The key difference between iontophoresis and sonophoresis is that iontophoresis is a drug delivery method that uses voltage gradient on the skin to deliver drugs into the body, while sonophoresis is a drug delivery method that uses ultrasound to deliver drugs into the body.
Drug delivery is a method of targeted delivery and controlled release of important therapeutic drugs or agents. Drugs have been used for many years to improve the general health of people. The efficacy of drugs can be significantly impacted by how it is delivered to the body. Through developing a variety of drug delivery systems, it is now possible to increase the efficacy of the drugs. Moreover, by selecting the best-suited drug delivery mechanism, it is possible to augment the performance of the specific drug inside the body. Iontophoresis and sonophoresis are two popular drug delivery methods used in clinical setups currently.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Iontophoresis
3. What is Sonophoresis
4. Similarities – Iontophoresis and Sonophoresis
5. Iontophoresis vs Sonophoresis in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Iontophoresis vs Sonophoresis
What is Iontophoresis?
Iontophoresis is a drug delivery method that uses voltage gradient on the skin to deliver drugs into the body. It is a process of transdermal drug delivery. In this method, the molecules are transported across the stratum corneum (outermost layer of the epidermis) through electrophoresis and electroosmosis. The advantage of this method is that the electric field also can increase the permeability of the skin. This method constitutes of active transport of drugs due to an applied electric field. Iontophoresis has applications such as experimental, therapeutic, and diagnostic. Generally, the transport of the drug is measured in units of chemical flux.
Figure 01: Iontophoresis
In laboratory experiments, iontophoresis is very useful, especially in neuropharmacology. In the therapeutic industry, iontophoresis is used for electromotive drug administration of medicine and other chemicals through the skin. Iontophoresis is used to treat some types of diseases, such as palmar-plantar hyperhidrosis. Moreover, in research, iontophoresis of acetylcholine is used to test the health of endothelium. It is done by stimulating the endothelium-dependent generation of nitric oxide and subsequent microvascular vasodilation. Furthermore, iontophoresis of pilocarpine medication is used to stimulate sweat secretion as a part of the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis.
What is Sonophoresis?
Sonophoresis is a drug delivery method that uses ultrasound to deliver drugs into the body. In this method, ultrasound is used to increase the absorption of topical compounds into the epidermis, dermis, and skin appendages. The medication or drug normally consists of hydrophilic molecules and macromolecules. The ultrasound waves stimulate micro-vibrations within the skin epidermis. Ultrasound also increases the overall kinetic energy of molecules making up topical agents (drugs). This enables the successful delivery of drugs into the body.
Figure 02: Sonophoresis
Pharmacists make drugs by mixing them with a coupling agent (gel, cream or ointment) for this process. The ultrasonic energy transfers the drug from the ultrasound transducer to the skin. In this technique, the ultrasound enhances drug transport by cavitation, microstreaming, and heating. Moreover, this technology has been found to be effective at low frequencies (less than 100kHz), and it is widely used in hospitals to deliver drugs through the skin.
What are the Similarities Between Iontophoresis and Sonophoresis?
- Iontophoresis and sonophoresis are two popular drug delivery methods used in clinical setups currently.
- Both techniques facilitate drug delivery through the skin.
- These are complementary modalities for drug delivery.
- Both techniques can cause unwanted skin conditions such as pain and irritations.
What is the Difference Between Iontophoresis and Sonophoresis?
Iontophoresis is a drug delivery method that uses voltage gradient on the skin to deliver drugs to the body, while sonophoresis is a drug delivery method that uses ultrasound to deliver drugs into the body. So, this is the key difference between iontophoresis and sonophoresis. Furthermore, iontophoresis transports drugs only across the outermost layer of the epidermis (stratum corneum), while sonophoresis transports drugs across the epidermis, dermis, and skin appendages.
The below infographic presents the differences between iontophoresis and sonophoresis in tabular form for side by side comparison.
Summary – Iontophoresis vs Sonophoresis
Iontophoresis and sonophoresis are two drug delivery methods used in hospital setups. Iontophoresis uses voltage gradient on the skin to deliver drugs into the body, while sonophoresis uses ultrasound to deliver drugs into the body. Thus, this is the key difference between iontophoresis and sonophoresis.
Reference:
1. “Iontophoresis.” DermNet NZ.
2. E, Vranić. “Sonophoresis-Mechanisms and Application.” Bosnian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Iontophoresis device” By Mindfulpersian – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “ATDD Topical Application” By George Lewis Jr. – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) Commons Wikimedia