Ion-pair formation combined with a penetration enhancer as a dual strategy to improve the transdermal delivery of meloxicam.

The aim of the study was to develop a novel drug-in-adhesive patch for transdermal delivery of meloxicam (MLX). The formulation involved a strategy to combine a chemical enhancer with an ion-pair agent. Diethylamine (DETA) was selected as the counter ion to form the ion-pair agent MLX-DETA. MLX-DETA was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The ion-pair lifetime (T life) of MLX-DETA was 164.1 μs. The water solubility of MLX-DETA was increased nearly 9.3-fold, compared with that of MLX. Oleic acid (OA) was selected as the chemical enhancer, and the optimized formulation consisted of 5% (w/w) MLX-DETA, 5% (w/w) oleic acid, and DURO-TAK® 87-4098 adhesive as the pressure-sensitive adhesive matrix. The permeation study in vitro showed that both the counter ion and chemical enhancer were effective in improving the skin permeation of MLX. Tissue distribution studies demonstrated that higher accumulation of MLX following application of the MLX-DETA patch to the skin could be obtained in rats compared with the MLX-patch group. In conclusion, to increase the skin absorption and obtain a sustained release for the transdermal delivery of MLX, preparation of a drug-in-adhesive patch by combining an ion pair (MLX-DETA) with a permeation enhancer (OA) is a suitable strategy.