A membrane permeation-controlled transdermal delivery system (MC-TDS) of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN), a model drug, was prepared from polyvinyl alcohol aqueous gel containing the drug, a membrane consisting of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer membrane and acrylic adhesive (EV-a). The permeability of ISDN through the EV-a membrane was 2.5 times higher than that through excised hairless rat skin. The ratio of plasma concentration of ISDN after application of MC-TDS on stripped (damaged) skin relative to intact skin was lower than that after application of Frandol tape-S, a marketed ISDN TDS, which suggests that the EV-a membrane might work as a control membrane for overall delivery rate of ISDN to the body. When MC-TDS stored at 30 degrees C for 13.5-48h was applied to the damaged skin, however, the initial plasma concentration of ISDN was very much higher than the expected therapeutic level and was not controlled by the EV-a membrane. The initial high plasma concentration of ISDN after application of the stored MC-TDS on the damaged skin was due to migration of ISDN from the reservoir to the adhesive during storage at 30 degrees C. The migration of drugs into the adhesive might be an important problem in developing efficient MC-TDS.