FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF TRANSDERMAL PATCH OF SILDENAFIL CITRATE

Satheeshkumar P.*, Dharineesh N., Dharmasimma B., Dhinesh Britto C. and Dr. K. G. Parthiban

The objective of this study was to formulate and evaluate a transdermal patch of sildenafil citrate to enhance its bioavailability, reduce first-pass metabolism, and provide sustained release. Sildenafil citrate, a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, is commonly used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction but faces limitations related to its oral bioavailability and short half-life. Transdermal drug delivery offers an alternative route of administration that can bypass the gastrointestinal tract and liver metabolism, thereby improving therapeutic outcomes. The sildenafil citrate patches were prepared using different polymers hydroxypropyl methylcellulose,and plasticizers polyethylene glycol to optimize the release characteristics. The patches were evaluated for various physicochemical properties, including thickness, weight uniformity and drug content. In vitro drug release studies were conducted using a Franz diffusion cell to determine the release profile of sildenafil citrate. The results showed that the patches exhibited a controlled release over 24 hours, with a significant increase in drug permeation across the skin compared to conventional oral formulations. The stability studies indicated that the patches were stable under accelerated conditions, with no significant degradation of sildenafil citrate. The formulation demonstrated potential for effective transdermal delivery, providing a novel approach for sustained-release sildenafil therapy, which could improve patient compliance and therapeutic efficacy.