Formation of polymeric films containing supersaturated levonorgestrel contraceptive drug by transdermal metered dose aerosol

Due to the benefits of transdermal sprays, formulation of levonorgestrel as a transdermal metered dose aerosol was studied in this work. Simultaneously, super-saturation was evaluated as an effective method to increase the transfer of active ingredients to the skin. By using anti-nucleant polymers and solvent evaporation after spraying, we could form films containing supersaturated drug after spraying the formulation and inhibiting crystallization. Film formation and visual properties of films were investigated. The kinetics of weight loss and super saturation after film formation was calculated and finally, the rate of drug release from cellulose acetate membrane was assessed. In the formulations containing higher amounts of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and 4 mg of levonorgestrel, 84.31% of drug was released during 4 h. While, in formulation with 2 mg drug, the maximum 95.79% of the drug was released during that time. According to these results, this kind of transdermal metered dose aerosol could be suggested as a suitable form for delivery of levonorgestrel through the skin.