Iontophoresis

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The iontophoresis (including iontophoresis ) is a medical method for the absorption of drugs through the skin using a weak electric direct current .

principle

The corresponding drugs must have an electrical charge or be dissolved in a supporting electrolyte in which they are carried away. Only in this way can they be accelerated in the electrical field and thus cross the skin and then get into the blood or tissue . The medication is usually in the form of an ointment . Because of the very different absorption in patients, iontophoresis is not used very often, mostly in dermatology .

The current intensity can reach about 10-30 mA and, as with the Stangerbad , is slowly raised from 0 to the final value and slowly lowered at the end of the treatment. The maximum voltage that is necessary for the flow of current is around 60 volts . Iontophoresis is operated with direct current or pulsed current (interrupted direct current). The medication is placed under an electrode on damp cellulose paper. Electrically positively charged drugs ( cations ) are placed under the positive electrode, negatively charged drugs ( anions ) under the negative electrode. Cationic drugs are e.g. B. Procaine , anionic drugs are e.g. B. Salicylates .

Tap water iontophoresis can also be carried out in single or multi-cell baths. In the case of a 2-cell bath, for example, both containers are filled with "normal" tap water and the electrodes are immersed. The electrodes are connected to a control unit that regulates the flow of current. If feet or hands are now immersed in the bath (without touching the electrodes), a small current flows through the body.

Applications

  • Typical uses are for topically applied analgesics , e.g. B. for patient-controlled treatment of acute postoperative pain. or anti-rheumatic agents in which the drug is intended to penetrate a joint .
  • It is often used when the skin is prone to perspiration ( hyperhidrosis ). A direct current flows through the affected body part in a water bath. The corresponding procedure is tap water iontophoresis (LWI). The LWI is carried out with direct current or a pulsed direct current (in the 10 kHz range).
  • To treat atrophic skin scars , the active ingredient tretinoin can be introduced into the skin using iontophoresis.
  • To treat cellulite , androstanolone- containing gel can be introduced into the affected subcutaneous connective tissue by means of iontophoresis, among other things.
  • For diagnosing the hereditary disease cystic fibrosis is a sweat test , a pilocarpine -Iontophorese applied.
  • For the microinjection of fluorescent dyes into plant cells or organelles.
  • For measuring metabolites released by iontophoresis .
  • For the treatment of couperose , the outflow of the pent-up blood can be promoted with iontophoresis.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ MG Kumar, S. Lin: Transdermal iontophoresis: impact on skin integrity as evaluated by various methods. In: Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems . Volume 25, Number 4, 2008, pp. 381-401, PMID 18540843 .
  2. ↑ A. Sieg, V. Wascotte: Diagnostic and therapeutic applications of iontophoresis. In: Journal of Drug Targeting . Volume 17, Number 9, November 2009, pp. 690-700, doi : 10.3109 / 10611860903089750 . PMID 19845485 .
  3. ^ R. Rai, CR Srinivas: Iontophoresis in dermatology. In: Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology . Volume 71, Number 4, 2005 Jul-Aug, pp. 236-241, PMID 16394430 .
  4. ↑ N. Dixit, V. Bali, S. Baboota, A. Ahuja, J. Ali: Iontophoresis - an approach for controlled drug delivery: a review. In: Current Drug Delivery . Volume 4, Number 1, January 2007, pp. 1-10, PMID 17269912 .
  5. ↑ T. Ciach, A. Moscicka-Studzinska: Buccal iontophoresis: an opportunity for drug delivery and metabolite monitoring. In: Drug Discovery Today . Volume 16, number 7-8, April 2011, pp. 361-366, doi : 10.1016 / j.drudis.2011.01.012 . PMID 21300173 .