Transkarbams as transdermal permeation enhancers: effects of ester position and ammonium carbamate formation.

Transkarbam 12, an ammonium carbamate formed by the reaction of dodecyl 6-aminohexanoate with carbon dioxide, is a highly active, broad-spectrum, nontoxic, and nonirritant transdermal permeation enhancer. It probably acts by a dual mechanism: a part of its activity is associated with the carbamic acid salt and/or its decomposition in the acidic stratum corneum. The ammonium ester thereby released is an active enhancer species as well, and its activity highly depends on the position of the ester group.