Abstract: Patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease are treated by transdermally administering an effective amount of propentofylline in the form of an occulsive device containing a delivery composition comprising a carrier vehicle having uniformly distributed therein effective amounts of propentofylline and, optionally, a penetration enhancer. The occulsive device may be a matrix type patch in which the carrier vehicle is a pressure sensitive adhesive or a reservoir type patch in which the carrier vehicle is a liquid of controlled viscosity, i.e. a gel, wherein the reservoir system contains means for maintaining it in a propentofylline transferring relationship with the derma when applied. Daily dosages of between about 5 and 49 mg/day are sufficient to maintain adequate plasma propentofylline levels.

Abstract: A device for administering an active agent to the skin or mucosa of an individual comprising a laminated composite of an adhesive overlay, a backing layer underlying the central portion of the adhesive overlay, an active agent-permeable membrane, the backing layer and membrane defining a reservoir that contains a formulation of the active agent, a peel seal disc underlying the active agent-permeable membrane, a heat seal about the periphery of the peel seal disc, the active agent-permeable membrane and the backing layer and a removable release liner underlying the exposed overlay and peel seal disc. The adhesive layer is above and peripheral to the path of the active agent to the skin or mucosa and is protected from degradation by the components of the reservoir by a multiplicity of heat seals. The peel seal disc protects against release of the active agent-containing reservoir and the release liner protects the adhesive from exposure to the environment prior to use.

Abstract: A method for making a transdermal drug delivery device for heat sensitive and volatile drugs is disclosed. The device contains a drug-containing adhesive composite layer having an impermeable backing material laminated to the distal surface thereof and a proximal peelable impermeable backing material adapted for removal for administering a drug to the skin or mucosa laminated to the proximal surface thereof. The method comprising the steps of providing first and second adhesive laminates each comprising a drug permeable adhesive layer having laminated to one surface one of said backing materials and having the opposing surface exposed.

Abstract: A composition and method for enhancing transdermal penetration of a basic drug are described. The composition comprises a matrix patch comprising an effective amount of a basic drug, preferably having a pK.sub.a of about 8.0 or greater, an effective amount of penetration enhancer consisting essentially of triacetin, and a polymer later preferably comprising a pressure-sensitive adhesive. A preferred basic drug is oxybutynin and acid addition salts thereof. The method for enhancing transdermal penetration comprises applying the matrix patch to a selected area of skin.

Abstract: A method of providing testosterone replacement therapy to a woman in need of such therapy comprising applying a testosterone-delivering patch to the skin of said woman which patch transdermally delivers 50 to 500 .mu.g/day of testosterone to the woman.

Abstract: An iontophoresis device comprising a drug reservoir containing the drug in ionic form and in communication with the skin, a skin permeation enhancing agent contained in the reservoir or in a second reservoir also in communication with the skin, an electrode in contact with the drug, another electrode in contact with the skin, a D.C. power source connected to the electrodes and an electrically sensitive membrane interposed between the reservoir and the skin that is impermeable to drug in the absence of a voltage difference between the electrodes and permeable to the drug in the presence of a voltage difference. The skin permeation enhancing agent eliminates the skin as a rate-controlling element, thus making the rate of drug administration dependent upon the membrane permeability, which in turn is controlled electrically.