First Ibuprofen Patch Developed

Researchers from the University of Warwick in Coventry, England have developed first ibuprofen patch, which they say can consistently deliver the drug directly through the skin to the exact location it’s needed.

The new patch, which incorporates polymer technology developed by global adhesive company Bostik, sticks to the patient’s skin, administering ibuprofen at a steady rate for as long as 12 hours, according to a University of Warwick statement. This, the researchers say, opens the way for the development of a range of novel, long-acting over-the-counter pain-relief products to be used to treat common painful conditions such as chronic back pain, neuralgia, and arthritis, without the need to take potentially damaging doses of the drug orally.
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According to the University, the patch remains highly tacky, and adheres well to the skin, even when the drug load reaches levels as high as 30% of the patch’s weight and volume. The University states that the drug load made possible by this new technology can be as much as 5 to 10 times that found in some medical patches and gels that are currently in use, and notes that many available ibuprofen gels make controlling dosage difficult, and are inconvenient to apply.

“Our ibuprofen patch can deliver the drug directly into the skin at the site of pain,” says Nigel Davis, CEO of Medherant. “This means the dose is lower than when given orally and the oral route is not suitable for many patients due to GI problems.”

Topical creams are available, he adds, “but there is no control over the amount that a patient uses. Our patches will contain precisely defined doses, so the physician can be confident that the patient will apply the correct dose.”

—Mark McGraw

Warwick. Researchers create World's first ibuprofen patch - delivering pain relief directly through the skin [press release]. December 2015. http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/newsandevents/pressreleases/researchers_create_world146s/.