Principles of transdermal drug delivery systems for treatment of Parkinson's disease , Grundlagen der Pflasterapplikation von Wirkstoffen beim Parkinson-Syndrom

For many indications, the application of medication by patch has meanwhile become an established practice. We distinguish between patches with a topical action hot patches, for instance and transdermal patch systems. Transdermal patches are not meant to have a local effect. By release of the active ingredient to the circulation they are designed to produce a systemic effect. Nicotine, estradiol and opiate patches are well-known representatives in this respect. In the treatment of Parkinson's disease, the dopamine agonist rotigotine has been tailored for patch application. This is a thin matrix patch of about 50μ m with a great number of microscopically small reservoirs. A constant therapeutic level is maintained by consistent release, first passage through the liver is circumvented. Patch application is a possible new way to treat Parkinson's disease and supplements the existing therapies.