Delivery of analgesics through an inhalation route

• US 20060251587A1
• Filed: 06/30/2006
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alexza Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Grupo Ferrer Internacional SA)
• Original Assignee: Alexza Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Grupo Ferrer Internacional SA)
• Inventors: Rabinowitz, Joshua D., Zaffaroni, Alejandro C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,449,174 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/00 Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/137 Arylalkylamines, e.g. amphetamine, epinephrine, salbutamol, ephedrine or methadone
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/138 Aryloxyalkylamines, e.g. propranolol, tamoxifen, phenoxybenzamine atenolol A61K31/165; pindolol A61K31/404; timolol A61K31/5377
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/165 having aromatic rings, e.g. colchicine, atenolol, progabide
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/19 Carboxylic acids, e.g. valproic acid salicylic acid A61K31/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/192 having aromatic groups, e.g. sulindac, 2-aryl-propionic acids, ethacrynic acid cannabinoids A61K31/658
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/195 having an amino group
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/216 of acids having aromatic rings, e.g. benactizyne, clofibrate
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/27 of carbamic or thiocarbamic acids, meprobamate, carbachol, neostigmine
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/404 Indoles, e.g. pindolol
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/405 Indole-alkanecarboxylic acids; Derivatives thereof, e.g. tryptophan, indomethacin
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/407 condensed with other heterocyclic ring systems, e.g. ketorolac, physostigmine
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/4196 1,2,4-Triazoles
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/421 1,3-Oxazoles, e.g. pemoline, trimethadione
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/422 not condensed and containing further heterocyclic rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/423 condensed with carbocyclic rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/437 the heterocyclic ring system containing a five-membered ring having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. indolizine, beta-carboline
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/473 ortho- or peri-condensed with carbocyclic ring systems, e.g. acridines, phenanthridines
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/485 Morphinan derivatives, e.g. morphine, codeine
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/49 Cinchonan derivatives, e.g. quinine
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/495 : having six-membered rings with two or more nitrogen atoms as the only ring heteroatoms, e.g. piperazine or tetrazinesA61K31/48 takes precedence ; with three nitrogen atoms A61K31/53
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/496 : Non-condensed piperazines containing further heterocyclic rings, e.g. rifampin, thiothixene or sparfloxacin
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/4985 : Pyrazines or piperazines ortho- or peri-condensed with heterocyclic ring systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/501 : not condensed and containing further heterocyclic rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/519 : ortho- or peri-condensed with heterocyclic rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/53 : having six-membered rings with three nitrogens as the only ring hetero atoms, e.g. chlorazanil, melamine melarsoprol A61K31/555 ; with four nitrogen atoms A61K31/495
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/551 : having two nitrogen atoms, e.g. dilazep
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/5517 : condensed with five-membered rings having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. imidazobenzodiazepines, triazolam
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 47/54 : the modifying agent being an organic compound
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/007 : Pulmonary tract; Aromatherapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0073 : Sprays or powders for inhalation; Aerolised or nebulised preparations generated by other means than thermal energy; nasal sprays A61K9/0043; inhalation of vapours of volatile or heated drugs, e.g. essential oils or nicotine, A61K9/007; devices A61M
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/12 : Aerosols; Foams A61K9/0043, A61K9/0056, A61K9/006, A61K9/0073 take precedence; spray-films A61K9/7015
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/042 : electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/06 : Inhaling appliances shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 : battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 15/10 : for impotence
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 21/02 : Muscle relaxants, e.g. for tetanus or cramps
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/00 : Drugs for disorders of the nervous system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/06 : Antimigraine agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/08 : Antiepileptics; Anticonvulsants
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/16 : Anti-Parkinson drugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/18 : Antipsychotics, i.e. neuroleptics; Drugs for mania or schizophrenia
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/20 : Hypnotics; Sedatives
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/22 : Anxiolytics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/24 : Antidepressants
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/32 : Alcohol-abuse
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 29/00 : Non-central analgesic, antipyretic or antiinflammatory agents, e.g. antirheumatic agents; Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAID]
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/04 : Antibacterial agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 37/08 : Antiallergic agents antiasthmatic agents A61P11/06; ophthalmic antiallergics A61P27/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 43/00 : Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00
• CPC Class Codes: F24V 30/00 : Apparatus or devices using heat produced by exothermal chemical reactions other than combustion

Abstract

The present invention relates to the delivery of analgesics through an inhalation route. Specifically, it relates to aerosols containing acetaminophen, orphenadrine or tramadol that are used in inhalation therapy. In a method aspect of the present invention, an analgesic is administered to a patient through an inhalation route. The method comprises: a) heating a thin layer of acetaminophen, orphenadrine or tramadol, on a solid support to form a vapor; and, b) passing air through the heated vapor to produce aerosol particles having less than 5% acetaminophen, orphenadrine or tramadol degradation products. In a kit aspect of the present invention, a kit for delivering acetaminophen, orphenadrine or tramadol through an inhalation is provided which comprises: a) a thin coating of an acetaminophen, orphenadrine or tramadol composition and b) a device for dispensing said thin coating as a condensation aerosol.

