Systems and methods for long term transdermal administration

1. A transdermal patch, comprising:

(a) a first backing layer comprised of an elastic material;

(b) an interfacing adhesive layer;

(c) a composite layer comprising a plurality of segments that are at least partially separated, the composite layer comprised of:

(i) a second backing layer, and

(ii) an adhesive active agent layer;

(d) a contact adhesive layer; and

(e) a release liner, wherein the contact adhesive layer is positioned between the adhesive active agent layer of the composite layer and the release liner.

2. The transdermal patch of claim 1 , wherein the composite layer further comprises a tie layer positioned distal to the adhesive active agent layer.

3. The transdermal patch of claim 2 , wherein the tie layer is a rate-controlling membrane that controls the rate of active agent release.

4. The transdermal patch of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of segments of the composite layer are at least partially connected.

5. The transdermal patch of claim 1 , wherein the first backing layer is comprised of an elastic polymer film, a polymer fabric, a multi-directional elastic woven fabric, a multi-directional elastic nonwoven fabric, a stretchable polymer film, a stretchable woven fabric, or a stretchable nonwoven fabric.

6. The transdermal patch of claim 1 , wherein the first backing layer is comprised of one or more polymers selected from polyesters, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyvinylchloride, polyethylene vinyl acetate or copolymers thereof, and polyurethanes.

7. The transdermal patch of claim 1 , wherein the first backing layer has a thickness of about 0.2-50 mil.

8. The transdermal patch of claim 1 , wherein the interfacing adhesive layer is comprised of one or more polymers selected from selected from acrylates, acrylate copolymers, polyisobutylene, silicone, polystyrene butyl rubber, polyethylene vinyl acetate and copolymers thereof, and plasticized polymers.

9. The transdermal patch of claim 1 , wherein the second backing layer of the composite layer is comprised of a material selected from an occlusive material and a breathable material.

10. The transdermal patch of claim 1 , wherein the second backing layer of the composite layer is comprised of one or more polymers selected from polyesters, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polystyrenes, polyvinylchloride, and a polyethylene terephthalate/ethylene vinyl acetate laminate.

11. The transdermal patch of claim 1 , where each segment of the composite layer has a size of about 2-40 cm 2 .

12. The transdermal patch of claim 1 , wherein the interfacing adhesive layer comprises a first adhesive layer adjacent the first backing layer and a second adhesive layer adjacent the second backing layer of the composite layer.

13. The transdermal patch of claim 1 , wherein at least the first backing layer and the release liner are sized to extend about 0.5-1.0 cm beyond the perimeter of the composite layer.

14. The transdermal patch of claim 1 , wherein the release liner is comprised of a material selected from a silicone coated material, a fluorocarbon coated material, and a fluorosilicone coated material.

15. The transdermal patch of claim 1 , wherein at least the first backing layer and the interfacing adhesive layers are laminated.

16. The transdermal patch of claim 1 , wherein the second backing layer and the adhesive active agent layer of the composite layer are laminated.

17. The transdermal patch of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive active agent layer of the composite layer is comprised of an adhesive matrix.

18. A method for transdermally administering an active agent, comprising:

(i) removing a release liner from the transdermal patch of claim 1 ; and

(ii) adhering the transdermal patch to the skin of a patient for a period up to about 10 days to deliver the active agent to said patient.