Development and evaluation of transdermal film containing solid lipid nanoparticles of rivastigmine tartrate

Objective: The objective of present investigation was to develop rivastigmine tartrate transdermal film employing factorial design. Methods: The formulations were designed by Design-Expert software-version10. A series of films were prepared by solvent casting method using polymers, plasticizer, permeation enhancer and other solvents. Transdermal films were evaluated for flatness, drug content, tensile strength, in vitro drug release and ex vivo skin permeation study. Results: The flatness was found 100% (percentage) for all film formulations. The drug content of transdermal film was found in the range of 96.51±0.2 to 98.81±0.3%. The tensile strength of transdermal film was found in the range of 6.28±0.06 to 11.56±0.03 N/mm² (newton/millimeter²) and in vitro drug release at 24^th h (hour) was found in the range of 86.24±0.25 to 96.1±0.48% for various formulations and ex vivo skin permeation study results at 24^th h was found in the range of 85.83±0.74 to 97.36±0.93%. Conclusion: These results support the feasibility of developing transdermal film of rivastigmine tartrate for human applications. Thus, transdermal delivery of rivastigmine tartrate film is a safe, painless and cost effective drug delivery system for Alzheimer’s patients.