Although meloxicam (MX) is relatively safer than other NSAIDs, adverse effects relating to the gastro-intestinal tract are still a problem when administrated MX at high doses and on the long-term treatment. Drug delivery via skin provides an attractive alternative to oral administration, but is limited by the first layer of the skin-stratum corneum. Studies have been focused on developing effective methods to break the barrier of stratum corneum for enhancing delivery of MX to and across the skin. Strategies including formulation optimizing, chemical modification and physical enhancements to transiently reduce stratum corneum barrier function have been introduced. This article reviews the current state of the techniques in the delivery of MX to and across the skin, and it also includes the profiles of pharmacokinetic and safety related with skin delivery of MX.
Keywords: Drug delivery; meloxicam; percutaneous; pharmacokinetics; safety.