Micro-needles for painless drug delivery

Micro-needles are used to deliver the drug through transdermally. They vary in size 20-1500 micron in length and diameter not more than 30 micron.

These serve the purpose of both conventional hypodermic needles and transdermal patches.

Types of micro-needles

• Solid
• Coated
• Dissolving
• Hollow

How micro-needles deliver drugs

●    Poke and patch: in this method micro-needles are inserted into the skin and the drug remains on the skin in the form of patch.

●     Poke and coat : drug is coated on micro-needles and inserted into skin.

●     Biodegradable (poke and release) : biodegradable  micro-needles are released into skin.

●     Hollow (poke and flow): drug is injected through hollow needles.

  You can follow this link to check how drugs are delivered through micro-     needles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNwVvcXLiWc

Advantages

❖  painless

❖  Self administration is possible

❖  No Microbial growth

❖  Biodegradable

❖  Less costly

Disadvantages

v Proper care needed

v Chances of breakage of needles

v Inflammation on site of application

v Skin irritation

Conclusion

Although micro-needles for cosmetic products are available in the market, a lot of research is going on for micro-needles as a future drug delivery system instead of hypodermic needles which is painful and these will also provide sustained release of the drug. 

Author:

Ms. Suman

(Assistant Professor, GeetaInstitute of Pharmacy)