Method of promoting smoking cessation

• US 6,218,421 B1
• Filed: 07/01/1999
• Issued: 04/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smithkline Beecham PLC (GlaxoSmithKline PLC)
• Original Assignee: Smithkline Beecham PLC (GlaxoSmithKline PLC)
• Inventors: King, Stephen Eldon
• Primary Examiner(s): Higel, Floyd D.
• Application Number:
  US09/346,402
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 514/813, 514/421, 514/958, 548/493, 548/486, 206/569
• US Class Current: 514/421
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/4045 Indole-alkylamines; Amides thereof, e.g. serotonin, melatonin

Abstract

A method for promoting smoking cessation, which method comprises administrating an effective, non-toxic amount of ropinirole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof to a human in need thereof. Said ropinirole is preferably administered orally or transdermally. Also provided is a medicament for use in smoking cessation that comprises ropinirole. Said medicament may be a tablet for oral use or a transdermal patch containing ropinirole.

Claims

1. A method for promoting cessation of smoking tobacco, which method comprises administering an effective, non-toxic amount of ropinirole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof to a human in need thereof.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein ropinirole is administered in the form of the free base or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable salt is the crystalline hydrochloride.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein ropinirole is administered orally, sub-lingually, rectally, topically, parenterally, intraveneously or intramuscularly.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein ropinirole is administered transdermally.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein ropinirole is administered to said human for a period of continuous therapy.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein a daily dosage amount of 0.1-100 mg of ropinirole is administered to said human.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein ropinirole or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt is administered in the form of one or more dosage units.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein ropinirole is administered to the human in the form of 1-4 separate doses per day.

10. A method according to claim 8 wherein ropinirole is in a controlled release or delayed release formulation.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the human is given a daily dosage of 0.25-15 mg of ropinirole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.

12. The method of claim 6, wherein the human is given a daily dosage of 0.25-10 mg of ropinirole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.

13. The method of claim 6, wherein the human is given a daily dosage of 0.25-5 mg of ropinirole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.