Iontophoresis

Iontophoresis is the type of transdermal drug delivery,by which we can deliver charged drug molecules through skin in systemic circulation by electrical potential.

Advantages of iontophoresis
Facilitates the transport of charged and highmolecular-weight compounds, which cannot be normally delivered by passive delivery.

Avoids “first-pass” elimination by liver.

Avoids harsh environment present in GIT

Less drug into systemic circulation; decreased side effects.

Potentially greater concentration of drug in the target area.

Effective for drugs with short t1/2

Supervised; maximizes compliance.

Treatment can be terminated when desired

It is a sterile, noninvasive technique

Less pain & anxiety

Delivers medication at a constant rate so that the effective plasma concentration remains within a therapeutic window for an extended period of time

Less drug into systemic circulation; decreased side effects

Can be monitored at pre-programmed rates that may be customized to the patient’s condition

Iontophoresis decreases absorption lag time while increasing delivery rate

The inter- and intrasubject variability is considerably less

Iontophoresis vs Phonophoresis


Both techniques deliver chemicals to biologic tissues

Phonophoresis uses acoustic energy (ultrasound) to drive molecules into tissues

Iontophoresis uses electrical current to transport ions into tissues

Reverse iontophoresis

It is a technique involving the application of a small electrical current, usally less than 0.5 mA/cm2, to the skin to extract analytes (charged and uncharged).

The mechanism of extraction involves either electromigration of charged molecules to the electrode of opposite polarity, or electro-osmosis of neutral molecules to the cathode.

GlucoWatch Biographer (Cygnus, Inc., USA), a device for the continuous monitoring of blood glucose levels in diabetics.