Transdermal delivery of vancomycin hydrochloride using hydrogel-forming microarray patches

Background: Vancomycin is one of the most effective antibiotics for the treatment of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-derived infection. For treatment of systemic diseases, it is currently administered via intravenous (IV) injection because it is poorly absorbed when administered orally. However, use of an IV injection may result in bleeding, pain and poor patient compliance. Additionally, IV injection of Vancomycin hydrochloride (VCL) has been associated with toxic shock-like symptoms and skin rash. Therefore, other routes of drug delivery should be investigated to prevent and minimize the undesirable effects of IV injections. Transdermal delivery may be an alternative strategy for delivery of VCL. To facilitate a successful transdermal drug delivery, microarray patches (MAP) was employed for enhancing the drug bioavailability via this route. Hydrogel-forming microarray patches (HFMAP) are micro-structured patches that penetrate the skin and facilitate drug delivery. This work explores MAPs as an alternative delivery mechanism for VCL.