Design and evaluation of a new transdermal formulation containing chlorpheniramine maleate.

The antihistamine chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) is used for symptomatic relief of hypersensitive reactions and in pruritic skin disorders. The objective of the present study was to develop a topical formulation that contained CPM to increase patient compliance. Compliance was increased by exploiting foams that, given their application methods, avoid direct contact with the afflicted area. The study also aimed to optimize the permeability of the CPM by discerning an adequate carrier, as well as choosing the correct enhancer. The foams were formulated using aqueous solutions. In vitro studies were carried out using Franz cells with the formulations, as well as with the available pharmaceutical product Polarmin Crema, which contains CPM. These studies showed that the permeability of the CPM in the solutions is increased more then 100 times with respect to the water-in-oil emulsion Polarmin Crema. In particular, the highest permeability was obtained using limonene as an enhancer.