Two drugs commonly delivered via iontophoresis and their therapeutic targets.

• A. Lidocaine (local analgesia) for local analgesia; Dexamethasone (anti-inflammatory) for tendonitis or bursitis
• B. Dexamethasone (anti-inflammatory) for tendonitis or bursitis; Lidocaine (local analgesia) for local analgesia
• C. Dexamethasone; Lidocaine
• D. Amoxicillin; Acetaminophen

Answer: (B)

Iontophoresis uses a mild electrical current to push charged drug molecules through the skin to reach local tissues. Two drugs commonly used this way are dexamethasone and lidocaine. Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid that reduces local inflammation, making it helpful for conditions like tendonitis or bursitis. Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that provides temporary pain relief at the treated site. So the combination aligns with the goal of iontophoretic therapy: address inflammation and provide analgesia in the same localized area. Other listed drugs aren’t as typically used for this localized musculoskeletal purpose—antibiotics like amoxicillin target infection, and acetaminophen isn’t easily delivered via iontophoresis for local analgesia.