Illustration of pain relief with a transdermal patch.

The Future of Pain Relief: Transdermal Patches for Diclofenac Sodium

Kai Mendoza in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Could a simple patch offer a better alternative to pills for pain management? New research explores the potential of diclofenac sodium transdermal patches."

For many, pain is a constant companion, impacting daily life and overall well-being. Traditional pain relief often comes in the form of oral medications, but these can have significant drawbacks, including gastrointestinal side effects and the risk of reducing patient compliance. What if there was a better way to deliver pain relief, directly where it's needed?

Transdermal patches, applied directly to the skin, offer a promising alternative. These patches deliver medication in a controlled manner, directly into the bloodstream, potentially bypassing the digestive system and minimizing side effects. This approach is particularly appealing for drugs like diclofenac sodium, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly used to treat pain and inflammation.

Recent research has explored the use of diclofenac sodium patches, utilizing innovative combinations of polymers like chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol, cross-linked with tripolyphosphate sodium, to enhance drug delivery. This article delves into the findings of this research, examining the potential benefits and implications of this transdermal approach for pain management.

How Do Diclofenac Sodium Patches Work?

Illustration of pain relief with a transdermal patch.

The key to a successful transdermal patch lies in its ability to effectively deliver the drug through the skin and into the bloodstream. This involves careful selection of polymers and other ingredients that can facilitate drug permeation. The study focused on patches made with chitosan (Ch) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), cross-linked with tripolyphosphate sodium (TPP).

Here's a breakdown of the components and their roles:

Diclofenac Sodium: The active pain-relieving ingredient.
Chitosan (Ch): A biocompatible polymer known for its non-toxic and antimicrobial properties, enhancing permeability.
Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA): A hydrophilic polymer that increases patch permeability and drug diffusion.
Tripolyphosphate Sodium (TPP): Used to cross-link the polymers, creating a hydrogel with good swelling activity.
Glycerin: A plasticizer that helps control the release rate of the drug from the patch.

The researchers prepared these patches using a solvent evaporation method, carefully controlling the ratios of each component. They then evaluated the patches for various physical characteristics, including weight, thickness, moisture absorption, and drug release rate.

A Promising Future for Pain Management

This research suggests that diclofenac sodium can be effectively delivered through transdermal patches using a cross-linked method, resulting in a better drug release profile. The combination of chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol, and tripolyphosphate sodium appears to enhance drug permeation through the skin.

While further research is needed to optimize these formulations and evaluate their effectiveness in human trials, the findings offer a promising avenue for developing new and improved pain management strategies. Transdermal patches could provide a valuable alternative to oral medications, reducing side effects and improving patient compliance.

As technology advances, we can expect to see even more innovative approaches to transdermal drug delivery, offering targeted and effective pain relief for those who need it most. The future of pain management may very well lie in the power of the patch.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.22159/ajpcr.2018.v11i8.25145, Alternate LINK

Title: Formulation And Evaluation Of In Vitro Transdermal Patch Diclofenac Sodium Using Chitosan Polymer And Polyvinyl Alcohol Cross-Linked Tripolyphosphate Sodium

Subject: Pharmacology (medical)

Journal: Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research

Publisher: Innovare Academic Sciences Pvt Ltd

Authors: Julia Reveny, Sumaiyah Sumaiyah

Published: 2018-08-07

Everything You Need To Know

How exactly do diclofenac sodium patches provide pain relief?

Diclofenac sodium patches work by delivering the active pain-relieving ingredient, diclofenac sodium, directly through the skin into the bloodstream. The patches utilize a combination of polymers like chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol, cross-linked with tripolyphosphate sodium, to enhance drug delivery. This method bypasses the digestive system, reducing potential gastrointestinal side effects and improving patient compliance compared to oral medications. Glycerin is also included in the formulation to control the rate at which diclofenac sodium is released from the patch, ensuring a steady and controlled dosage over time.

Why is chitosan included in diclofenac sodium patches, and what role does it play?

Chitosan (Ch) is a biocompatible polymer included in diclofenac sodium patches because of its non-toxic and antimicrobial properties. Its presence enhances the permeability of the patch, allowing diclofenac sodium to be absorbed more effectively through the skin. Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) a hydrophilic polymer further increases patch permeability and drug diffusion ensuring the diclofenac sodium can move from the patch into the body. Without chitosan, the patch's ability to deliver diclofenac sodium effectively might be compromised.

What is tripolyphosphate sodium's function in diclofenac sodium patches?

Tripolyphosphate sodium (TPP) is used to cross-link the chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol polymers in diclofenac sodium patches. This cross-linking creates a hydrogel structure with good swelling activity, which is essential for controlling the release of diclofenac sodium. The cross-linked hydrogel helps to maintain the structural integrity of the patch while allowing for sustained drug release. The ability of the polymers to swell also aids in the permeation of the diclofenac sodium through the skin, ensuring effective pain relief.

What are the broader implications of using diclofenac sodium patches for pain management, according to the research?

The research suggests that using diclofenac sodium in transdermal patches, with components like chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol, and tripolyphosphate sodium, can provide targeted pain relief while potentially minimizing systemic side effects often associated with oral medications. This localized delivery could lead to improved patient compliance and a better quality of life for individuals managing chronic pain. While the research explores the use of these specific components, future studies could investigate other polymers or enhancers to further improve drug delivery and therapeutic outcomes.

What role does glycerin play in diclofenac sodium patches and why is it important?

Glycerin acts as a plasticizer in diclofenac sodium patches, which means it helps to control the rate at which diclofenac sodium is released from the patch. By carefully managing the drug release rate, glycerin ensures a consistent and prolonged delivery of diclofenac sodium, providing sustained pain relief over the intended application period. This controlled release is crucial for maintaining therapeutic levels of the drug in the bloodstream and avoiding fluctuations that could lead to inconsistent pain management. Without glycerin or a similar plasticizer, the drug release may be too rapid or inconsistent, reducing the patch's effectiveness.