To investigate the feasibility of developing a new ondansetron transdermal system, the effects of vehicles and penetration enhancers on the in vitro permeation of ondansetron hydrochloride (OS) from a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) matrices across dorsal hairless mouse skin were studied. Vehicles employed in this study consisted of various ratios of propylene glycol monocaprylate (PGMC)-diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (DGME) co-solvents and PGMC-propylene glycol (PG) co-solvents with 3% oleic acid. Duro-Tak 87-2100 and Duro-Tak 87-2196 were used as PSAs. The concentration of DGME in PGMC-DGME co-solvent system affected the release rate; as the concentration of DGME increased, the release rate decreased. The cumulative release amount of OS increased as the ratio of PSA to drug solution decreased. The permeation flux was also primarily affected by the amount of PSAs; as the amount decreased, the permeation flux increased. The overall fluxes from matrix formulations were significantly lower when compared to those obtained from solution formulations. The ratio of PG to PGMC did not affect permeation flux, while the lag time decreased significantly from 5.14 +/- 3.31 to 0.31 +/- 0.12 h as the PG increased from 40% to 60%.