A composition for transdermal administration resulting from an admixture
includes: a therapeutically effective amount of a drug that includes a
parent drug and a prodrug; and and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,
wherein the parent drug and prodrug are individually present in an amount
sufficient for a pharmacological effect. In a preferred embodiment, the
admixture includes: a therapeutically effective amount of a
pharmaceutically active agent that includes a corresponding steroid and a
steroid derivative; and a carrier for the pharmaceutically active agent.
The steroid and the corresponding steroid derivative are present in a
weight ratio of 10:1 to 1:10 steroid: corresponding steroid derivative.
In a preferred embodiment ratio is 6:1 to 1:6. In a preferred embodiment,
the corresponding steroid derivative is a steroid ester. In another
preferred embodiment, the carrier is a polymer that includes a
pressure-sensitive adhesive. In another preferred embodiment, the parent
drug is an ACE inhibitor such as ramipril and the prodrug is an ACE
inhibitor prodrug such as ramipril ethyl and/or methyl ester.