Propranolol hydrochloride gel formulation was developed and the in-​vivo percutaneous absorption of the drug was studied and compared with oral absorption using rabbits as animal model.  Drug plasma concns. were detd. using a validated HPLC method of assay.  The gel formulation appeared to produce acceptable sustained blood levels of the drug and the mean residence time (MRT) and the mean absorption time (MAT) were dramatically increased following gel application as compared to the oral soln. administration.  The mean abs. bioavailability (F​%) was found to be 8.8​% for oral administration and 53​% for the transdermal formulation.  These results could be, at least in part, due to the continuous absorption of drag from gel formulation as well as the substantial hepatic first-​pass metab. assocd. with the oral administration of the drug.