RIDOCAINE-CONTAINING APPLICATION AGENT FOR EXTERNAL USE

PURPOSE:To obtain an application agent for external use, containing ridocaine as a pharmacodynamically effective ingredient dispersed or dissolved in a water- soluble polymeric substance and capable of stably and percutaneously absorbing the aforementioned pharmacodynamically effective ingredient for a long period. CONSTITUTION:An application agent for external use is obtained by blending 1-10wt.% ridocaine or its salt (e.g. ridocaine hydrochloride) in a tacky gel base containing 5-25wt.% water-soluble high molecular substance (e.g. gelatin, alginic acid, CMC or PVA), 20-50wt.% water and 10-60wt.% water-holding agent (e.g. glycolic acids or saccharides) as essential ingredients and providing the resultant chemical-holding layer on a support. The aforementioned base can be blended with 0.01-10wt.% super highly water absorbing polymeric substance (e.g. starch- acrylonitrile graft substance) and further, as necessary, an absorption assistant and a surfactant so as to more improve the water-holding properties. Sustained release of the pharmacodynamically effective ingredient for a long period can be carried out by using the above-mentioned application agent and stable pharmacodynamic effects can always be expected. The aforementioned agent is effective in treating zoster neuralgia and neuralgia after the zoster.