In order to better appreciate the advantages of Transdermal patches, it is best to first understand the “challenges” that one has when taking supplements via tablet or capsules orally. Most supplement companies have products with wonderful formulas. But they must first overcome the “challenges” of oral delivery. Here is a brief recap of those “Challenges”. 

• The supplement is swallowed and makes its way to the stomach.
• In the stomach the capsule, or tablet, disintegrates
• The supplement’s formula components are bathed in extremely powerful digestive acids, where a good portion of the formula components are destroyed.
• What is left of the formula travels to the small intestine, where absorption into the bloodstream slowly takes place.
• First stop is the liver
• The vast majority (probably 95%) of the remaining formula will be metabolized into “inactive” substances that will then be excreted.
• A small amount 5% will retain organic values.

To Sum It Up: Up to 95% of the formula ingredients in oral supplements are being wasted, and in the (Digestive) process putting a hefty burden on your liver.

OK, Lets Talk About Transdermal Patches 

• The first commercially available prescription patch was approved by the U.S. FDA in December 1979.
• A transdermal patch is an adhesive patch that is placed on the skin to deliver a specific formula dose through the skin and into the bloodstream
• An advantage of a transdermal patch delivery over other types of delivery such as oral, topical, intravenous, intramuscular, etc. is that the patch provides a controlled release of the formula directly into the bloodstream.
• The main disadvantage to transdermal delivery systems stems from the fact that the skin is a very effective barrier. Many molecules are too large to pass through the skin without it being modified in some way. Several new technologies have been developed to allow larger molecules to be delivered transdermally.

Popular Transdermal Patch Applications

• Nicotine patch
• Fentanyl for severe pain
• Estrogen patches for hormone therapy
• Nitroglycerin for Angina
• Scopolamine for motion sickness
• Anti-hypertensive
• Anti-depressant
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Vitamin B12
• Testosterone

Transdermal Patch Construction - The main components to a transdermal patch are:

• Liner - Protects the patch during storage. The liner is removed prior to use.
• Formula – Supplement or medication in direct contact with release liner
• Adhesive - Serves to adhere the components of the patch together along with adhering the patch to the skin
• Membrane - Controls the release of the medication or supplement from the reservoir and multi-layer patches
• Backing - Protects the patch from the outer environment

5 – Types Of Transdermal Patches

• Single-layer Drug-in-Adhesive - The adhesive layer of this system also contains the drug. In this type of patch the adhesive layer not only serves to adhere the various layers together, along with the entire system to the skin, but is also responsible for the releasing of the drug. The adhesive layer is surrounded by a temporary liner and a backing.
• Multi-layer Drug-in-Adhesive - The multi-layer drug-in adhesive patch is similar to the single-layer system in that both adhesive layers are also responsible for the releasing of the drug. One of the layers is for immediate release of the drug and other layer is for control release of drug from the reservoir. The multi-layer system is different however that it adds another layer of drug-in-adhesive, usually separated by a membrane (but not in all cases). This patch also has a temporary liner-layer and a permanent backing.
• Reservoir - Unlike the Single-layer and Multi-layer Drug-in-adhesive systems the reservoir transdermal system has a separate drug layer. The drug layer is a liquid compartment containing a drug solution or suspension separated by the adhesive layer. This patch is also backed by the backing layer. In this type of system the rate of release is zero order.
• Matrix - The Matrix system has a drug layer of a semisolid matrix containing a drug solution or suspension. The adhesive layer in this patch surrounds the drug layer partially overlaying it. Also known as a monolithic device.
• Vapor Patch - In this type of patch the adhesive layer not only serves to adhere the various layers together but also to release vapor. The vapor patches are new on the market and they release essential oils for up to 6 hours. The vapor patches release essential oils and are used in cases of decongestion mainly. Other vapor patches on the market are controller vapor patches that improve the quality of sleep. Vapor patches that reduce the quantity of cigarettes that one smokes in a month are also available on the market.