Iontophoresis Flashcards
Iontophoresis
Delivering medication into tissue with direct electrical current
Stratum corneum
Outermost layer of the epidermis
Medication must pass this layer to take effect
Iontophoresis mechanism
Direct current is used
Charged drug is repelled by electrode with the same charge and pulled toward the electrode with the opposite charge
Electrode placement
Delivery electrode has the medication on it and is positioned on the target area
Dispersive pad is placed over a major muscle at least 4 to 6 inches away from the delivery electrode
Phonophoresis and heat
Can apply heat before phonophoresis to possibly increase skin permeability and increase effectiveness of medication delivery
Don’t apply heat or ultrasound right after because it will increase blood flow and accelerate removal of medication
Phonophoresis and cold
Applying a cold pack will increase blood viscosity and not give patients the full dose of medications
Are higher concentration of medications more effective?
No
Dual medication delivery
If medications are oppositely charged, the medications will be electrostatically attracted to each other
Opposite-charged medication will piggyback into the body
Only one medication should be administered from the treatment electrode
Dosage
Measured in milliamp-minutes
Current amplitude and duration of current flow impact the number of ions transported to the tissue
Usually between 40-80 milliamp-minutes for 10-40 minutes
Current density
Delivers a maximum current of 4 milliamps
Determines if current is safe and comfortable
Based on patient’s tolerance and comfort
Lower levels of current density prevent skin irritation and burning
Indications for iontophoresis
Treat musculoskeletal and inflammatory conditions
Decrease joint pain
Decrease inflammation
Local anesthesia
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Epicondylitis
Ulnar nerve inflammation
Elbow strain/spain
Radiohumeral bursitis
triceps tendonitis
Gleno-humeral bursitis
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
Hand and wrist tendinitis/tenosynovitis
DeQuervain’s Disease
Hyperhydrosis
Phonophoresis administration
Administer every other day
Patient should notice a decrease in pain or symptom after 4-6 treatments and acute inflammation should subside
Continue for 9 to 12 sessions if patient shows continuous improvement
Treatment should be stopped if patient is not getting at least 50% relief
PH factor
Variable affecting skin’s charge and is responsible for discomfort and irritation
If skin irritation occurs, iontophoresis should be discontinued
Precautions
Attraction of positive ions at negative pole may cause alkaline reaction resulting in formation of bases
Acids and bases forming at electrodes may affect ability to deliver a drug due to changes in pH of medicated solution
Alkaline reactions will be more irritating to the skin
Ask if they have any known allergies to food or medications
Accumulation of electrodes under elctrodes may lead to electrochemical skin irritation and burns under the negative electrode
Use lower level of current when treatment electrode is negative
Be aware of possible drug interactinos
Contraindications
Should not be applied over scratches, cuts, or abrasions due to risk for discomfort and burns
Skin sensitivity reactions
