Development and characterization of a dry reservoir-hydrogel-forming microneedles composite for minimally invasive delivery of cefazolin

•A super swelling hydrogel was synthesised from Gantrez® S-97 and Carbopol® 974P NF crosslinked with PEG 10,000.•Cefazolin loaded dry reservoirs (wafers & tablets) were formulated and characterised.•Hydrogel forming microneedles in tandem with dry reservoir enhanced the permeation of cefazolin across the skin.