Method for electrokinetic delivery of medicaments

Abstract

A portable iontophoresis apparatus for facilitating delivery of medication across the cutaneous membrane into adjacent underlying tissues and blood vessels. The apparatus employs a modular, detachable non-reusable medicament-containing applicator electrode which is adapted to attach to a base assembly. The apparatus is designed to be hand-held and includes a circumferential tactile electrode band on the base assembly which provides electrical connection between the skin of the user's hand and one pole of a bipolar power source housed within the base assembly. The opposing pole of the power source is connected to the applicator electrode. The user's body completes the electrical circuit between the applicator and tactile electrodes. A method for using the device for the treatment of Herpes simplex infection and related viral infections which produce similar cutaneous lesions is presented. The apparatus, when used in accordance with the method described herein, demonstrated >90% treatment efficacy in clinical trials.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to the transdermal electrokinetic mass transfer of medication into a diseased tissue, and, more specifically, to a portable apparatus for the iontophoretic delivery of medication across the skin and incorporation of the medication into diseased tissues and blood vessels adjacent to the delivery site. The apparatus provides a new method for treating and managing diseases presenting cutaneous lesions.

2. Prior Art

Iontophoresis has been employed for several centuries as a means for applying medication locally through a patient's skin and for delivering medicaments to the eyes and ears. The application of an electric field to the skin is known to greatly enhance the skin's permeability to various ionic agents. The use of iontophoretic transdermal delivery techniques has obviated the need for hypodermic injection for many medicaments, thereby eliminating the concomitant problems of trauma, pain and risk of infection to the patient.

Iontophoresis involves the application of an electromotive force to drive or repel oppositely charged ions through the dermal layers into a target tissue. Particularly suitable target tissue include tissues adjacent to the delivery site for localized treatment or tissues remote therefrom in which case the medicament enters into the circulatory system and is transported to a tissue by the blood. Positively charged ions are driven into the skin at an anode while negatively charged ions are driven into the skin at a cathode. Studies have shown increased skin penetration of drugs at anodic or cathodic electrodes regardless of the predominant molecular ionic charge on the drug. This effect is mediated by polarization and osmotic effects.

Regardless of the charge of the medicament to be administered, a iontophoretic delivery device employs two electrodes (an anode and a cathode) in conjunction with the patient's skin to form a closed circuit between one of the electrodes (referred to herein alternatively as a “working” or “application” or “applicator” electrode) which is positioned at the delivered site of drug delivery and a passive or “grounding” electrode affixed to a second site on the skin to enhance the rate of penetration of the medicament into the skin adjacent to the applicator electrode.

Recent interest in the use of iontophoresis for delivering drugs through a patient's skin to a desired treatment site has stimulated a redesign of many of such drugs with concomitant increased efficacy of the drugs when delivered transdermally. As iontophoretic delivery of medicaments become more widely used, the opportunity for a consumer/patient to iontophoretically administer a transdermal dosage of medicaments simply and safely at non-medical or non-professional facilities would be desirable and practical. Similarly, when a consumer/patient travels, it would be desirable to have a personal, easily transportable apparatus available which is operable for the iontophoretic transdermal delivery of a medication packaged in a single dosage applicator. The present invention provides a portable iontophoretic medicament delivery apparatus and a unit-dosage medicament-containing applicator electrode which is disposable and adapted for use with the apparatus for self-administering medicament.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a portable iontophoretic transdermal or transmucoscal medicament delivery apparatus and a unit dosage medicament applicator electrode adapted for use with the apparatus for the self-administration of a unit dose of a medicament into the skin. The apparatus is particularly suited for the localized treatment of herpes infections. Recurrent herpetic infections (fever blisters or herpes labialis) are very common and usually involve the mucocutaneous juncture. The established treatment for recurrent herpetic lesions (oral or genital) has been primarily supportive; including local topical application of anesthesia. Severe cases have been treated with systemic Acyclovir® (Zovirax Burroughs-Wellcome). Some cases the condition is managed with prophylactic long-term dosing administration with a suitable anitviral agent at great expense. Systemic treatment of acute herpetic flare-ups may reduce the normal 10-12 day course of cutaneous symptoms into a 6-8 day episode. Topical treatment of lesions with Acyclovir® has not been as effective as in vitro studies would suggest. A compound which is not presently available to clinicians but has demonstrated significant anti herpetic activity is 5-iodo-2 deoxyuridine (IUDR). Both of those agents have shown limited clinical efficacy when applied topically to the herpetic lesion. It is the present inventor's contention that the limited efficacy of topical administration previously observed is, at least in part, due to the poor skin penetration of these medicaments when applied topically. The present invention provides improved transdermal delivery of these medicaments and demonstrates improved clinical results in the case of Herpes.