Claims

1. A composition for delivery of acetaminophen consisting of a condensation aerosol

a) formed by volatilizing a thin layer of acetaminophen on a solid support, having the surface texture of a metal foil, to a temperature sufficient to produce a heated vapor of acetaminophen and condensing the heated vapor of acetaminophen to form condensation aerosol particles,

b) wherein said condensation aerosol particles are characterized by less than 5% acetaminophen degradation products, and

c) the condensation aerosol has an MMAD of less than 3 microns.

2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol particles are formed at a rate of at least 10⁹ particles per second.

3. The composition according to claim 2, wherein the aerosol particles are formed at a rate of at least 10¹⁰ particles per second.

4. A composition for delivery of orphenadrine consisting of a condensation aerosol

a) formed by volatilizing a thin layer of orphenadrine on a solid support, having the surface texture of a metal foil, to a temperature sufficient to produce a heated vapor of orphenadrine and condensing the heated vapor of orphenadrine to form condensation aerosol particles,

b) wherein said condensation aerosol particles are characterized by less than 5% orphenadrine degradation products, and

c) the condensation aerosol has an MMAD of less than 3 microns.

5. The composition according to claim 4, wherein the aerosol particles are formed at a rate of at least 10⁹ particles per second.

6. The composition according to claim 5, wherein the aerosol particles are formed at a rate of at least 10¹⁰ particles per second.

7. A composition for delivery of tramadol consisting of a condensation aerosol

a) formed by volatilizing a thin layer of tramadol on a solid support, having the surface texture of a metal foil, to a temperature sufficient to produce a heated vapor of tramadol and condensing the heated vapor of tramadol to form condensation aerosol particles,

b) wherein said condensation aerosol particles are characterized by less than 5% tramadol degradation products, and

c) the condensation aerosol has an MMAD of less than 3 microns.

8. The composition according to claim 7, wherein the aerosol particles are formed at a rate of at least 10⁹ particles per second.

9. The composition according to claim 8, wherein the aerosol particles are formed at a rate of at least 10¹⁰ particles per second.

10. A method of producing acetaminophen in an aerosol form comprising:

a. heating a thin layer of acetaminophen on a solid support, having the surface texture of a metal foil, to a temperature sufficient to volatilize the acetaminophen to form a heated vapor of the acetaminophen, and

b. during said heating, passing air through the heated vapor to produce aerosol particles of the acetaminophen comprising less than 5% acetaminophen degradation products, and an aerosol having an MMAD of less than 3 microns.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the aerosol particles are formed at a rate of greater than 10⁹ particles per second.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the aerosol particles are formed at a rate of greater than 10¹⁰ particles per second

13. A method of producing orphenadrine in an aerosol form comprising:

a. heating a thin layer of orphenadrine on a solid support, having the surface texture of a metal foil, to a temperature sufficient to volatilize the orphenadrine to form a heated vapor of the orphenadrine, and

b. during said heating, passing air through the heated vapor to produce aerosol particles of the orphenadrine comprising less than 5% orphenadrine degradation products, and an aerosol having an MMAD of less than 3 microns.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the aerosol particles are formed at a rate of greater than 10⁹ particles per second.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the aerosol particles are formed at a rate of greater than 10¹⁰ particles per second.

16. A method of producing tramadol in an aerosol form comprising:

a. heating a thin layer of tramadol on a solid support, having the surface texture of a metal foil, to a temperature sufficient to volatilize the tramadol to form a heated vapor of the tramadol, and

b. during said heating, passing air through the heated vapor to produce aerosol particles of the tramadol comprising less than 5% tramadol degradation products, and an aerosol having an MMAD of less than 3 microns.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the aerosol particles are formed at a rate of greater than 10⁹ particles per second.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the aerosol particles are formed at a rate of greater than 10¹⁰ particles per second.