Abstract: Crosslinked hydrogel-based transdermal pharmaceutical formulations. The hydrogel transdermal formulations. Transdermal patches are useful for administering a variety of drugs to patients. The transdermal patches here employ crosslinked-hydrogels generated through irradiation, thus eliminating any residual effects associated with chemical- or UV-based crosslinking procedures. The transdermal patches may be formed from a variety of high-molecular weight polymeric compounds and include substantial levels of water to improve skin tolerance by the patient. The transdermal patches may also include transcutol as a solvent for the drug, which has been found to increase the effectiveness of drug delivery. The present disclosure also provides for methods of loading a drug into a transdermal formulation after the crosslinking of the hydrogel, thus improving stability and bioavailability through avoiding exposure of the drug to the radiation used in the crosslinking procedure.