Oral Herpes (most commonly Herpes simplex I infection) as well as genital Herpes (usually Herpes Simplex II infection) afflict many people, cause discomfort, shame, and may contribute to more severe and costly illnesses such as cervical cancer, prostate cancer, and perinatal blindness from herpetic conjunctivitis. The present invention discloses a portable, user-friendly transdermal delivery device and a method for using the device with Acyclovir® [ 2 - hydroxyethoxy ( methyl ) guanine (or similar antiviral agent) to greatly benefit these afflicted patients. The present inventor has constructed embodiments of this device and conducted human clinical trials which clearly demonstrate improved therapeutic efficacy using iontophoretically administered antiviral agents when compared to unassisted topical application of the agent.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an iontophoretic medicament delivery apparatus which is portable and operable for self-administration of medicament into the skin of a person.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved iontophoretic transdermal drubdrug delivery apparatus having a medicament-containing application electrode which disperses a single dosage and is disposable and non-reusable.

It is a feature of the present invention that the iontophoretic medicament delivery apparatus is easily maneuverable and operable when hand-held.

It is another feature of the present invention that the iontophoretic medicament delivery apparatus is battery powered and conveniently transported by a person.

It is a further feature of the present invention that the iontophoretic medicament delivery apparatus employs a tactile electrode which is in electrical contact with the skin of a user's hand when the apparatus is held in the user's hand, obviating the need for a separate grounding electrode connector or wire:

It is still another feature of the present invention that the iontophoretic medicament delivery apparatus is adapted to be operable with a disposable medicament containing applicator electrode which applicator electrode includes an absorbent, inert, non-corrosive portion containing a therapeutic agent.

It is yet another feature of the present invention to provide an embodiment of an iontophoretic transdermal delivery device wherein the disposable iontophoretic medicament-containing applicator electrode is adapted for releasable attachment to use with a hand-held base assembly housing a grounding electrode.

It is yet another feature of the present invention that the disposable iontophoretic medicament applicator electrode include indicator means operable for enabling a user to determine when the medicament within the removable applicator electrode has been released in delivery and/or depleted.

It is yet another feature of the present invention that the circuitry employed in the disposable iontophoretic medicament applicator include current limiting means operable for limiting the electrical current flowing between the surface of the applicator and the skin to less than about one milliampere per square centimeters of application electrode skin-contacting surface.

It is another advantage of the present invention that the iontophoretic medicament delivery apparatus employs a disposable application electrode which conducts the electrical current to the tissue through the solution in which the medicament is dissolved.

It is still another advantage of the present invention that the improved disposable iontophoretic medicament applicator is inexpensive, safe to use and greatly increases the therapeutic efficacy of a medicament administered thereby.

The apparatus in accordance with the present invention provides a means for topically administering medicament directly and with high efficiency into a diseased tissue thereby providing a novel method for treating clinical conditions presenting mucocutaneous symptoms and particularly mucocutaneous Herpes Simplex viral eruptions and sequelle associated therewith.

The above objects, features and advantages of the invention are realized by the improved monopolar iontophoretic medicament applicator which is easily transportable. The applicator employs a detachable medicament containing application electrode. The objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed disclosure of the invention, especially when it is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational plan view of the iontophoretic medicament delivery apparatus showing the circumferential tactile ground electrode on the outer surface of the base housing and a disposable iontophoretic application electrode;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the disposable non-reusable iontophoretic application electrode with a portion broken away to view the medicament dose packet;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows, in side elevation, a preferred embodiment of the hand-held iontophoretic transdermal medicament delivery apparatus of the present invention. The apparatus, indicated generally by the numeral 10 , has an elongate base assembly 11 the major portion of which is preferably formed of plastic and shaped to conform to and comfortably fit within a users hand. An applicator electrode module 12 , containing a unit dose of medicament 23 , is releasably attached to a applicator electrode receptacle 14 on the distal end of the base assembly 11 . The application electrode 12 is preferably a “clip-on” type of electrode similar in configuration to an electrocardiogram electrode. In the drawing presented in FIGS. 1 and 2 , electrically conductive elements such as wires and busses are presented as heavy lines. A wire 16 provides electrical connection between the applicator electrode receptacle 14 and wire 18 within the neck 15 of the base assembly 11 . Connecting wire 18 , in turn, provides electrical connection between the wire 16 and the current driver unit 19 housed within the base assembly 11 . A conductive tactile electrode 20 forms a portion of the exterior skin-contacting surface of the base assembly 11 preferably circumferentially enclosing a portion of the base housing or it may be interrupted or discontinuous on the outer surface. The tactile electrode 20 is in electrical communication with the cathode 24 C of battery 24 by means of a buss 17 and conductive urging spring 25 which secures the battery in position within the base assembly 11 . For the self-administration of medicament a user must have skin contact with the tactile electrode 20 for the unit to operate. Current driver 19 underlies the cathodic (ground) tactile electrode 20 and is electrically connected via wire 21 to a voltage multiplier 22 . The voltage multiplier 22 receives low voltage power from the anode 24 a of the battery power source 24 and increases the available voltage for presentation to the application electrode 12 . The battery 24 , a self- contained electrical power source, is preferably a size AA or AAA. Battery 24 is held in place by an electrically conductive biasing spring 25 and ensures that electrical power is available at the application electrode 12 when the user grasps and holds the base housing 11 of the apparatus 10 thereby touching the cathodic tactile electrode 20 . The application electrode 12 and the tactile electrode 20 thus form a closed circuit in series with the user's skin.

