Age-related percutaneous penetration part 2: effect of age on dermatopharmacokinetics and overview of transdermal products

Skin Therapy Lett. 2012 Jun;17(6):5-7.

Abstract

Transdermal drug delivery allows for a constant rate of drug administration and prolonged action, which can be beneficial to elderly patients who are often polymedicated. Several studies have compared dermatopharmacokinetics in the young and elderly with conflicting results. Despite the potential limitations of age-related changes in skin factors and cutaneous metabolism, marketed transdermal products generally do not report age-related differences in pharmacokinetics. This overview discusses the current data, summarizes marketed product findings and highlights the importance of further studies to evaluate age-related dermatopharmacokinetics.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aging
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Humans
  • Permeability
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / administration & dosage*
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / metabolism
  • Skin / metabolism
  • Skin Absorption*
  • Transdermal Patch

Substances

  • Pharmaceutical Preparations