What does transdermally mean?
Transdermally is an adverb meaning through or across the skin. It is especially used in medicine and pharmacology to describe substances such as medicines, hormones, or diagnostic agents that are administered by passing through the skin rather than by being swallowed or injected into a muscle or vein. A transdermal patch is a familiar example: its contents move through the skin into the bloodstream, allowing gradual absorption. The word can also describe substances absorbed through the skin from creams, gels, or other preparations. In general use, transdermally has a technical, professional tone and conveys a specific method of delivery rather than merely indicating that something is placed on the skin. It is therefore useful in medical, pharmaceutical, and health-science contexts where the route of administration matters.
adverbThrough the skin, especially by administering a substance across the skin rather than swallowing or injecting it.
- Through or across the skin, especially as a route for administering a drug or other substance.
"The medication can be administered transdermally through a patch."
"The compound is absorbed transdermally through a medicated patch."
"Some medications are delivered transdermally to maintain a steady level in the bloodstream."
Transdermally turns the skin from a boundary into a delivery route.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of transdermally
Transdermally is formed from the adjective transdermal, combining Latin trans-, meaning across or through, with dermal, which comes from Greek derma, meaning skin. Greek words such as dermis, dermatology, and epidermis share this root for skin. The compound entered medical English as terminology for administration across the skin, and the adverb transdermally developed to describe that route of delivery.
Related word forms
How transdermally is actually used
Formal and technical, especially common in medicine, pharmacology, and health-related writing. It specifies a route of administration and is more precise than simply saying that something is applied to the skin.
Easily confused with transdermally
Transdermal is the adjective describing administration through or across the skin, while transdermally is the adverb describing how an action or administration occurs.