Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (692 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Therapeutic introduction of ions of soluble salts into tissues by means of electric current. In medical literature it is commonly used to indicate the process of increasing the penetration of drugs into surface tissues by the application of electric current. It has nothing to do with ion exchange; air ionization nor phonophoresis, none of which requires current.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Iontophoreses.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Drug Administration Routes; Electrophoresis
Related concepts
- Ion Exchange
- Air Ionization
- Phonophoresis
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 7,667 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Iontophoresis” (counts retrieved 2026-10-29). 297 of them (3.9%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 5,144 records.
Reviews account for 470 records (6.1%) and meta-analyses for 12. Randomized controlled trials number 209 (2.7%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 5,144 |
| 2000-2009 | 1,342 |
| 2010-2019 | 884 |
| 2020 onward | 297 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 470 | 6.1% |
| Meta-analyses | 12 | 0.2% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 209 | 2.7% |
Method: PubMed query "Iontophoresis"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-29.
Reading the evidence in pharmacology
Drug evidence builds in layers: laboratory pharmacology describes how a compound acts, pharmacokinetic studies describe how the body handles it, and randomized trials test whether it helps and what harms it causes. Post-marketing surveillance and observational studies reveal rarer adverse effects but cannot prove causation. This page is educational and is not a recommendation to start, stop or change any medicine; decisions about treatment belong with a qualified clinician.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
A Fully Integrated Closed-Loop System Based on Mesoporous Microneedles-Iontophoresis for Diabetes Treatment [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- A closed-loop system that can mini-invasively track blood glucose and intelligently treat diabetes is in great demand for modern medicine, yet it remains challenging to realize.
- Closing excerpt
- The painless microneedles and wearable design endows this IWCS as a highly promising platform to improve the therapies of diabetic patients.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (178 words)
A closed-loop system that can mini-invasively track blood glucose and intelligently treat diabetes is in great demand for modern medicine, yet it remains challenging to realize. Microneedles technologies have recently emerged as powerful tools for transdermal applications with inherent painlessness and biosafety. In this work, for the first time to the authors' knowledge, a fully integrated wearable closed-loop system (IWCS) based on mini-invasive microneedle platform is developed for in situ diabetic sensing and treatment. The IWCS consists of three connected modules: 1) a mesoporous microneedle-reverse iontophoretic glucose sensor; 2) a flexible printed circuit board as integrated and control; and 3) a microneedle-iontophoretic insulin delivery component. As the key component, mesoporous microneedles enable the painless penetration of stratum corneum, implementing subcutaneous substance exchange. The coupling with iontophoresis significantly enhances glucose extraction and insulin delivery and enables electrical control. This IWCS is demonstrated to accurately monitor glucose fluctuations, and responsively deliver insulin to regulate hyperglycemia in diabetic rat model. The painless microneedles and wearable design endows this IWCS as a highly promising platform to improve the therapies of diabetic patients.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 34081407 · DOI · PMC8373098
Ultrasonically and Iontophoretically Enhanced Drug-Delivery System Based on Dissolving Microneedle Patches [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- A multifunctional system comprised of hyaluronic acid microneedles was developed as an effective transdermal delivery platform for rapid local delivery.
- Closing excerpt
- We anticipate that this system can be extended to macromolecular and dependence delivery, based on drug response time.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (185 words)
A multifunctional system comprised of hyaluronic acid microneedles was developed as an effective transdermal delivery platform for rapid local delivery. The microneedles can regulate the filling amount on the tip, by controlling the concentration of hyaluronic acid solution. Ultrasonication induces dissolution of the HA microneedles via vibration of acoustic pressure, and AC iontophoresis improves the electrostatic force-driven diffusion of HA ions and rhodamine B. The effect of ultrasound on rhodamine release was analyzed in vitro using a gelatin hydrogel. The frequency and voltage dependence of the AC on the ion induction transfer was also evaluated experimentally. The results showed that the permeability of the material acts as a key material property. The delivery system based on ultrasonication and iontophoresis in microneedles increases permeation, thus resulting in shorter initial delivery time than that required by delivery systems based on passive or ultrasonication alone. This study highlights the significance of the combination between ultrasonic waves and iontophoresis for improving the efficiency of the microneedles, by shortening the reaction duration. We anticipate that this system can be extended to macromolecular and dependence delivery, based on drug response time.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 32029808 · DOI · PMC7005184
An integrated Mg battery-powered iontophoresis patch for efficient and controllable transdermal drug delivery [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Wearable transdermal iontophoresis eliminating the need for external power sources offers advantages for patient-comfort when deploying epidermal diseases treatments.
