RESUMO
Iontophoresis, or electromotive drug administration, is a process that enhances the delivery of drugs through a biological membrane via the application of low-intensity electrical current. This technology offers several advantages over oral and injection drug delivery. Key advantages of iontophoretic drug delivery include the avoidance of pain and potential for infection associated with needle injection, the ability to control the rate of drug delivery, the ability to programme the drug-delivery profile and the minimisation of local tissue trauma. Research using iontophoresis has shown delivery of a number of drug classes. By controlling the applied electric current one can tailor a dosage regimen with a drug delivery profile specific for an indication and the needs of the patient. Advances in iontophoretic electrode design, microelectronics and methods to optimise iontophoretic drug delivery have improved the ability to safely deliver both older, off-patent drugs, as well as new chemical entities being developed to treat a variety of diseases. In addition to transdermal applications, current research indicates that iontophoresis may prove to be a viable noninvasive drug delivery method for treating conditions that affect the back of the eye.