Long acting transdermal films of ramipril for efficient control of hypertension

Background: The present study was designed to develop a suitable matrix type transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) of Ramipril using blends of two different polymeric combinations, hydroxyl propoxy methyl cellulose (HPMC) and ethylcellulose (EC), Three transdermal patch formulations (F1, F2 and F3) consists of Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose E5 and Ethyl cellulose in the ratios of 0:1, 1:1 and 1:3, respectively were prepared. Methods: All formulation carried dibutylpthalate(DBP) as plasticizer and dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) as permeation enhancers in Acetone as a solvent system. The formulations were characterized including uniformity of weight, drug content, moisture content, moisture uptake, flatness, folding endurance and thickness to study the stability of the formulations and in vitro dissolution of the experimental formulations were performed to determine the amount of ramipril present in the patches Drug?excipient interaction studies were carried out using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic technique. The diffusion studies were performed by using modified Franz diffusion cells. Results: The formulation, F1 (Ethyl cellulose alone) showed maximum sustained release with formulation F1 was 99.52% after 48 hrs. Optimized formulations were found to be suitable for formulating in terms of physicochemical characteristics and there was no significant interaction noticed between the drug and polymers used.