Delivery of sedative-hypnotics through an inhalation route

• US 7,445,768 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2006
• Issued: 11/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alexza Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Grupo Ferrer Internacional SA)
• Original Assignee: Alexza Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Grupo Ferrer Internacional SA)
• Inventors: Zaffaroni, Alejandro C, Rabinowitz, Joshua D
• Primary Examiner(s): Haghighatian; Mina
• Application Number:
  US11/500,735
• Publication Number:
  US 20060286042A1
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: 424/45, 424/46, 424/434, 424/489, 424/499, 514/958, 128/200.14, 128/200.15, 128/200.24
• US Class Current: 424/45
• 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 sedative-hypnotics through an inhalation route. Specifically, it relates to aerosols containing sedative-hypnotics that are used in inhalation therapy. In a method aspect of the present invention, a sedative-hypnotic drug is administered to a patient through an inhalation route. The method comprises: a) heating a thin layer of a sedative-hypnotic, on a solid support, to form a vapor; and, b) passing air through the heated vapor to produce aerosol particles having less than 5% sedative-hypnotic drug degradation products. In a kit aspect of the present invention, a kit for delivering a sedative-hypnotic through an inhalation route is provided which comprises: a) a thin layer of a sedative-hypnotic drug and b) a device for dispensing said thin layer a sedative-hypnotic drug as a condensation aerosol.

Claims

1. A condensation aerosol for delivery of zaleplon formed by heating a composition containing zaleplon coated on a solid support to form a vapor and condensing the vapor to form a condensation aerosol comprising particles, wherein the particles comprise at least 10 percent by weight of zaleplon and less than 5 percent by weight of zaleplon degradation products, and the condensation aerosol has an MMAD of less than 5 microns.

2. The condensation aerosol according to claim 1, wherein the condensation aerosol has an MMAD of 0.2 to 3 microns.

3. The condensation aerosol according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the geometric standard deviation around the MMAD is less than 3.0.

25. The condensation aerosol according to claim 2, wherein the condensing comprises allowing the vapor to cool.

4. A condensation aerosol for delivery of zolpidem formed by heating a composition containing zolpidem coated on a solid support to form a vapor and condensing the vapor to form a condensation aerosol comprising particles, wherein the particles comprise at least 10 percent by weight of zolpidem and less than 5 percent by weight of zolpidem degradation products, and the condensation aerosol has an MMAD of less than 5 microns.

5. The condensation aerosol according to claim 4, wherein the condensation aerosol has an MMAD of 0.2 to 3 microns.

6. The condensation aerosol according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the geometric standard deviation around the MMAD is less than 3.0.

26. The condensation aerosol according to claim 5, wherein the condensing comprises allowing the vapor to cool.

7. A condensation aerosol for delivery of zopiclone formed by heating a composition containing zopiclone coated on a solid support to form a vapor and condensing the vapor to form a condensation aerosol comprising particles, wherein the particles comprise at least 10 percent by weight of zopiclone and less than 5 percent by weight of zopiclone degradation products, and the condensation aerosol has an MMAD between of less than 5 microns.

8. The condensation aerosol according to claim 7, wherein the condensation aerosol has an MMAD of 0.2 to 3 microns.

9. The condensation aerosol according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the geometric standard deviation around the MMAD is less than 3.0.

27. The condensation aerosol according to claim 8, wherein the condensing comprises allowing the vapor to cool.

10. A method of forming a zaleplon containing aerosol comprising:

(a) heating a composition containing zaleplon coated on a solid support to form a vapor; and

(b) condensing the vapor to form a condensation aerosol comprising particles,

wherein the particles comprise less than 5 percent by weight of zaleplon degradation products, and the condensation aerosol has an MMAD of less than 5 microns.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the condensation aerosol has an MMAD of 0.2 to 3 microns.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the coated composition comprises at least 10 percent by weight of zaleplon.

28. The method according to claim 11, wherein the condensing comprises allowing the vapor to cool.

13. A method of forming a zolpidem containing aerosol comprising:

(a) heating a composition containing zolpidem coated on a solid support to form a vapor; and

(b) condensing the vapor to form a condensation aerosol comprising particles,

wherein the particles comprise less than 5 percent by weight of zolpidem degradation product, and the condensation aerosol has an MMAD of less than 5 microns.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the condensation aerosol has an MMAD of 0.2 to 3 microns.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the coated composition comprises at least 10 percent by weight of zolpidem.

29. The method according to claim 14, wherein the condensing comprises allowing the vapor to cool.

16. A method of forming a zopiclone containing aerosol comprising:

(a) heating a composition containing zopiclone coated on a solid support to form a vapor; and

(b) condensing the vapor to form a condensation aerosol comprising particles,

wherein the particles comprise less than 5 percent by weight of zopiclone degradation products, and the condensation aerosol has an MMAD of less than 5 microns.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the condensation aerosol has an MMAD of 0.2 to 3 microns.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the coated composition comprises at least 10 percent by weight of zopiclone.

30. The method according to claim 17, wherein the condensing comprises allowing the vapor to cool.

19. A method of forming a drug containing aerosol comprising:

(a) heating a composition containing the drug and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient coated on a solid support to form a vapor; and

(b) condensing the vapor to form a condensation aerosol comprising particles,

wherein the drug is selected from the group consisting of zaleplon, zolpidem, and zopiclone, and

wherein the particles comprise at least 10 percent by weight of the drug and less than 5 percent by weight of the drug degradation products, and the condensation aerosol has an MMAD of less than 5 microns.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the condensation aerosol has an MMAD of 0.2 to 3 microns.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the coated composition comprises at least 10 percent by weight of the drug.

31. The method according to claim 20, wherein the condensing comprises allowing the vapor to cool.

22. A method of forming a drug containing aerosol comprising:

(a) heating a composition containing a salt form of the drug coated on a solid support to form a vapor; and

(b) condensing the vapor to form a condensation aerosol comprising particles,

wherein the drug is selected from the group consisting of zaleplon, zolpidem, and zopiclone, and

wherein the particles comprise at least 10 percent by weight of the drug and less than 5 percent by weight of the drug degradation products, and the condensation aerosol has an MMAD of less than 5 microns.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the condensation aerosol has an MMAD of 0.2 to 3 microns.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the coated composition comprises at least 10 percent by weight of the salt form of the drug.

32. The method according to claim 23, wherein the condensing comprises allowing the vapor to cool.

33. A method of forming a drug containing aerosol comprising:

(a) heating a composition containing the drug coated on a solid support to form a vapor, and

(b) condensing the vapor to form a condensation aerosol comprising particles,

wherein the drug is selected from the group consisting of zaleplon, zolpidem, and zopiclone,

wherein the condensation aerosol is formed at a rate greater than 0.5 mg/second, and

wherein the particles comprise at least 10 percent by weight of the drug and less than 5 percent by weight of the drug degradation products, and the condensation aerosol has an MMAD of less than 5 microns.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein the condensation aerosol has an MMAD of 0.2 to 3 microns.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein the condensation aerosol is formed at a rate greater than 0.75 mg/second.

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein the condensation aerosol is formed at a rate greater than 1 mg/second.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the condensation aerosol is formed at a rate greater than 2 mg/second.

38. The method according to claim 34, wherein the condensing comprises allowing the vapor to cool.