Ibuprofen has always been known as the most common pain reliever out there. This is the go to medication for many people seeking immediate relief from pain. But for some people, swallowing the pill is not easy. Researchers from the University of Warwick collaborated with Medherent, a bioadhesive company, to solve this issue. And voila, they have created an ibuprofen-releasing patch that is capable of giving off a concentrated dose directly through the skin.
A chemist from the University of Warwick named Professor David Haddleton said in a press release that there are a number of commercial Ibuprofen patches that does not have any pain relieving agents at all. All they do is soothe the body with its warming effect on the skin.
Because of today's technology, we are capable of making patches that contain effective doses with active ingredients, such as Ibuprofen which is not present in any patches as of the moment. We can also improve how the drug can be delivered into our body, as well as the stickiness of the patches containing other ingredients to promote comfort to the patients.
Unlike the normal oral ibuprofens that gets dissolved in the stomach and immediately work, the patch gives off a steady flow of pain reliever over a 12 hour period. The researchers conclude that this breakthrough drug will open up new possibilities for over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics that help soothe back and nerve pain, as well as arthritis.
The patch utilizes a polymer technology to stick to the skin for the amount of time it will take to deliver the drug load into the patient's body. The researchers explained that the drug load can be five to ten times higher than the traditional dose in other patches and gels; meaning it outperforms its competition when it comes to drug delivery. Furthermore, they say that the patch can be easily removed without leaving any residue and it is also "aesthetically pleasing."
