Transdermal delivery of second-generation antipsychotics for management of schizophrenia; disease overview, conventional and nanobased drug delivery systems

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a challenging and common psychotic disorder that greatly affects the quality of life of the affected patients. Patient compliance is among the major obstacles throughout treatment journey arising the necessity to novel drug delivery techniques to maximize clinical outcomes. Transdermal drug delivery of antipsychotics is a reliable alternative to improve medication adherence and decreases multiple dosing thus enhances patient compliance. Second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) have proven more efficiency and efficacy in the management of schizophrenic patients. SGAs are used at lower doses and hence, reduction of unwanted side effects is achieved. This review will focus on the application of nanotechnology in transdermal delivery of second generation antipsychotics for treatment for schizophrenia.