Abstract: The effect of pH on the permeation of Lidocaine hydrochloride (LH) across excised rat skin was studied, the steady state flux (JSS) at different pH being determined using improved Valia-Chien diffusion cells. JSS increased substantially when pH was close to the pKa of LH. The profile of JSS versus pH showed an 'S'-shaped curve. JSS of Lidocaine free base (LFB) was fourteen times that of LH. The pH of vehicle influences the permeation of LH significantly and should be considered as an important factor when a formulation is developed.

Key words: pH, pH, pKa, pKa, Lidocaine, Lidocaine, Permeation, Permeation