Formulation and evaluation of Aceclofenac transdermal gels

Use of NSAIDs by systemic route may invoke the side effects as high dosages are required. By oral administration, the patient may suffer the side effects like gastrointestinal ulceration and intolerance, due to acidic nature of NSAIDs. Also by systemic route drug may be metabolized in liver. So drug loss will take place. Aceclofenac is a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug which is a phenyl acetic acid derivative with effective anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It is a selective COX-2 inhibitor, mainly used for the relief of pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Transdermal drug administration was selected for Aceclofenac to avoid first pass metabolism in liver, to overcome the gastrointestinal irritation as drug is acidic in nature and to localize the drug at the disease site by the transdermal delivery of drug.