Formulation and characterization of Vancomycin loaded Chitosan- Polyvinyl Alcohol Transdermal Patches

Abstract

Administration of drugs through the transdermal route has been considered one of the safest modes of drug administration due to the lesser side effects. In this study, the controlled release “Transdermal patches” of Vancomycin hydrochloride were prepared using chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol polymers. Chitosan was polymerised with polyvinyl alcohol as it is a non toxic polymer and known for its effective wound healing abilities and by this various Vancomycin hydrochloride loaded patches were prepared in petri plates, giving them a flat cylindrical appearance and were elastic in consistency. The characterization of the gels was carried out by FTIR analysis, calculation of swelling ratio (using different solvents), drug loading and encapsulation studies and drug release calculation. As the antibiotic, Vancomycin hydrochloride shows side effects when administered through the oral or peritoneal route, such as localised irritations, reactions in the gastrointestinal tract and toxicities. Therefore to reduce the toxic effects of Vancomycin hydrochloride, various transdermal patches (F1, F2, F3, F4) were synthesized and characterized. F4 was chosen as best formulation with highest loading capacity, it released 31 % vancomycin hydrochloride in 12 hours. Hence, from this study we can conclude that F4 can be utilized in future as topical antimicrobial formulation.