The effect of temperature on the diffusion of lidocaine base

Abstract

The inherent barrier properties of the skin present a major problem for the transdermal delivery of drugs. Due to the selectively permeable nature of the skin compounds need to be relatively lipophilic with a molecular weight below 500 Da for passive permeation (Finnin et al 1999). Temporary application of heat is a non-invasive method that has been shown to increase systemic drug delivery (Ashburn et al 2003). A rise in skin temperature causes an increase in drug diffusivity throughout the vehicle and temporarily alters the barrier properties of the skin, resulting in enhanced diffusion (Akomeah et al 2004). However, little work has been conducted on the effect of membrane temperature on diffusion of a compound with an inverse relationship between solubility and temperature, for example lidocaine. Therefore, the aim of this study was to show that an increased membrane temperature can enhance the diffusion of lidocaine