What type of delivery method do transdermal patches use?

Transdermal patches deliver medication through the skin, allowing for systemic absorption into the bloodstream. They contain a specific formulation designed to release a drug slowly and continuously over a set period. This method is beneficial because it provides a consistent therapeutic level of the medication, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract and liver, which can metabolize and reduce the effectiveness of some medications.

For example, transdermal patches are often used for hormone therapies, pain management, and smoking cessation, where a steady release of medication is crucial for effective treatment.

Other delivery methods, such as injectable and intravenous, involve directly administering the medication into the body via a needle or catheter, which differs from the gradual absorption characteristics of transdermal systems. Additionally, oral delivery involves taking medication by mouth and relies on digestion and absorption through the gastrointestinal system, which is markedly different from the mechanism of transdermal patches.