Description

ABSTRACT
Matrix-type transdermal drug delivery system of fluoxetine was prepared by solvent evaporation technique. Several batches were prepared by using different proportion of ethylcellulose (EC) and polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30 (PVP) as a film former and dibutyl phthalate as a plasticizer. Eucalyptus oil and olive oil in three different concentrations i.e. 2, 5 and 10% were also employed as a natural enhancer to enhance the skin permeation of fluoxetine. All the prepared patches were subjected to physical characterizations (like thickness, weight variation, drug contents, moisture content, moisture uptake and flatness), in vitro drug release studies and in vitro skin permeation studies. All the formulations exhibited satisfactory physicochemical characteristics. In vitro skin permeation study showed that eucalyptus oil was a morepromising enhancer than olive oil. The increases in concentration of eucalyptus oil further enhanced drug permeation with maximum flux being achieved at 10% w/w of 36.70µg/cm2/h. The results of present study suggested that the formulation FE3 containing 10% w/w of eucalyptus oil could be feasible of delivering fluoxetine across skin.

Keywords: Natural enhancer, transdermal patches, fluoxetine, eucalyptus oil, olive oil, flux.