When current flows across the user's skin tofrom the application electrode in response to an applied voltage the current promotes and hastens the penetration of the medicament 23 contained in a reservoir 26 within the working electrode 12 into the skin. The polarity of the working electrode 12 is preferably unidirectional to promote the above described penetration without requiring a separate grounding electrode. The working application electrode 12 will be described in greater detail below.

The base assembly 11 of apparatus 10 serves as a housing to the aforesaid components as a handle. The portion of the base assembly 11 , exclusive of the tactile electrode, is preferably made of a plastic such as polyethylene, acrylonitrile, butadiene, styrene or similar durable plastic. The battery portion 24 is connected to a voltage multiplier 22 which steps up the voltage supplied by the battery 24 and applies the stepped up voltage to the current driver 19 . Current driver 19 presents a defined current and voltage output at the application electrode 12 the value of the current, which may be empirically determined being sufficient to drive the medicament through the porous, open-celled material 27 ( FIG. 2 ) within the application electrode interposed between the skin contacting surface 13 and reservoir 26 containing the unit dose medicament and penetrate the patient's skin. The circuitry limits the maximum current available to the application electrode to preferably to less than about one milliampere per two square centimeters of the skin-contacting surface area 13 of the application electrode 12 . However, depending upon working electrode's 12 skin-contacting surface 13 configuration, the current level can vary from about 0.1 to about 1.2 milliamps. Currents ranging between 0.1 ma to 5 ma have been used clinically by the present inventor, but the higher currents caused the user minor discomfort and, with chronic use over time, may produce untoward effects.

FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the iontophoretic medicament-containing application electrode 12 . The application electrode 12 is preferably disposable and non-reusable and is suitable, for example, for transdermally delivering antiviral agents such as Acyclovir® for the treatment of cold sores or genital herpes. The size of the skin-contacting surface 13 of application electrode 12 may vary to accommodate specific clinical applications. The application electrode 12 is detachably housed within a recess within the receptacle 14 which recess presents an electrically conductive interior surface to complete the electrical flow path from the connecting wires 18 and 16 to a conductive element 29 within the application electrode. The electrical current from the current driver 19 is conducted through conductive inner surface of the application electrode receptacle 14 to the electrically conductive element 29 within the applicator electrode which element 29 is in electrical contact with the inner surface of the receptacle in contact therewith to drive the medicament 23 or treatment agent through the open-celled sponge-like like matrix material 27 and through the user's skin (not shown). The medicament or treatment agent 23 is contained within a rupturable polymer reservoir 26 until dispensed during treatment. A slight exertion of pressure or squeezing of the reservoir 26 against reservoir puncture means 28 releases the medicament or treatment agent into an open-celled sponge-like material 27 within the application electrode for iontophoretic delivery into the patient's skin. Medicament 23 release can occur at the time of application or upon peruse compression of the electrode 12 . Application electrode 12 can be advantageously designed to include a stripping portion adapted so that upon removal of the application electrode 12 from the electrode receptacle 14 a protruding stripping portion (not shown) scrapingly strips the conductive coating from the conductive support arm 29 to prevent reuse of the disposable electrode 12 . Application electrode 12 is intentionally packaged with a single dose packet or reservoir 26 of treatment agent or medicament 23 . In addition to the medicament, the reservoir 26 can include a coloring agent, such as iodine, which turns dark blue upon contact with starch in the open-celled material to visibly indicate that the unit dose encapsulation has been used. Other suitable coloring agents can include pH indicators, wet saturation indicators or oxidizable pigments.

The open-celled sponge-like material 27 , i.e., a substrate, surrounding reservoir 26 should be inert to the medicament or treatment agent being employed, as well as being non-corrosive and stable when in contact with the treatment agent. Suitable materials include plastic pads, such as polyethylene, paper or cotton, porous ceramics, open-celled porous polytetrafluoroethylene, polyurethane and other inert plastics, and open-celled silicone rubber, such as may be employed with vertically aligned medicament-containing tubes. A typical medicament that can be contained within the rupturable polymer reservoir 26 is xylocaine or similar topical anesthetic. The disposable electrode 12 possesses the advantages of preventing leaching or migration of the medicament from within the rupturable polymer reservoir, no attendant loss of efficacy, a long shelf life and little or no electrode corrosion. A suitable electrical control circuit for use in the iontophoretic medicament delivery apparatus 12 is shown in U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 07/579,799, filed Sep. 10, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,316 and hereby specifically incorporated by reference herein in pertinent part.

