IONTOPHORETIC DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM WITH TWO-STAGE DELIVERY PROFILE

摘要

A two-stage iontophoretic drug delivery system provides that iontophoretic current is delivered at a first level (I H) for a first prede- termined interval (T2) to rapidly introduce a therapeutic agent into the bloodstream and thereafter reduced to a second lower level (I L) to maintain a desired steady-state ther- apeutic level of the agent. One embodiment provides that the initial interval is main- tained sufficiently long to provide a peak dosage, thereafter which the current is shut off to allow concentration of the agent to subside in the bloodstream, whereupon a maintenance level of iontophoretic current is initiated. Another embodiment provides that the patient may selectively initiate a brief in- terval of increased iontophoretic current le- vel to attain a brief interval of increased do- sage.