Irontophoresis: transdermal delivery of iron by iontophoresis.

Transdermal delivery of iron can overcome the GI side effects and the discomfort associated with parenteral administration. Slow and prolonged transdermal delivery of iron would also avoid potential oversaturation of transferrin and overcome accumulation of free iron in the systemic circulation. Ferric pyrophosphate (FPP) has been demonstrated to be safe for systemic administration. Passive transdermal delivery of FPP is poor due to the impermeable skin barrier. Irontophoresis was developed for transdermal delivery of FPP. The predictability and programmability of the technique was assessed in vitro across the hairless rat skin. Following Irontophoresis for 6 h in hairless rats, the total serum iron concentration increased from 182.36 +/- 39.93 microg/dL to 317.56 +/- 28.33 microg/dL and the transferrin saturation increased from 44.6% +/- 2.2% to 60.8% +/- 6.7%. Irontophoresis based iron therapy could be relatively more patient compliant, safe and effective treatment for iron deficiency anemia condition. Copyright 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.