Transdermal Microneedle Lignocaine Delivery Versus EMLA Patch for Topical Analgesia Before Venepuncture Procedure To Adults in Clinical Setting

Microneedle (MN) is a mimic of a hypodermic needle, composed of hundreds of micron-sized, out-of-plane protrusions, typically arranged in arrays on a patch that can be applied onto the skin. MN can be fabricated from a variety of materials, preferably biocompatible polymers. Maltose, a natural carbohydrate, is a safe and biocompatible product that can be fabricated into MNs that are biodegradable and soluble within several minutes. Besides, local anaesthetic agents such as lignocaine can be impregnated within the MN matrix, facilitating its transdermal delivery more efficiently which results in enhanced efficacy. So far, maltose MN efficacy in enhancing the transdermal drug delivery (TDD) of lignocaine and thus reducing the pain experienced by healthy patients requiring intravenous cannulation prior to routine eye surgeries (phacoemulsification, trabeculectomy etc) has not been extensively studied. Hence, the objectives of this research are: 1) To evaluate the safety profile of lignocaine-embedded microneedle patch as a means of pain reduction in adult patients requiring routine vein-puncturing procedures; 2) To assess the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of lignocaine in the systemic circulation when the transdermal lignocaine delivery is enhanced through microneedle usage; 3) To compare the efficacy of lignocaine-embedded microneedle patch with standard 5% Eutectic Mixture of Local Anesthetics (EMLA) dermal patch for pain reduction during venepuncture procedure based on mean changes in VAS scores and skin algesimeter index (pharmacodynamic (PD) study).

Inclusion Criteria:Patients aged 18 years old and abovePatients requiring venous cannulation for blood investigations before eye surgeryExclusion Criteria:Patient with a previous history of sensitization or allergy to lignocaine.Patient with a previous history of allergy to materials used in the study i.e., plaster, electrodes, maltose, Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)Patient exposed to analgesic usage within 24 hours prior to the procedureGeneralized skin disorder/ rashAgitated/ fretful / uncooperative patientUncommunicative/deaf/mute patientsPatients on hypnotics, or chronic pain relief medicationsPatients with psychiatric conditionsPatients with hepatic impairmentPatients who are on CYP450 3A4, 3A5 or 1A2-inducing or inhibiting drugs (erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, amiodarone etc.) or pharmacotherapeutic agents that affect hepatic blood flow (metoprolol) since both may affect the metabolism of lignocaine