Ibuprofen Patch Can Relieve Pain For Up To 12 Hours

Researchers at the University of Warwick have created an ibuprofen patch that is applied directly to where pain is located on your body--providing pain-relief for up to 12 hours, according to a new study.

The transparent, adhesive patch consistently delivers the drug into the patient's skin, which holds as much as 30 percent by weight of ibuprofen, researchers say; this is more than most ibuprofen gels that come in at about 10 percent weight.

"Many commercial patches surprisingly don't contain any pain relief agents at all, they simply soothe the body by a warming effect," said David Haddleton, a research chemist at the University of Warwick, in a news release. "Our technology now means that we can for the first time produce patches that contain effective doses of active ingredients such as ibuprofen for which no patches currently exist. Also, we can improve the drug loading and stickiness of patches containing other active ingredients to improve patient comfort and outcome."

Researchers used a polymer matrix to create the sticky patch that continuously delivers the drug throughout a 12-hour period.

"Our transdermal patch technology expands the range of drugs that can be delivered via skin patches and can significantly increase drug loading capabilities, whilst retaining adhesion and being thin and flexible," said Nigel Davis, Medherant's CEO.

In time, researchers are hopeful that the patches could be used to help treat some chronic conditions, including neuralgia and arthritis.

The patch is expected to be on the market in about 2 years.

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