Experimental Clinical Trials

The inventor has conducted a clinical study using a prototype iontophoretic device in accordance with the present invention for the treatment of cold sores. The clinical response was promising. A second independent, qualified investigator, a board-certified Urologist, conducted a study using the present apparatus and method for treating male genital herpes lesions with encouraging results. Table 1 summarizes data (discussed below) supporting the claim to unexpected clinical benefits treating disease with this novel method. The method and medicament application device when used together for treating these common, embarrassing, and previously not easily-treatable ailments provide surprising advantages.

The embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1 and described hereinabove is a improvement over the prototype used in the clinical study, which was a larger unit, not user friendly, which required physically connecting wires to the patient's body which created anxiety, and could not be used without attending personnel. Notwithstanding design, the apparatus used in the clinical study summarized in Table 1 employed electronics similar to the apparatus described herein and was used to optimize the clinical performance of the embodiment 12 of the device described herein.

TABLE 1
STAGE I TREATMENT RESULTS
	RESPONSE	IUDR	ACYCLOVIR ®	TOTALS
	No response	1	1	2
	Some response	1	3	4
	Major response	26	42	68

The study included a control situation wherein seven patients were found who had simultaneous concurrent herpes lesions at separate locations on their bodies. In each case one lesion was treated with iontophoretic application of antiviral agent (Acyclovir® or IUDR) and the other lesion was treated in the standard method employed in the prior art comprising repeated topical application of the same antiviral agent. The iontophoretically enhanced treated lesion received a single 10-15 minute treatment. All iontophoretically treated lesions demonstrated resolution in 24 hours and none of the unassisted topically treated lesions demonstrated a similar response. The results for the control group are summarized in Table 2.

TABLE 2
CONTROL GROUP RESULTS
	No response	Some resp.	Major resp.
IUDR
Treated lesion	0	0	7
Control lesion	5	2	0
ACYCLOVIR ®
Treated lesion	0	0	1
Control lesion	1	0	0

The clinical studies included patient volunteers with full informed consent who suffered from recurrent cold sores. The study demonstrated greatest treatment efficacy if the herpes lesion received iontophoretic treatment within 36 hours of lesion onset. The treatment incorporated an electrode saturated with Acyclovir® ointment (ZOVIRAX®) or IUDR (STOXIL®) ophthalmic drops as supplied by the manufacturer. Thus mounted Anodic electrode of the prototype system was used for a 10-15 minute application directly to the lesion with the average current setting of 0.2 ma-0.6 ma which was well tolerated by all patients.

The lesion was evaluated in 24 hours. In 92% of the iontophoretically treated cases (>70 lesions treated) a major response was noted. A major response was categorized by resolution of pain in <6 hours and lesion crusted and healing within 24 hours. The normal course of cold sores involves an average period of 10-12 days before resolution and healing occurs. The present apparatus and clinical method for treatment of mucocutaneous Herpes Simplex (type I and Type II) eruptions presented herein have been described and performed with excellent results. This novel user friendly apparatus in combination with the disclosed clinical treatment method presents a very effective new treatment for Herpes Simplex eruptions.

While the invention has been described above with references to specific embodiments thereof, it is apparent that many changes, modifications and variations in the materials, arrangements of parts and steps can be made without departing from the inventive concept disclosed herein. For example, an impregnated conductive gel can also be used to as medicament containing medium to increase the physical stability and the tissue adhering characteristics of the electrode. Accordingly, the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims is intended to embrace all such changes, modifications and variations that may occur to one of skill in the art upon a reading of the disclosure. All patent applications, patents and other publication cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Claims

1. A method for treating mucocutaneous Herpes Type I and Type II infections present mucocutaneous lesion comprising the iontophoretic transdermal delivery of a [2-hydroxyethoxy(methyl)]guanine into tissue overlying said lesion.

2. A method for treating Herpes conditions in accordance with claim 1 for clinical conditions suspected to be caused by Herpes Simplex virus infection.

3. A method for treating lesions associated with cold sores and genital herpes comprising the dispensation, application and transdermal self-application of an active antiviral agent contained within a hand-held iontophoretic device to said lesions wherein said antiviral agent is 5-iodo-2-deoxyuridine or derivatives thereof.

