Advances in delivery systems and routes for local anaesthetics

SummaryTo reduce the problem of systemic toxicity of local anaesthetics, new effective delivery systems have been developed. Different routes (such as the transdermal, buccal, intra-articular and intravesical routes) have been explored. Innovative techniques for drug delivery of local anaesthetics continue to evolve. A number of methods have emerged for transcutaneous drug delivery to control the rate of drug penetration across the skin; these include iontophoresis, electroporation and phonophoresis. Nanotechnology-based approaches provide strategies for central nervous system targeted drug delivery. Special vesicular systems (ethosomes, transfersomes and niosomes) produce liposomes that are able to deliver local anaesthetics into the deeper layers and across the skin with better stability and efficiency. This review seeks to document current and future progress in this area.