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Patches Beat Pills Down The Hatch By John Allen, Palm Beach Post-Cox News Service Thursday, November 13, 2003 Being "patched up" by the doctor has taken on a whole new meaning -- transdermal patches are replacing pills as the preferred method of "taking one's medicine." Many doctors and experts see good reasons for the switch. The skin is the largest and most accessible organ of the human body, and patches deliver a steady, controlled dose of medicine, which is absorbed by the skin and goes directly into the bloodstream. "What has made them popular is the convenience," said Joe Cunningham, internal medicine physician for Providence Health Center in central Texas. "It's easier to apply a patch once or twice a week than it is to try and remember to take pills several times a day. As a doctor, I know the patient is receiving a more consistent delivery of medication." Pills can irritate the stomach or cause nausea, but medicine from patches absorbed through the skin bypasses the liver and stomach, causing fewer side effects. Patches first became known for delivering nitroglycerine for chest pain and scopolamine for motion sickness, but now there is a long list of medications delivered through transdermal patches. Cunningham said nicotine patches and patches with blood-pressure drugs are the most popular nowadays, and many more are coming into the market. Patches for birth control, chronic pain, hormone replacement therapy, bladder control and dental pain are some of the uses currently available. Others in development include patches for depression, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a male contraceptive and a Parkinson's disease treatment. In some cases, the patches have been shown to work better than traditional medications. A recent study in The American Journal of Psychiatry showed that many patients using the EmSam patch for depression felt better in one week, compared with the two to four weeks an oral antidepressant usually takes to show results. A study in The Journal of the American Dental Association found that patients reported significantly less pain during deep cleanings with the DentiPatch vs. a gel. The MethyPatch for ADHD will allow parents who don't want their children constantly medicated to control dosages by removing the patch as needed. It is awaiting final approval by the Food and Drug Administration, according to the company's Web site. Ed Ambros, a pharmacist at a Texas Drug Emporium, said that overall he receives positive feedback from his customers who use patches. There are, however, certain guidelines required by some patches that people need to be aware of, he said. For instance, there is a weight restriction for birth-control patches. If a woman is over a certain weight, the hormones administered through the patch might not work, and she would be better-suited to remain on birth-control pills, he said. Another trade-off for the convenience of patches is the cost. "Patches tend to be more expensive than pills because of the technology involved," Ambros said. "The delivery system necessary to make the patch effective can sometimes be costly to develop. Sometimes they have to use a special glue to keep the patch on, and those costs are passed on to the consumer." As for keeping patches on, Ambros said the key is the initial application. The area to which the patch is applied must be clean and dry. Using a little alcohol can help dry the area of the skin's natural oils and help the patch adhere to the skin better, Ambros said. Once the patch is applied properly, he said, wearers shouldn't have to worry about it much. "The patches are designed so that your body heat through the skin actually helps them stick better," he said. "That's why, if you get them on right in the first place, sweat should not make them come off." Some of the negative comments he hears from patch users are skin irritation in the application area, because some people may have an allergic reaction to the glue. Also, some women don't like the aesthetics of the patches, Ambros said, although most patches are concealed beneath clothing. "The technology of patches is continuing to evolve in regards to appearance and size," he said. "They are getting smaller, and some are made transparent so they are not as noticeable." SOURCE: Palm Beach Post http://tinyurl.com/uyty * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn