Penetration enhancers for transdermal delivery of systemic agent

Abstract

This invention relates to a method for administering systemically active agents including therapeutic agents through the skin or mucosal membranes of humans and animals in a transdermal device or formulation comnprising topically administering with said systemic agent an effective amount of a membrane penetration enhancer having the structural formula ##STR1## wherein X represents sulfur, oxygen or 2 hydrogen radicals; Y represents --CH.sub.2 --, --NH-- or oxygen; n and m are integers of from 1 to 3; p is an integer of from 3 to 17; wherein p.gtoreq.9; q is 2, 4, 6 or 8; and R' is selected from the group consisting of H, a lower alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenyl, lower alkyl or halogen substituted phenyl, acetamido, halogen, piperidinyl, lower alkyl or halogen substituted piperidinyl, carbalkoxy, carboxamide, and alkanoyl.