Skin penetration and mechanisms of action in the delivery of the D2-agonist rotigotine from surfactant-based elastic vesicle formulations.

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the effect of elastic and rigid vesicles on the penetration of the D2 dopamine agonist rotigotine across human skin and to further elucidate the mechanisms of action of the elastic vesicles.

Methods: A series of rotigotine-loaded vesicles were prepared, ranging from very elastic to very rigid. The drug penetration from these vesicles across human skin was studied in vitro using flow-through diffusion cells.