Development of a hydrophilic transdermal patch for combined delivery of sumatriptan and metoclopramide in migraine therapy.

Migraine, a prevalent neurological disorder, is known to significantly impact patients' quality of life. The effectiveness of oral medications is often hindered by nausea and vomiting, common migraine symptoms. In this study, a transdermal patch for the co-delivery of sumatriptan succinate and metoclopramide HCl was developed and evaluated, to offer a patient-friendly alternative for migraine management. This study evaluated the impact of chemical enhancers and hydrophilic formulations on drug permeation using dermatomed porcine ear skin. A combination of 25% w/w propylene glycol (PG) and 10% w/w dimethyl isosorbide (DMI) significantly enhanced the permeation of both drugs. Among four hydrophilic patch formulations, a matrix composed of a 1:3 ratio of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) to hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) demonstrated optimal drug delivery. Characterization tests, including coat weight, drug content uniformity, tack testing, and slide crystallization, were performed, all patches exhibited acceptable physical properties, including uniform drug content. The target therapeutic dose, equivalent to 4 mg subcutaneous injection of sumatriptan succinate and 10 mg oral metoclopramide HCL, was achieved within 8 h using a 60 cm2 patch of the optimized formulation. Based on these findings, the developed transdermal patch could serve as a promising alternative for migraine management, potentially improving patient compliance and therapeutic outcomes.