NEW PATCH DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR PERCUTANEOUS LOCAL ANAESTHESIA

• Published in: British journal of anaesthesia : BJA Vol. 71; no. 3; pp. 370 - 374
• Main Authors: McCAFFERTY, D.F., WOOLFSON, A.D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.09.1993; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Administration, Cutaneous; Adult; Anaesthetics; Anaesthetics, local: amethocaine, EMLA; Anesthesia, Local - methods; Anesthetics, Local; Anesthetics. Neuromuscular blocking agents; Biological and medical sciences; Double-Blind Method; Drug Combinations; EMLA; Female; Gels; Humans; Lidocaine - pharmacology; Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; local: amethocaine; Male; Medical sciences; Neuropharmacology; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Prilocaine - pharmacology; Skin - metabolism; Tetracaine - administration & dosage; Tetracaine - pharmacokinetics; Tetracaine - pharmacology; Anaesthetics, local: amethocaine, EMLA; Local anesthetic; Human; Absorption; Transdermal system; Cream; Skin; Pharmacokinetics; Patch; Comparative study; Percutaneous route
• ISSN: 0007-0912; 1471-6771
• DOI: 10.1093/bja/71.3.370

We have assessed the release of amethocaine from a new patch delivery system and subsequent drug diffusion through human stratum corneum and whole skin. We found that the patch system was more efficient than an amethocaine gel preparation. It was also observed, both in vitro and in vivo, that the stratum corneum acted as a reservoir for amethocaine. A double-blinded clinical trial, using 30- and 60-mm application times, indicated that there was no statistical difference between patch and gel formulations in onset of percutaneous local anaesthesia. Furthermore, a 30-mm application of the patch was sufficient to provide profound and prolonged topical anaesthesia in all volunteers. In contrast, although a 60-mm application of EMLA was necessary to ensure satisfactory onset of percutaneous anaesthesia, the duration of action was much shorter than that of the amethocaine patch.