Pharmaceutical compositions comprising cyclosporins

• US 5,962,017 A
• Filed: 02/17/1998
• Issued: 10/05/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Novartis Ag
• Original Assignee: Novartis G
• Inventors: Meinzer, Armin, Richter, Friedrich, Hauer, Birgit, Posanski, Ulrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Kishore, Gollamudi S.
• Application Number:
  US09/024,521
• Time in Patent Office: 595 Days
• Field of Search: 424/450, 424/400, 424/455, 424/456, 424/457, 514/11, 514/937, 514/938
• US Class Current: 424/450
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/13 Cyclosporins
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/1075 Microemulsions or submicron emulsions; Preconcentrates or solids thereof; Micelles, e.g. made of phospholipids or block copolymers A61K9/0026 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/4858 Organic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 5/00 Nanobiotechnology or nanomedicine, e.g. protein engineering or drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/30 Against vector-borne diseases, e.g. mosquito-borne, fly-borne, tick-borne or waterborne diseases whose impact is exacerbated by climate change

Abstract

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a cyclosporin, e.g. Ciclosporin or Nva!² -Ciclosporin, in "microemulsion pre-concentrate" and microemulsion form. The compositions typically comprise (1.1) a C_1-5 alkyl or tetrahydrofurfuryl di- or partial-ether of a low molecular weight mono- or poly-oxy-alkane diol, e.g. Transcutol or Glycofurol, as hydrophilic component. Compositions are also provided comprising a cyclosporin and (1.1) and, suitably, also a saccharide monoester, e.g. raffinose or saccharose monolaurate. Dosage forms include topical formulations and, in particular, oral dosage forms.

Claims

1. An oil-in water microemulsion composition having particles of less than 2,000 Å

comprising water, about 5 to about 25% by weight of cyclosporin A, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a propylene glycol hydrophilic component, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a lipophilic component and about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic surfactant, all weight percents being based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the particles have a maximum size of less than 1,500 Å

.

3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the maximum size of the particles is from 100 to 1,000 Å

.

4. The composition of claim 1 comprising about 2 to about 45% by weight of said lipophilic component, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

5. The composition of claim 1 comprising about 20 to about 90% by weight of said hydrophilic surfactant, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

6. The composition of claim 1 comprising about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of said hydrophilic component, about 2 to about 45% by weight of said lipophilic component and about 20 to about 90% by weight of said hydrophilic surfactant, all weights based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

7. The composition of claim 1 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated natural vegetable oil.

8. The composition of claim 1 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated hydrogenated vegetable oil.

9. The composition of claim 1 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester.

10. The composition of claim 9 wherein said polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester is selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonolaurate, polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonopalmitate, polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonostearate, polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonooleate, polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantristearate, polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantrioleate, polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonolaurate, polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonostearate and polyoxyethylene(5)sorbitan-monooleate.

11. The composition of claim 1 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester.

12. The composition of claim 1 wherein said lipophilic component is a triglyceride.

13. An oil-in-water microemulsion composition having an average particle size of less than about 1,500 Å

comprising water, about 5 to about 25% by weight of cyclosporin A, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a propylene glycol hydrophilic component, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a lipophilic component and about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic surfactant, all weight percents being based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

14. The composition of claim 13 wherein the average particle size is less than about 1,000 Å

.

15. The composition of claim 13 wherein the average particle size is from about 150 to less than about 1,000 Å

.

16. The composition of claim 13 comprising about 2 to about 45% by weight of said lipophilic component, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

17. The composition of claim 13 comprising about 20 to about 90% by weight of said hydrophilic surfactant, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

18. The composition of claim 13 comprising about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of said hydrophilic component, about 2 to about 45% by weight of said lipophilic component and about 20 to about 90% by weight of said hydrophilic surfactant, all weights based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

19. The composition of claim 13 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated natural vegetable oil.

20. The composition of claim 13 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated hydrogenated vegetable oil.

21. The composition of claim 13 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester.

22. The composition of claim 21 wherein said polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester is selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonolaurate, polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonopalmitate, polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonostearate, polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonooleate, polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantristearate, polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantrioleate, polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonolaurate, polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonostearate and polyoxyethylene(5)sorbitan-monooleate.

23. The composition of claim 13 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester.

24. The composition of claim 13 wherein said lipophilic component is a triglyceride.

25. An oil-in water microemulsion composition having particles of less than 2,000 Å

comprising water, about 5 to about 25% by weight of cyclosporin A, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of an ethanol hydrophilic component, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a lipophilic component and about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic surfactant, all weight percents being based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

26. The composition of claim 25 wherein the particles have a maximum size of less than 1,500 Å

.

27. The composition of claim 25 wherein the maximum size of the particles is from 100 to 1,000 Å

.

28. The composition of claim 25 comprising about 2 to about 45% by weight of said lipophilic component, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

29. The composition of claim 25 comprising about 20 to about 90% by weight of said hydrophilic surfactant, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

30. The composition of claim 25 comprising about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of said hydrophilic component, about 2 to about 45% by weight of said lipophilic component and about 20 to about 90% by weight of said hydrophilic surfactant, all weights based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

31. The composition of claim 25 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated natural vegetable oil.

32. The composition of claim 25 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated hydrogenated vegetable oil.

33. The composition of claim 25 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester.

34. The composition of claim 33 wherein said polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester is selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonolaurate, polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonopalmitate, polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonostearate, polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonooleate, polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantristearate, polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantrioleate, polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonolaurate, polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonostearate and polyoxyethylene(5)sorbitan-monooleate.

