OBJECTIVE:To study the effects of common percutaneous enhancers on transdermal permeability of cetirizine hydrochloride( CET). METHODS:Using pH 7.4 phosphate buffer as receiving solution,accumulative permeation rate as index,modified Franz diffusion cell was used to investigate the effects of common percutaneous enhancers on transdermal permeability of CET in skin of abdomen isolated from mice,such as azone(0.06%-2.5%),oleic acid(0.5%-10%),1,3-propanediol(0.5%- 10%),propanetriol(0.5%-5%). RESULTS:1,3- propanediol had no improvement effect on the permeability of CET. 24 h accumulative permeation amount of CET in 0.06% azone,0.5% oleic acid and 1% propanetriol were the highest among same types, being 227.94,85.25 and 215.15 μg/cm2,respectively. CONCLUSIONS:Of four percutaneous enhancers,the transdermal enhancing efficiencies from high to low are azone>glycerol>oleic acid>1,3-propanediol. Azone and glycerol have the conspicuous penetration enhancing effects.