Method of reducing intestinal gas, cramping and anorectal irritation

• US 6,048,901 A
• Filed: 07/07/1999
• Issued: 04/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Braintree Laboratories Incorporated (Sebela International Limited)
• Original Assignee: Braintree Laboratories Incorporated (Sebela International Limited)
• Inventors: Pelham, Russell W., Cleveland, Mark vB.
• Primary Examiner(s): SPIVACK, PHYLLIS G
• Application Number:
  US09/348,376
• Time in Patent Office: 279 Days
• Field of Search: 514/723
• US Class Current: 514/723
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/77 of oxiranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 1/00 Drugs for disorders of the alimentary tract or the digestive system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 1/06 Anti-spasmodics, e.g. drugs for colics, esophagic dyskinesia
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 1/10 Laxatives

Abstract

Intestinal gas, cramping and/or anorectal irritation are treated by oral administration of an effective or sufficient amount of a composition comprising polyethylene glycol, preferably dispersed and/or dissolved in an aqueous medium. The PEG compositions used for the present invention are desirably substantially free of ancillary electrolytes.

Claims

1. A method of ameliorating symptoms relating to at least one of (a) intestinal gas, (b) cramping and (c) anorectal irritation, the method comprising the step of administering an effective amount of a composition comprising polyethylene glycol.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the composition is substantially free of electrolytes.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the polyethylene glycol has an average molecular weight greater than 1000.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the polyethylene glycol has an average molecular weight ranging from 3000 to 8000.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the polyethylene glycol is PEG 3350.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the composition comprises a dosage from about 5 to about 200 g of polyethylene glycol.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the composition comprises from about 10 to about 30 g of polyethylene glycol per dose.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the polyethylene glycol is dispersed in an aqueous medium.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the polyethylene glycol is in solid form.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the composition is administered up to four times per day.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the ameliorated symptom is intestinal gas.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the ameliorated symptom is cramping.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the ameliorated symptom is anorectal irritation.