PVP K-90) as film formers, polyethylene glycol (PEG-400) as a plasticizer, and Tween-80 and azone as permeation enhancers. The solvent casting technique was employed to develop the patches using aluminum foil as the backing membrane. These patches were evaluated for compatibility using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometry and for content by ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometry besides physicochemical properties such as thickness, adhesion, moisture content, moisture loss, and folding endurance. The patches were tested for in vitro release in United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) dissolution apparatus V and ex vivo permeation across shed snake skin in vertical Franz diffusion cell (FDC). 
Results: The characteristic FTIR spectra of RPS were also evident in the spectra of the patches, indicating drug-excipient compatibility. In vitro drug release indicated that the release of the drug was maximum from patches composed of HPC-EF (60.08±1.04%), which was much higher when compared with patches made of PVP K-30 (47.53±0.40%) and PVP K-90 (42.84±0.74%). The ex vivo permeation studies suggested that about 116.79±1.99 μg/cm2 of the drug was permeated in 24 h from formulation patches composed of HPC-EF that resulted in flux of nearly 7.06 μg/cm2/h. 
Conclusion: The studies indicated that feasibility of transdermal delivery of rabeprazole as a patch of 16 cm2 is likely to suffice the therapeutic requirement.