Apparatus and method for in vivo delivery of therapeutic agents

An electrode membrane device including:

• (a) an adhesive layer,
• (b) an agent permeable membrane attached to the adhesive layer,
• (c) a first electrode affixed to the agent permeable membrane,
• (d) a therapeutic agent,
• (e) a pharmaceutical composition including one or more non-biologically active substances and the therapeutic agent,
• (f) a casing which forms a reservoir between the agent permeable membrane and the casing where the reservoir contains the pharmaceutical composition, and
• (g) a second electrode affixed to the casing.

A method of in vivo administration of a therapeutic agent including the following steps:

• (a) contacting a device which includes an agent permeable membrane having a pair of contact electrodes to a site of administration such that the agent permeable membrane directly contacts the site of administration, a casing attached to the agent permeable membrane forming a reservoir, a pharmaceutical composition including the therapeutic agent where the pharmaceutical composition is contained in the reservoir, an iontophoretic electrode which is located in the reservoir;
• (b) contacting a counter electrode to a second site;
• (c) applying a first electric signal to the contact electrodes;
• and
• (d) applying a second electric signal to the iontophoretic electrode.