TOPICAL TREATMENT OF DIABETES WITH INSULIN AND PENETRANT ENHANCER APPLIED TO THE SKIN AND COVERED BY A PATCH

摘要

A composition, which when applied to the surface of the skin of a diabetic subject is useful for treating diabetes, includes a first layer in contact with the skin surface and a second layer covering the first layer. The first layer contains an effective amount of insulin for treating diabetes, an effective enhancing amount of a penetrant enhancer and a suitable carrier. The second layer comprises a suitable adherent, nonporous patch material. In a preferred embodiment, the first layer is in the form of a gel and includes a suitable gel material. Application of the composition to the surface of a diabetic subject's skin for a sufficient period of time to permit insulin present in the composition to cross the skin provides a method for treating diabetes.