- Closing excerpt
- Considering the advantages of being a reliable and efficient energy supply, simplified configuration, and optimal electrical skin-device interface, this battery-powered iontophoresis may provide a new non-invasive treatment for chronic epidermal diseases.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (182 words)
Wearable transdermal iontophoresis eliminating the need for external power sources offers advantages for patient-comfort when deploying epidermal diseases treatments. However, current self-powered iontophoresis based on energy harvesters is limited to support efficient therapeutic administration over the long-term operation, owing to the low and inconsistent energy supply. Here we propose a simplified wearable iontophoresis patch with a built-in Mg battery for efficient and controllable transdermal delivery. This system decreases the system complexity and form factors by using viologen-based hydrogels as an integrated drug reservoir and cathode material, eliminating the conventional interface impedance between the electrode and drug reservoir. The redox-active polyelectrolyte hydrogel offers a high energy density of 3.57 mWh cm-2, and an optimal bioelectronic interface with ultra-soft nature and low tissue-interface impedance. The delivery dosage can be readily manipulated by tuning the viologen hydrogel and the iontophoresis stimulation mode. This iontophoresis patch demonstrates an effective treatment of an imiquimod-induced psoriasis mouse. Considering the advantages of being a reliable and efficient energy supply, simplified configuration, and optimal electrical skin-device interface, this battery-powered iontophoresis may provide a new non-invasive treatment for chronic epidermal diseases.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 36653362 · DOI · PMC9849227
Short-term efficacy and safety of transcleral lutein iontophoresis in patients with intermediate amd and reticular pseudodrusen: A retrospective study [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundThere is limited data available on the efficacy and safety of Transscleral Lutein Iontophoresis (TSLI) in patients with intermediate age-related macular degeneration (iAMD) and reticular pseudodrusen (RPD).
- Closing excerpt
- 8 at 3 months (ANOVA, p ConclusionTSLI appears to be an effective, safe technique in patients with iAMD and RPD, leading to structural and functional improvements in short-term follow-up.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (147 words)
BackgroundThere is limited data available on the efficacy and safety of Transscleral Lutein Iontophoresis (TSLI) in patients with intermediate age-related macular degeneration (iAMD) and reticular pseudodrusen (RPD).MethodsThis retrospective multicentre study evaluated the functional and morphological outcomes of TSLI in patients with stage 2 and stage 3 iAMD with RPD. Autofluorescence (AF), Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA), Intraocular Pressure (IOP), Macular Sensitivity (MS) and adverse events, were recorded at baseline, 1 month and 3 months follow-up after treatment.ResultsThirty eyes from 30 patients, (15 ♂: 15 ♀), mean age (70.3 ± 7.8 years) were included. BCVA improved significantly, from mean baseline 65.6 ± 8.6 ETDRS letters to 66.9 ± 8.0 at 1 month and 69.1 ± 7.8 at 3 months (ANOVA, p ConclusionTSLI appears to be an effective, safe technique in patients with iAMD and RPD, leading to structural and functional improvements in short-term follow-up.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42498777 · DOI · PMC13675188
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Iontophoretic drug delivery [5]
- Research article Electroporation: a general phenomenon for manipulating cells and tissues [6]
- Research article The role of electroosmotic flow in transdermal iontophoresis [7]
- Research article Iontophoresis: electrorepulsion and electroosmosis [8]
- Research article Iontophoresis: a non-invasive ocular drug delivery [9]
- Research article Current concepts in assessment of microvascular endothelial function using laser Doppler imaging and iontophoresis [10]
References
- Li X, Huang X, Mo J, Wang H, Huang Q, Yang C, et al.. A Fully Integrated Closed-Loop System Based on Mesoporous Microneedles-Iontophoresis for Diabetes Treatment. . 2021. PMID 34081407 · DOI · PMC8373098
- Bok M, Zhao ZJ, Jeon S, Jeong JH, Lim E. Ultrasonically and Iontophoretically Enhanced Drug-Delivery System Based on Dissolving Microneedle Patches. . 2020. PMID 32029808 · DOI · PMC7005184
- Zhou Y, Jia X, Pang D, Jiang S, Zhu M, Lu G, et al.. An integrated Mg battery-powered iontophoresis patch for efficient and controllable transdermal drug delivery. . 2023. PMID 36653362 · DOI · PMC9849227
- Elfalah M, Borelli E, Marolo P, Reibaldi M, De Angelis V, De Rosa C, et al.. Short-term efficacy and safety of transcleral lutein iontophoresis in patients with intermediate amd and reticular pseudodrusen: A retrospective study. . 2026. PMID 42498777 · DOI · PMC13675188
- Kalia YN, Naik A, Garrison J, Guy RH. Iontophoretic drug delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2004. PMID 15019750 · DOI
- Weaver JC. Electroporation: a general phenomenon for manipulating cells and tissues. J Cell Biochem. 1993. PMID 8496245 · DOI
- Pikal MJ. The role of electroosmotic flow in transdermal iontophoresis. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2001. PMID 11259844 · DOI
- Guy RH, Kalia YN, Delgado-Charro MB, Merino V, López A, Marro D. Iontophoresis: electrorepulsion and electroosmosis. J Control Release. 2000. PMID 10640651 · DOI
- Eljarrat-Binstock E, Domb AJ. Iontophoresis: a non-invasive ocular drug delivery. J Control Release. 2006. PMID 16343678 · DOI
- Turner J, Belch JJ, Khan F. Current concepts in assessment of microvascular endothelial function using laser Doppler imaging and iontophoresis. Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2008. PMID 18555183 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-29.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.