Iontophoresis

Question 1

what is iontophoresis

Answer 1

• uses electrical current tor drive medicine through the skin
• the electrode that contains the medicine is the delivery electrode and the electrode opposite polarity is called the return electrode
• medications of known polarity are put onto the deliver electrode of same polarity so that the like charges repel and the medicine is released into the skin
• the return electrode is typically 8-10cm away to allow current to flow more effectively.

Question 2

What is the dosage?

Answer 2

dosage(mAmin)= current(mA)duration(min)

usually dosage is 40mA*min but can vary between 20-80mA

current is 0.1-4mA

Time is dependent on current

changing the settings to a longer duration and longer amp will make the pt less likely to have skin irritation or burns at the cathode (sodium hydroxide builds up)

Question 3

What are common medications? and what are they for? what are their charges?

Answer 3

dexamethasone-phosphate- commonly used to treat inflammation (negative)

lidocaine- treats inflammation (positive)

acetic acid- used to treat calcific tendonitis and is believed to increase the solubility of calcium deposits (negative)

Question 4

What are contraindications specific to iontophoresis?

Answer 4

known drug allergies to medication being applied

adverse skin allergies to direct current