This was interesting. Others may find it informative.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/can-vitamin-patches-help-you-gain-focus-lose-weight-or-sleep-experts-are-skeptical/2018/09/03/250cdc7c-aa36-11e8-b1da-ff7faa680710_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.2aea76e5bfbc

It's nice to see that we've got a proper clinical study linked in that article that supports patches working.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3976443/

"Our study shows that our formulation of vitamin D3 can safely and effectively be delivered by dermal route reducing the incidence of non-compliance of oral route."

Edited September 14, 20188 yr by Matt Z

I found this interesting and had no idea...

According to the FDA, a dietary supplement is a product that’s intended for ingestion (such as an oral multivitamin), meaning that transdermal patches technically cannot be labeled or marketed as supplements. And unlike new drugs (including medicinal transdermal patches), the FDA does not test supplements (including their transdermal patch equivalent) before they enter the market.- I found

There are more and more studies being done. I would like to see a calcium one myself as that is the vitamin I have the most trouble getting in.

35 minutes ago, KimTriesRNY said:

I found this interesting and had no idea...

According to the FDA, a dietary supplement is a product that’s intended for ingestion (such as an oral multivitamin), meaning that transdermal Patches technically cannot be labeled or marketed as supplements. And unlike new drugs (including medicinal transdermal patches), the FDA does not test supplements (including their transdermal patch equivalent) before they enter the market.- I found

There are more and more studies being done. I would like to see a Calcium one myself as that is the Vitamin I have the most trouble getting in.

Yeah, it's crazy what is and isn't covered or classified and why...

I personally don't use them as I dislike the idea (tried birth control patches in my twenties and hated them). But I also have felt like using them without trials to see that they actually work is taking a real gamble with your health. I'm glad PatchMD's clinical study is having good results, though. That's good news for a lot of people.

3 hours ago, KimTriesRNY said:

I found this interesting and had no idea...

According to the FDA, a dietary supplement is a product that’s intended for ingestion (such as an oral multivitamin), meaning that transdermal Patches technically cannot be labeled or marketed as supplements. And unlike new drugs (including medicinal transdermal patches), the FDA does not test supplements (including their transdermal patch equivalent) before they enter the market.- I found

There are more and more studies being done. I would like to see a Calcium one myself as that is the Vitamin I have the most trouble getting in.

More accurately, vitamin patches ARE drugs. As they have not been properly tested, they are unapproved new drugs. FDA does not generally test new drugs- manufacturers have to test drugs and show they are safe and effective before FDA will approve them. That's part of why new drugs are often very expensive.

Dietary supplements, which are considered a subset of food must be taken by mouth. THEY ARE REGULATED under 21 CFR 111 and have to be safe, but do not have to show efficacy like drugs.

Patch manufacturers are essentially making and marketing an illegal product, I imagine since the risk of harm is comparatively small, they are not a top priority for FDA drug personnel.