Abstract

Background: Despite the vast utility of polymeric nanocarriers in drug delivery, their promising role in formulating efficient transdermal drug delivery systems for managing various diseases has not been explored properly.

Introduction: Polymeric nanocarriers have increased the interest of researchers with respect to improving intradermal and transdermal delivery of drugs having ominous penetration and solubility issues. Therefore, a range of invasive and noninvasive approaches have been extensively explored in transdermal delivery systems for the safe and effective transportation of drugs across the skin into the systemic circulation. Accordingly, this review emphasizes the recently used, effectively applicable invasive and noninvasive methodologies for formulating transdermal systems in the form of polymeric films/patches, microneedles, and nanocarriers for better penetration and bioavailability.

Conclusion: Various novel methodologies for transdermal drug delivery systems offer countless benefits over conventional methods, but still, a safe and effective delivery system is the major challenge in terms of reproducible pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic results.

Keywords: Bioavailability, methodologies, microneedles, penetration, polymeric nanocarriers, transdermal drug delivery system.

Graphical Abstract