Antihistamine/decongestant regimens for treating rhinitis

• US 6,270,796 B1
• Filed: 10/29/1998
• Issued: 08/07/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: J-Med Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (J-Med Pharmaceuticals)
• Original Assignee: J-Med Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (J-Med Pharmaceuticals)
• Inventors: Weinstein, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): TURNER, SHARON L
• Application Number:
  US09/182,297
• Time in Patent Office: 1,013 Days
• Field of Search: 424/457, 424/468, 604/890.1, 604/50, 604/54
• US Class Current: 424/457
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/035 Blister-type containers blisters in general B65D75/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/04 Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/00 Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/135 having aromatic rings , e.g. ketamine, nortriptyline methadone A61K31/137
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/137 Arylalkylamines, e.g. amphetamine, epinephrine, salbutamol, ephedrine or methadone
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/44 Non condensed pyridines; Hydrogenated derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/4402 only substituted in position 2, e.g. pheniramine, bisacodyl
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 11/02 Nasal agents, e.g. decongestants

Abstract

A prefilled, unifying dispensing container of at least two different medication dosage units comprising a regimen for the treatment of rhinitis, indicia for distinguishing the dosage units, and coordinating instructions. The medications may be contained in bottles, blister packages, or pouches. Medications include antihistamine and nasal decongestant. One dosage is for administration when sedation is not desired and the other is for administration when stimulation is not desired.

Claims

1. A prepackaged therapeutic regimen comprising:

(a) a non-sedating first dosage unit, which includes a nasal decongestant;

(b) a second dosage unit which does not include a nasal decongestant and includes an antihistamine;

(c) indicia for distinguishing between said first and second dosage units;

(d) administration instructions for the use of said dosage units as a rhinitis regimen, such that said first dosage unit is instructed for daytime administration and said second dosage unit is instructed for nighttime administration; and

(e) a pharmaceutical dispensing container prefilled with said dosage units and incorporating said indicia and instructions.

2. The prepackaged therapeutic regimen of claim 1 wherein said antihistamine is non-sedating.

3. The prepackaged therapeutic regimen of claim 1 wherein said antihistamine is sedating.

4. The prepackaged therapeutic regimen of claim 1 wherein said antihistamine is chlorpheniramine.

5. The prepackaged therapeutic regimen of claim 1 wherein said decongestant is pseudoephedrine.

6. The prepackaged therapeutic regimen of claim 1 wherein said decongestant is phenylpropanolamine.

7. The prepackaged therapeutic regimen of claim 1 wherein said dispensing container is a blister pack.

8. The prepackaged therapeutic regimen of claim 1 wherein said dispensing container incorporates bottles containing liquid medications.

9. The prepackaged therapeutic regimen of claim 1 wherein said dispensing container incorporates bottles containing solid medications.

10. A method for rhinitis treatment comprising the steps of:

(a) formulating a rhinitis treatment regimen comprising a non-sedating first dosage unit which includes a nasal decongestant, and a second dosage unit which does not include a nasal decongestant and includes an antihistamine;

(b) providing indicia for distinguishing between said first and second dosage units;

(c) providing administration instructions for the use of said dosage units, such that said first dosage unit is instructed for daytime administration; and

said second dosage unit is instructed for nighttime administration; and

(d) prefilling a pharmaceutical dispensing container with said first and second dosage units and incorporating said indicia and instructions in said dispensing container for a user.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said antihistamine is non-sedating.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein said antihistamine is sedating.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein said antihistamine is chlorphenlramine.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein said decongestant is pseudoephedrine.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein said decongestant is phenylpropanolamine.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein said dispensing container is a blister pack.

17. The method of claim 10 wherein said dispensing container incorporates bottles containing liquid medications.

18. The method of claim 10 wherein said dispensing container incorporates bottles containing solid medications.