Pharmaceutical compositions for rectal and vaginal administration

• US 6,576,250 B1
• Filed: 09/19/2000
• Issued: 06/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cima Labs Incorporated (Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited)
• Original Assignee: Cima Labs Incorporated (Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Robinson, Joseph R., Khankari, Rajendra K., Eichman, Jonathan D., Hontz, John, Pather, S. Indiran
• Primary Examiner(s): Spear, James M.
• Application Number:
  US09/664,870
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• Field of Search: 424/430, 424/433, 424/436, 424/464, 424/451, 424/466
• US Class Current: 424/436
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/4468 having a nitrogen directly attached in position 4, e.g. clebopride, fentanyl
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/5415 ortho- or peri-condensed with carbocyclic ring systems, e.g. phenothiazine, chlorpromazine, piroxicam
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0007 Effervescent A61K9/0065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0056 Mouth soluble or dispersible forms; Suckable, eatable, chewable coherent forms; Forms rapidly disintegrating in the mouth; Lozenges; Lollipops; Bite capsules; Baked products; Baits or other oral forms for animals
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/006 Oral mucosa, e.g. mucoadhesive forms, sublingual droplets; Buccal patches or films; Buccal sprays
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/2072 characterised by shape, structure or size; Tablets with holes, special break lines or identification marks; Partially coated tablets; Disintegrating flat shaped forms A61K9/0004, A61K9/0056, A61K9/0065 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/2866 Cellulose; Cellulose derivatives, e.g. hydroxypropyl methylcellulose
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/2886 having two or more different drug-free coatings; Tablets of the type inert core-drug layer-inactive layer of the type active core-drug layer-inactive layer A61K9/209

Abstract

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention comprise rectally and vaginally administerable dosage forms that contain effervescent agents as penetration enhancers for drugs. Effervescence occurs in the rectum or vagina, once the dosage form is administered or at a predetermined time following administration. The effervescent agents can be used alone or in combination with pH adjusting substance, which further promote dissolution and absorption of the active ingredient.

Claims

1. A method for delivering an active ingredient to a target area in the rectum of a mammal;

comprising the steps of;

(a) administering in the rectum of a mammal a dosage form comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an active ingredient and at least one effervescent penetration enhancer present in an amount sufficient to increase absorption of said active ingredient across a mucosa layer of said target area,

(b) causing said active ingredient and said effervescent penetration enhancer to release from said dosage form at said target area in said rectum and to provide effervescent action at said target area;

so that said effervescent action promotes the absorption of a therapeutically effective amount of said active ingredient across said target area.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said amount of said at least one effervescent penetration enhancer is about two times to about three times the amount of said active ingredient.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of administering a suitable pH adjusting substance in said dosage form.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of administering a bioadhesive in said dosage form, wherein said bioadhesive increases contact time between said active ingredient and a mucosa layer of said target area.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said bioadhesive is contained in a portion of said dosage form external to said active ingredient.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of administering at least one noneffervescent disintegration agent in said dosage form.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said dosage form is a suppository.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said effervescent penetration enhancer comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable effervescent couple;

said effervescent couple comprising an acid or equivalent thereof and a base or equivalent thereof.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said base or equivalent thereof is present in an amount equal to about two times to about three times the amount of said active ingredient;

and said acid is present in an amount approximately equimolar to said base.