transdermal
Meaning of transdermal: Transdermal describes a medication delivery method in which a drug passes through unbroken skin into the bloodstream, often using a patch.
Definition of transdermal
Transdermal describes the delivery of a substance, most often a medication, through unbroken skin and into the bloodstream. This route is commonly achieved using an adhesive patch containing the drug, which is worn on the skin and releases medication gradually over a set period of time.
Because the medication is absorbed continuously through the skin, a transdermal route can provide a steadier level of drug in the bloodstream compared with a dose taken by mouth, and it avoids the digestive breakdown a medication undergoes when swallowed. Transdermal products are used for a variety of medications, including certain pain relievers, hormone therapies, and smoking cessation aids.
The rate at which a medication is absorbed transdermally can be affected by factors such as skin thickness, temperature, and the specific formulation of the patch or product.
Used in a sentence
The patient was switched to a transdermal patch for more consistent pain control.
Good to know
A transdermal patch delivers medication continuously over its wearing period, which differs from an oral dose that produces a peak and decline in drug level after each administration.
Word origin
Where “transdermal” comes from
Formed from trans- (Latin, meaning "across") and dermal, from Greek derma, meaning "skin."