Emulgel based topical delivery system for loratadine

Abstract

The present study was taken up with the objective of formulating emulgels to facilitate topical delivery of loratadine in the treatment of localized skin allergy. It was attempted to prepare the emulgels using three different types of surfactants, i.e. cationic, non-ionic and anionic.   Further, the aim was to compare the formulations for their drug release and stability. Loratadine was incorporated into an o/w system, which was subsequently gellified using Carbopol 940. The resulting emulgels were subject to tests for physical characteristics. Thereafter, ex vivo drug release study, skin irritation test and in vivo test for anti-allergic activity were also carried out.  A considerably higher drug release was recorded from the emulgel formulated with the cationic surfactant, cetrimide. Drug release kinetics were investigated by fitting the drug release data into various models. The drug release from all the formulations was found to follow zero-order kinetics. In addition, the prepared emulgels exhibited satisfactory physical characteristics and good stability. Besides being non-irritant to the skin, they were effective in alleviating symptoms of skin allergy.