4. A method of treating Herpes Type I and Type II infection in an individual by self-administration of an anti-viral agent, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a portable hand-held electrokinetic device having an applicator electrode in electrical communication with a self-contained electrical power source housed within the device, said applicator electrode including an electrokinetically transportable anti-viral agent comprising 9-[2-hydroxyethoxy(methyl)]guanine effective for treating Herpes Type I and Type II infection, a contact surface, and a substrate having a reservoir containing said anti-viral agent; (b) rupturing the reservoir to supply the anti-viral agent to the substrate; (c) while holding the device, manipulating the device to place the contact surface of the applicator electrode into overlying relation with an individual's infection site with the anti-viral agent in the substrate interposed between said applicator electrode and the infection site enabling electrical contact between the applicator electrode and the infection site; (d) applying from said electrical power source a voltage gradient between the applicator electrode and the infection site to establish electrical contact therebetween by completing an electrical circuit with said power source through the individual's hand holding the device, the infection site, the anti-viral agent and the applicator electrode, whereby said anti-viral agent is electrokinetically motivated from the substrate into the infection site; and (e) while holding the device in overlying relation with the infection site, providing the electrical contact between the applicator electrode and the infection site until a therapeutically effective dose of said anti-viral agent has been electrokinetically transported into said infection site.

5. The method of claim 4 including, after use, removing the applicator electrode from the device and replacing the used applicator electrode on the device with a replacement applicator electrode.

6. The method of claim 4, including preventing reuse of the applicator electrode after a one-time use thereof.

7. The method of claim 4 including indicating usage of the applicator electrode.

8. The method of claim 4 including providing a tactile electrode on said device for contact by the individual's hand holding the device, said tactile electrode being in electrical contact with said power source, the step of completing the electrical circuit including contacting the device with a portion of the individual's hand to provide electrical contact between the tactile electrode and the individual's hand holding the device.

9. A method according to claim 4 including providing a voltage multiplier within said device in electrical contact with said power source for stepping up the voltage supplied said applicator electrode.

10. A method according to claim 9 including providing a current driver within said device in electrical contact with said voltage multiplier and said applicator electrode for presenting a voltage output sufficient to maintain a defined current at said applicator electrode and incrementally increasing the level of the current at the start of the treatment to a predetermined controlled current level.

11. A method according to claim 4 including providing said hand-held device with a prepackaged unit dose of said anti-viral agent.

12. A method according to claim 4 wherein the method includes treating clinical conditions suspected to be caused by Herpes Simplex virus infection.

13. A method according to claim 4 including forming said rupturable reservoir of a material inert to said anti-viral agent.

14. A method of treatment by electrokinetic self-application of a medicament into a treatment site for an individual comprising the steps of: (a) providing a portable hand-held electrokinetic device having an applicator electrode and a ground electrode in electrical communication with a self-contained electrical power source housed within the device, said applicator electrode including a prepackaged unit dose of an electrokinetically transportable medicament, a reservoir containing the medicament, a contact surface and a substrate; (b) rupturing the reservoir to supply the medicament to the substrate; (c) placing the contact surface of the applicator electrode into electrical contact with the individual's treatment site and placing the ground electrode into electrical contact with another site on the individual's body; (d) causing electrical current to flow through said applicator electrode, the medicament in the substrate interposed between the applicator electrode and the treatment site, the treatment site, and the ground electrode by way of the individual's treatment site and said another site for electrokinetically motivating said medicament from the substrate into the individual's treatment site by the flow of electrical current from said self-contained power source; and (e) maintaining said electrical current flow until a therapeutically effective dose of said medicament has been transported into the individual's treatment site.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein said prepackaged unit dose of said medicament comprises 5-iodo-2-deoxyuridine.

16. A method according to claim 14 wherein said prepackaged unit dose of said medicament comprises 9-[2-hydroxyethoxy(methyl)]guanine.

17. A method according to claim 14 including providing a tactile electrode on said device for contact by a portion of the individual's hand holding the device and in electrical contact with said power source, the step of completing the electrical circuit including grasping the device to provide electrical contact between the tactile electrode and the portion of the individual's hand holding the device.

18. A method according to claim 14, including, after use, removing the applicator electrode from the handpiece and replacing the used applicator electrode on the device with a replacement applicator electrode.

19. A method according to claim 14, including preventing reuse of the applicator electrode after a one-time use thereof.

20. A method according to claim 14 including maintaining an electrical current output level at the applicator electrode between 0.1 and 5 milliampere per square centimeter of said applicator electrode.

21. A method according to claim 14 including maintaining an electrical current output level at the applicator electrode between 0.1 and 1.2 milliampere per square centimeter of said applicator electrode.

22. A method according to claim 14 including incrementally increasing the level of current at the start of the treatment to a predetermined controlled current level.

23. A method according to claim 14 including incrementally increasing the level of current at the start of the treatment to a predetermined controlled current level and gradually terminating the electrical current to the electrode at the end of the treatment.

