Lecture #5 (Iontophoresis)

Question 1

What is iontophoresis used for?

Answer 1

Transporting ions through tissues–a noninvasive medication transportation technique. It’s a different route for the medication to travel instead being taken orally.

Question 2

What kind of current does ionto utilize?

Answer 2

Continuous monophasic current (DC)

Question 3

What is the plasma considerations of a drug which falls between a minimum concentration to be effective and a maximum concentration in which adverse reactions can occur?

Answer 3

Therapeutic window (its essentially how much we can put into the body safely).

Question 4

True or False:
Ionto has been show to inhibit a tolerance to the drug used due to the ability to have spikes and sustained release (unlike cortisol injections).

Answer 4

True.

Question 5

How does the ions move in the body during ionto?

Answer 5

After they are introduced into the skin, they body’s own charged ions pick up the electrons and allow the electrical current to flow.

Question 6

What determines the rate at which ions move through tissue?

Answer 6

The strength of the electrical field and the electrical impedance of the tissues to electrical flow.

Question 7

What determines the strength of the ion movement?

Answer 7

The current density.

Question 8

In ionto, which electrode is the drug delivery electrode?

Answer 8

The active one (whether it is positive or negative depends on the medication).

Question 9

What is the primary mode of ion transport into the skin?

Answer 9

Sweat ducts

Question 10

True or false:

The skin impedance will decrease as treatment progresses due to saturation of ions and blood flow.

Answer 10

True: this is why you should never turn up the intensity during an ionto treatment.

Question 11

What is the alkaline reaction that occurs during ionto?

Answer 11

The negatively charged ion will build up under the anode and increase the skin pH. It results in the reddening and softening of the skin, itching, burning, and blister formation over time.

Question 12

What is the acidic reaction that occurs during ionto?

Answer 12

The positvely charged ion builds up under the cathode and decrease the skin pH. It results in hardening of the skin.

Question 13

What two things need to be increased to increase the transport of the medication?

Answer 13

The intensity and duration.

Question 14

What is the useful depth of ionto treatment? How deep is the penetration during treatment? How deep is the penetration 12-24 hours post treatment?

Answer 14

2mm
1-3mm
1.5mm

Question 15

Where does the active (treatment) electrode go?

Answer 15

Right over the area to be treated.

Question 16

Where should the resistive electrode be placed?

Answer 16

At least a distance longer than the diameter of the smallest electrode with the electrical field of the body.

Question 17

In order to decrease burns, which electrode (cathode or anode) should be larger?

Answer 17

The cathode.

Question 18

How is the dosage described for ionto?

Answer 18

mA/min

Question 19

What is the typical intensity allowed during ionto treatments?

Answer 19

Between 1 and 5mA.

Question 20

A lower current (slower delivery of treatment) equals what?

Answer 20

Longer treatment time.

Question 21

What are the going home instructions for ionto? (x4)

Answer 21

Leave the active electrode on unless:

• it falls off on its own
• it is bothering the patient
• take off before patient showers
• take off before going to bed

Question 22

What are the indications of ionto? (x7)

Answer 22

Inflammation, analgesia, muscle spasm, ischemia, edema, calcium deposits, and scar tissue.

Question 23

What are the contraindications of ionto? (x5)

Answer 23

Skin lesions, sensitivity/allergy to drug, sensitivity to adhesives, impaired sensation, or over electric implants.

Question 24

What are precautions of ionto? (x2)

Answer 24

Diabetes mellitus & softening of skin.

Question 25

What is the first thing you should ALWAYS do after an ionto treatment?

Answer 25

CHECK THE SKIN & document findings!