Abstract

A transdermal patch comprising a cross-linked poly(ethylene oxide) (POE) hydrogel loaded with naltrexone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, and an occlusive adhesive tape, wherein the poly(ethylene oxide) hydrogel has a crosslink density of at least 4.5 x 10-4 mol cm-3 and not more than 16 x 10-4 mol cm-3 is provided. The cross-linking agent may be pentaerythritol tetraacrylate. The transdermal patch may further comprise a permeable membrane 10 such that the cross-linked poly(ethylene oxide) hydrogel 5 is sandwiched between the occlusive adhesive tape 1 and the permeable membrane 10. The patch may further comprise a release liner 15. A method for preparing a cross-linked poly(ethylene)oxide hydrogel comprising naltrexone is provided. The transdermal patch for use in treatment of a condition selected from: opioid dependency, alcohol dependency, Crohn’s disease/ ulcerative colitis, chronic fatigue syndrome/ myalgic encephalomyelitis, autism, pruritus, diabetic wounds, HIV/AIDS, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, complex regional pain syndrome, Hailey-Hailey disease, psoriasis, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, cancer, Gulf War illness, depression, chronic arthritis and autoimmune disorders.