24. A method according to claim 14 wherein said medicament comprises an anesthetic.

25. A method according to claim 24 wherein said anesthetic comprises xylocaine.

26. A method according to claim 14 including applying steps (a)-(e) for treating clinical conditions suspected to be caused by Herpes Simplex virus infection.

27. A method of treatment by electrokinetic self-application of a medicament into a treatment site for an individual comprising the steps of: (a) providing a portable hand-held electrokinetic device having an applicator electrode and a ground electrode in electrical communication with a self-contained electrical power source housed within the device, said applicator electrode including an electrokinetically transportable medicament and a contact surface; (b) placing the contact surface of the applicator electrode into electrical contact with the individual's treatment site and placing the ground electrode into electrical contact with another site on the individual's body; (c) causing electrical current to flow through said applicator electrode, the medicament interposed between the applicator electrode and the treatment site, the treatment site, and the ground electrode by way of the individual's treatment site and said another site for electrokinetically motivating said medicament into the individual's treatment site by the flow of electrical current from said self-contained power source; (d) maintaining said electrical current flow until a therapeutically effective dose of said medicament has been transported into the individual's treatment site; and (e) providing said applicator electrode with a substrate comprising a porous matrix and a rupturable reservoir formed of a material inert to said medicament and containing a unit dose of said medicament, and, after rupturing the reservoir, electrokinetically driving the medicament through the porous substrate into the individual's treatment site.

28. A method of treatment by electrokinetic self-application of a medicament into a treatment site for an individual comprising the steps of: (a) providing a portable hand-held electrokinetic device having an applicator electrode and a ground electrode in electrical communication with a self-contained electrical power source housed within the device, said applicator electrode including an electrokinetically transportable medicament and a contact surface; (b) placing the contact surface of the applicator electrode into electrical contact with the individual's treatment site and placing the ground electrode into electrical contact with another site on the individual's body; (c) causing electrical current to flow through said applicator electrode, the medicament interposed between the applicator electrode and the treatment site, the treatment site, and the ground electrode by way of the individual's treatment site and said another site for electrokinetically motivating said medicament into the individual's treatment site by the flow of electrical current from said self-contained power source; (d) maintaining said electrical current flow until a therapeutically effective dose of said medicament has been transported into the individual's treatment site; and (e) preventing reuse of the applicator electrode after a one-time use thereof.

29. A method according to claim 28, wherein said medicament comprises 5-iodo-2-deoxyuridine or derivatives thereof.

30. A method according to claim 28 wherein said medicament comprises 9-[hydroxyethoxy(methyl)]guanine.

31. A method according to claim 28 wherein said medicament comprises an anesthetic.

32. A method according to claim 28 wherein said anesthetic comprises xylocaine.

33. A method according to claim 28 including providing a tactile electrode on said device for contact by a portion of the individual's hand holding the device and in electrical contact with said power source, the step of completing the electrical circuit including grasping the device to provide electrical contact between the tactile electrode and the portion of the individual's hand holding the device.

34. A method according to claim 28, including, after use, removing the applicator electrode from the handpiece and replacing the used applicator electrode on the device with a replacement applicator electrode.

35. A method according to claim 28 wherein said applicator electrode includes a substrate and a reservoir containing the medicament and including the step of rupturing the reservoir to supply medicament to the substrate and from the substrate through the contact surface into the individual's treatment site.

36. A method according to claim 35 wherein said substrate comprises a porous matrix and including forming said rupturable reservoir of a material inert to said medicament and, after rupturing the reservoir, electrokinetically driving the medicament through the porous substrate into the individual's treatment site.

37. A method according to claim 28 including maintaining an electrical current output level at the applicator electrode between 0.1 to 5 milliampere per square centimeter of said applicator electrode.

38. A method according to claim 28 including maintaining an electrical current output level at the applicator electrode between 0.1 and 1.2 milliampere per square centimeter of said applicator electrode.

39. A method according to claim 28 including incrementally increasing the level of current at the start of the treatment to a predetermined controlled current level.

40. A method according to claim 28 including incrementally increasing the level of current at the start of the treatment to a predetermined controlled current level and gradually terminating the electrical current to the electrode at the end of the treatment.

41. A method according to claim 28 for treating clinical conditions suspected to be caused by Herpes Simplex virus infection.

42. A method according to claim 28 including providing the applicator electrode with a prepackaged unit dose of medicament, and releasing the unit dose of medicament for electrokinetic transport through the contact surface of the applicator electrode into the treatment site.

