System and method for biphasic transdermal iontophoretic delivery of therapeutic agents for the control of addictive cravings

A system for transdermal iontophoretic delivery of a therapeutic agent to reduce an addictive craving in a patient, the system comprising an electrode assembly and a controller, the system configured to:

• position at least one electrode assembly in electrical communication with a skin of the patient, the at least one electrode assembly including a skin contacting layer and a solution comprising the therapeutic agent, wherein the therapeutic agent passively diffuses into the skin of the patient without application of an external force;
• deliver a dose of the therapeutic agent from the at least one electrode assembly into the skin of the patient during a first period using a first current having a polarity and magnitude to repel the therapeutic agent out of the electrode assembly, wherein delivering a dose of therapeutic agent includes a therapeutic agent delivery profile during the first period configured to mimic a delivery profile from the addictive craving;
• retain the therapeutic agent in the at least one electrode assembly during a second period using a second current having a polarity and magnitude to retain the therapeutic agent in the electrode assembly such that delivery of the therapeutic agent into the skin during the second period is minimized, wherein the first period comprises a delivery period and the second period comprises a non-delivery period, which together comprise a delivery cycle;
• and
• control the delivery cycle, wherein controlling the delivery cycle includes utilizing the controller to deliver or retain the therapeutic agent based on the delivery profile.