Azone®: A New Non-Toxic Enhancer of Cu'Taneous Penetration

Abstract

Azonem (1-dodecylazacycloheptan-2-one) enhances the penetration through the skin of a nutnber of drugs. Penetration of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic molecules is enhanced, althouyh more dramatic enhancements are usually seen with hydrophilic drugs. Molecular weights of the drugs considered seems a relatively minor concern, at least in the ranye of MW of less than 1000 daltono. Azone need not be in solution to exert its influence; in fact, good enhancements arc seen when Rzone is employed only as a shaken em117.sion in water. The optimum concentration of Azone varies with both the drug and the formulation being examined, and cannot now be predicted. In general, however, concentrations of 2-10% appear to be appropriate for most formulations.