NUST Institutions Library Catalogue

Hypertension is the disease associated to high blood pressure, (140/90 mmHg). One billion people
are affected by hypertension globally, and the condition may be responsible for 7.1 million annual
fatalities. Poor patient compliance throughout lifelong administration may be the cause of
difficulties in the treatment of hypertension. About 50% of hypertension patients do not adhere to
their treatment plan, owing to harsh side effects, extensive therapy, and due to lack of memory.
The prescribed treatment for hypertension is the use of antihypertensives. Owing to low oral
bioavailability and poor gastrointestinal absorption of antihypertensives, a transdermal delivery
system is introduced for the sustained release of the drug. Smart patch, comprising of a co-polymer
pH-sensitive dissolvable polymer matrix, designed by combining various approaches. The current
technology also offers an acceptable alternative using an iterative design process using 3D solid
modeling software, followed by 3D bioprinting for the fabrication of prototypes. Six formulations
in two different solvents, DMSO and NaOH were optimized and tested for the evaluation of the
best combination for the preparation of the polymer matrix of the patch. It was concluded based
on physical and chemical analysis that thse CMC-containing matrix proved to be an appropriate
option.