Microneedle drug delivery system-Overview

Abstract

Transdermal patches offer a convenient way to administer drugs without the drawbacks of injections and oral dosage forms. However, the stratum corneum allows only low molecular weight drugs to diffuse through and acts as a barrier that limits the penetration of drug substances through the skin. Recently, the use of microneedles for skin permeability has been proposed and shown to dramatically increase transdermal delivery. Microneedles are long and robust enough to penetrate across the barrier, but short enough to prevent nerve stimulation which projections of solid silicon or hollow drug-filled metal needles which are fabricated in several shapes and sizes. With the use of hollow microneedles it allows the delivery of medicines, insulin, proteins, or nanoparticles that would encapsulate a drug or demonstrate the ability to deliver a virus for vaccinations. Microneedle use is simple, painfree, and causes no bleeding, with further advantages of convenient manufacture, distribution, and disposal.