A review on long-acting transdermal microneedles as an emerging drug delivery system

Abstract

Over the past 20 years, there has been a growing interest in microneedle (MN)-assisted drug delivery technologies. It is a competitive substitute for conventional hypodermic needles due to its advantages of self-management and low invasiveness. MNs enable regulated and prolonged release by penetrating the stratum corneum and delivering active substances through the cutaneous layer. Long-acting polymeric MNs can improve patient compliance and treatment results by lowering the frequency of administration, especially when managing chronic diseases. Long-acting MNs can also lessen adverse effects and gastrointestinal responses, underscoring their potential therapeutic utility. Recent developments in long-acting polymeric MN design and applications are reviewed in this paper. We also address the challenges of large-scale manufacturing and regulatory considerations for polymeric MN systems, as these factors are crucial for the effective clinical translation of MN products.