Transdermal Patches - Popular Uses

Popular Uses

• The highest selling transdermal patch in the United States is the nicotine patch, which releases nicotine in controlled doses to help with cessation of tobacco smoking. The first commercially available vapour patch to reduce smoking was approved in Europe in 2007.

• Two opioid medications used to provide round-the-clock relief for severe pain are often prescribed in patch form: Fentanyl (marketed as Duragesic) and Buprenorphine (marketed as BuTrans).

• Hormonal patches
  • Estrogen patches are sometimes prescribed to treat menopausal symptoms as well as post-menopausal osteoporosis.
  • contraceptive patch (marketed as Ortho Evra or Evra) and
  • testosterone patches for both men (Androde) and women (Intrinsa).

• Nitroglycerin patches are sometimes prescribed for the treatment of angina in lieu of sublingual pills.

• Transdermal scopolamine is commonly used as a treatment for motion sickness.

• The anti-hypertensive drug Clonidine is available in transdermal patch form under the brand name Catapres-TTS.

• Emsam, a transdermal form of the MAOI selegiline, became the first transdermal delivery agent for an antidepressant approved for use in the U.S. in March 2006.

• Daytrana, the first transdermal delivery agent for the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) drug methylphenidate (otherwise known as Ritalin or Concerta), was approved by the FDA in April 2006.

• Vitamin B12 may also be administered through a transdermal patch. Cyanocobalamin, a highly stable form of vitamin B12, is compatible with transdermal patching.

• Rivastigmine, an Alzheimer's treatment medication, was released in patch form in 2007, under the brand name Exelon