Effect of Vehicle and Drug Concentration on transdermal delivery of Dihydroergotamine using excised Animal Skin

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Abstract
Dihydroergotamine (DHE) is widely used in the treatment, of migraine as I.M. injection of 1.0 mg/ml. Absorption of DHE averaged 23% when taken orally and the drug is subjected to extensive first-pass effect. The physicochemical and pharmacokinetic characteristics of DHE such as small dose, low M.W. and extensive hepatic metabolism, suggests that this drug is a possible candidate for trans-dermal delivery. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of vehicle and dose variation on the percutaneous absorption of DHE. In-vitro diffusion studies were conducted utilizing improved Franz diffusion cells. The rabbit skin obtained from the dorsal area was employed as a barrier membrane.