43. A method of treatment by electrokinetic self-application of a medicament into a treatment site for an individual comprising the steps of: (a) providing a portable hand-held electrokinetic device having an applicator electrode and a ground electrode in electrical communication with a self-contained electrical power source housed within the device; (b) providing a voltage multiplier within said device in electrical contact with said power source and said applicator electrode for stepping up the voltage supplied said applicator electrode and providing a current driver within said device in electrical contact with said voltage multiplier and said applicator electrode for presenting a voltage output sufficient to maintain a defined current at said applicator electrode; (c) locating the ground electrode on said device for contact by an individual's hand holding the device whereby the ground electrode serves as a tactile electrode; (d) providing said applicator electrode with a prepackaged unit dose of an electrokinetically transportable medicament and a contact surface; (e) while holding the device with the individual's hand in contact with the tactile electrode, placing the contact surface of the applicator electrode into electrical contact with the individual's treatment site; (f) causing electrical current to flow through said applicator electrode, medicament interposed between the applicator electrode and the treatment site, the treatment site, and the tactile electrode by way of the individual's treatment site and the individual's hand holding the device in contact with the tactile electrode for electrokinetically motivating said medicament into the individual's treatment site by the flow of electrical current from said self-contained power source; and (g) maintaining electrical current flow until the unit dose of medicament is at least partially depleted and a therapeutically effective dose of said medicament has been transported into the individual's treatment site, said applicator electrode including a substrate comprised of a porous matrix and a reservoir containing the prepackaged unit dose of medicament and inert to the medicament, including the step of rupturing the reservoir to supply medicament to the substrate and electrokinetically drive the medicament from the substrate through the contact surface into the individual's treatment site.

44. A method of treatment by electrokinetic self-application of a medicament into a treatment site for an individual, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a portable electrokinetic device having a single one-time usage applicator electrode and a ground electrode in electrical communication with a self-contained power source housed within the device; (b) providing a voltage multiplier within said device in electrical contact with said power source and said applicator electrode for stepping up the voltage supplied said applicator electrode and providing a current driver within said device in electrical contact with said voltage multiplier and said applicator electrode for presenting a voltage output sufficient to maintain a defined current at said applicator electrode; (c) providing said applicator electrode with a prepackaged unit dose of an electrokinetically transportable medicament and a contact surface, said applicator electrode including a substrate having a reservoir containing said prepackaged unit dose of the medicament; (d) rupturing the reservoir to supply the medicament to the substrate; (e) locating the ground electrode on said device for contact by a portion of an individual's body whereby the ground electrode serves as a tactile electrode; (f) placing the contact surface of the applicator electrode into electrical contact with the individual's treatment site; (g) while maintaining the ground electrode in electrical contact with the individual's body portion and the contact surface of the applicator electrode in electrical contact with the individual's treatment site, causing electrical current to flow through said applicator electrode, the medicament interposed between the applicator electrode and the treatment site, the treatment site, and the tactile electrode by way of the individual's treatment site and the individual's body portion for electrokinetically motivating said medicament from the substrate into the individual's treatment site by the flow of electrical current from said self-contained power source; and (h) maintaining electrical current flow until the unit dose of medicament is at least partially depleted and a therapeutically effective dose of said medicament has been transported into the individual's treatment site.

45. A method of treatment by electrokinetic self-application of a medicament into a treatment site for an individual, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a portable electrokinetic device having applicator electrode and a ground electrode in electrical communication with a self-contained electrical power source housed within the device; (b) providing a voltage multiplier within said device in electrical contact with said power source and said applicator electrode for stepping up the voltage supplied said applicator electrode and providing a current driver within said device in electrical contact with said voltage multiplier and said applicator electrode for presenting a voltage output sufficient to maintain a defined current at said applicator electrode; (c) providing said applicator electrode with a prepackaged unit dose of an electrokinetically transportable medicament and a contact surface; (d) locating the ground electrode on said device for contact by a portion of an individual's body whereby the ground electrode serves as a tactile electrode; (e) placing the contact surface of the applicator electrode into electrical contact with the individual's treatment site; (f) while maintaining the ground electrode in electrical contact with the individual's body portion and the contact surface of the applicator electrode in electrical contact with the individual's treatment site, causing electrical current to flow through said applicator electrode, the medicament interposed between the applicator electrode and the treatment site, the treatment site, and the tactile electrode by way of the individual's treatment site and the individual's body portion for electrokinetically motivating said medicament into the individual's treatment site by the flow of electrical current from said self-contained power source; and (g) maintaining electrical current flow until the unit dose of medicament is at least partially depleted and a therapeutically effective dose of said medicament has been transported into the individual's treatment site, said substrate comprising a porous matrix and a rupturable reservoir of a material inert to said medicament and including the step of rupturing the reservoir to supply medicament to the substrate, and, after rupturing the reservoir, electrokinetically driving the medicament through the porous substrate into the individual's treatment site.

