Transkarbams (TRANSdermal penetration-enhancing CARBAMates) are a structurally unusual class of compounds that facilitate drug delivery through the skin. These two-chain amphiphiles containing an ammonium carbamate polar head are formed by the reaction of omega-amino acid derivatives (in particular, 6-aminohexanoates) with carbon dioxide.
Transkarbams, e.g., 6-dodecyloxy-6-oxohexylammonium 6-dodecyloxy-6-oxohexylcarbamate (transkarbam 12 or T12), are up to an order of magnitude more active than Azone(R) (N-dodecylazepan-2-one or laurocapram) in enhancing the percutaneous penetration of a broad spectrum of drugs.