46. A method of treatment by electrokinetic self-application of a medicament into a treatment site for an individual, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a portable electrokinetic device having an applicator electrode and a ground electrode in electrical communication with a self-contained electrical power source housed within the device; (b) providing a voltage multiplier within said device in electrical contact with said power source and said applicator electrode for stepping up the voltage supplied said applicator electrode and providing a current driver within said device in electrical contact with said voltage multiplier and said applicator electrode for presenting a voltage output sufficient to maintain a defined current at said applicator electrode; (c) providing said applicator electrode with a prepackaged unit dose of an electrokinetically transportable medicament and a contact surface; (d) locating the ground electrode on said device for contact by a portion of an individual's body whereby the ground electrode serves as a tactile electrode; (e) placing the contact surface of the applicator electrode into electrical contact with the individual's treatment site; (f) while maintaining the ground electrode in electrical contact with the individual's body portion and the contact surface of the applicator electrode in electrical contact with the individual's treatment site, causing electrical current to flow through said applicator electrode, the medicament interposed between the applicator electrode and the treatment site, the treatment site, and the tactile electrode by way of the individual's treatment site and the individual's body portion for electrokinetically motivating said medicament into the individual's treatment site by the flow of electrical current from said self-contained power source; (g) incrementally increasing the level of current at the start of the treatment to a predetermined controlled current level; (h) maintaining electrical current flow at said controlled level until the unit dose of medicament is at least partially depleted and a therapeutically effective dose of said medicament has been transported into the individual's treatment site; and (i) preventing reuse of the applicator electrode after a one-time use thereof.

47. A method according to claim 46 including releasing the prepackaged unit dose of medicament for electrokinetic transport through the contact surface of the applicator electrode into the treatment site.

48. A method of treatment by electrokinetic self-application of a medicament into a treatment site for an individual, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a portable electrokinetic device having an applicator electrode and a ground electrode in electrical communication with a self-contained electrical power source housed within the device; (b) providing a voltage multiplier within said device in electrical contact with said power source and said applicator electrode for stepping up the voltage supplied said applicator electrode and providing a current driver within said device in electrical contact with said voltage multiplier and said applicator electrode for presenting a voltage output sufficient to maintain a defined current at said applicator electrode; (c) providing said applicator electrode with a prepackaged unit dose of an electrokinetically transportable medicament and a contact surface; (d) locating the ground electrode on said device for contact by a portion of an individual's body whereby the ground electrode serves as a tactile electrode; (e) placing the contact surface of the applicator into electrical contact with the individual's treatment site; (f) while maintaining the ground electrode in electrical contact with the individual's body portion and the contact surface of the applicator electrode in electrical contact with the individual's treatment site, causing electrical current to flow through said applicator electrode, the medicament interposed between the applicator electrode and the treatment site, the treatment site, and the tactile electrode by way of the individual's treatment site and the individual's body portion for electrokinetically motivating said medicament into the individual's treatment site by the flow of electrical current from said self-contained power source; (g) incrementally increasing the level of current at the start of the treatment to a predetermined controlled current level; (h) maintaining electrical current flow at said controlled level until the unit dose of medicament is at least partially depleted and a therapeutically effective dose of said medicament has been transported into the individual's treatment site; and (i) gradually terminating the electrical current to the electrode at the end of the treatment.

49. A method according to claim 48 including preventing reuse of the applicator electrode after a one-time use thereof.

50. A method according to claim 48 including releasing the prepackaged unit dose of medicament for electrokinetic transport through the contact surface of the applicator electrode into the treatment site.

51. A method of treating Herpes Type I and Type II infection in an individual by self-administration of an anti-viral agent, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a portable hand-held electrokinetic device having an applicator electrode in electrical communication with a self-contained electrical power source housed within the device, said applicator electrode including a contact surface and a reservoir containing a unit dose of an electrokinetically transportable anti-viral agent comprising 9-[2-hydroxyethoxy(methyl)]guanine effective for treating Herpes Type I and Type II infection; (b) releasing the unit dose of the anti-viral agent from the reservoir for electrokinetic transport through the contact surface of the applicator electrode into an individual's infection site; (c) while holding the device, manipulating the device to place the contact surface of the applicator electrode into overlying relation with the individual's infection site to enable electrical contact between the applicator electrode and the infection site; (d) applying from said electrical power source a voltage gradient between the applicator electrode and the infection site to establish electrical contact therebetween by completing an electrical circuit with said power source through the individual's hand holding the device, the infection site, the anti-viral agent and the applicator electrode, whereby said anti-viral agent is electrokinetically motivated into the infection site; (e) incrementally increasing the level of current at the start of the treatment to a predetermined controlled current level; (f) while holding the device in overlying relation with the infection site, providing the electrical contact between the applicator electrode and the infection site until a therapeutically effective dose of said anti-viral agent has been electrokinetically transported into said infection site; and (g) preventing reuse of the applicator electrode after a one-time use thereof.