35. The composition of claim 25 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester.

36. The composition of claim 25 wherein said lipophilic component is a triglyceride.

37. An oil-in-water microemulsion composition having an average particle size of less than about 1,500 Å

comprising water, about 5 to about 25% by weight of cyclosporin A, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of an ethanol hydrophilic component, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a lipophilic component and about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic surfactant, all weight percents being based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

38. The composition of claim 37 wherein the average particle size is less than about 1,000 Å

.

39. The composition of claim 37 wherein the average particle size is from about 150 to less than about 1,000 Å

.

40. The composition of claim 37 comprising about 2 to about 45% by weight of said lipophilic component, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

41. The composition of claim 37 comprising about 20 to about 90% by weight of said hydrophilic surfactant, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

42. The composition of claim 37 comprising about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of said hydrophilic component, about 2 to about 45% by weight of said lipophilic component and about 20 to about 90% by weight of said hydrophilic surfactant, all weights based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

43. The composition of claim 37 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated natural vegetable oil.

44. The composition of claim 37 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated hydrogenated vegetable oil.

45. The composition of claim 37 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester.

46. The composition of claim 45 wherein said polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-faty acid ester is selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonolaurate, polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonopalmitate, polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonostearate, polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonooleate, polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantristearate, polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantrioleate, polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonolaurate, polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonostearate and polyoxyethylene(5)sorbitan-monooleate.

47. The composition of claim 37 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester.

48. The composition of claim 37 wherein said lipophilic component is a triglyceride.

49. An oil-in water microemulsion composition having particles of less than 2,000 Å

comprising water, about 5 to about 25% by weight of cyclosporin A, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic component, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a lipophilic component and about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic surfactant other than the hydrophilic component, all weight percents being based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

50. The composition of claim 49 wherein the particles have a maximum size of less than 1,500 Å

.

51. The composition of claim 50 wherein the maximum size of the particles is from 100 to 1,000 Å

.

52. The composition of claim 49 comprising about 2 to about 45% by weight of lipophilic component, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

53. The composition of claim 49 comprising about 20 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic surfactant, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

54. The composition of claim 49 comprising about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic component, about 2 to about 45% by weight of lipophilic component and about 20 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic surfactant, all weights based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

55. An oil-in-water microemulsion composition having an average particle size of less than about 1,500 Å

comprising water, about 5 to about 25% by weight of cyclosporin A, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic component, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a lipophilic component and about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic surfactant other than the hydrophilic component, all weight percents being based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

56. The composition of claim 55 wherein the average particle size is less than about 1,000 Å

.

57. The composition of claim 56 wherein the average particle size is from about 150 to less than about 1,000 Å

.

58. The composition of claim 55 comprising about 2 to about 45% by weight of lipophilic component, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

59. The composition of claim 55 comprising about 20 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic surfactant, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

60. The composition of claim 55 comprising about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic component, about 2 to about 45% by weight of lipophilic component and about 20 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic surfactant, all weights based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

61. A method of orally administering a composition, said method comprising orally administering to a patient in need of cyclosporin therapy an oil-in water microemulsion composition having particles of less than 2,000 Å

comprising water, about 5 to about 25% by weight of cyclosporin A, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic component, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a lipophilic component and about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic surfactant other than the hydrophilic component, all weight percents being based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

62. The method of claim 61 wherein the particles have a maximum size of less than 1,500 Å

.

63. The method of claim 62 wherein the maximum size of the particles is from 100 to 1,000 Å

.

64. The method claim 61 comprising about 2 to about 45% by weight of lipophilic component, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

65. The method of claim 61 comprising about 20 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic surfactant, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

66. The method of claim 61 comprising about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic component, about 2 to about 45% by weight of lipophilic component and about 20 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic surfactant, all weights based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

67. A method of orally administering a composition, said method comprising orally administering to a patient in need of cyclosporin therapy an oil-in-water microemulsion composition having an average particle size of less than about 1,500 Å

comprising water, about 5 to about 25% by weight of cyclosporin A, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic component, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a lipophilic component and about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic surfactant other than the hydrophilic component, all weight percents being based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

68. The method of claim 67 wherein the average particle size is less than about 1,000 Å

.

69. The method of claim 68 wherein the average particle size is from about 150 to less than about 1,000 Å

.

70. The method of claim 67 comprising about 2 to about 45% by weight of lipophilic component, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

71. The method of claim 67 comprising about 20 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic surfactant, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

72. The method of claim 67 comprising about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic component, about 2 to about 45% by weight of lipophilic component and about 20 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic surfactant, all weights based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

73. A method of reducing the variability of bioavailability levels of cyclosporin A for patients during cyclosporin therapy, said method comprising orally administering an oil-in water microemulsion composition having particles of less than 2,000 Å

comprising water, about 5 to about 25% by weight of cyclosporin A, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic component, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a lipophilic component and about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic surfactant other than the hydrophilic component, all weight percents being based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

74. The method of claim 73 wherein the particles have a maximum size of less than 1,500 Å

.

75. The method of claim 74 wherein the maximum size of the particles is from 100 to 1,000 Å

.

76. The method claim 73 comprising about 2 to about 45% by weight of lipophilic component, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

77. The method of claim 73 comprising about 20 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic surfactant, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

78. The method of claim 73 comprising about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic component, about 2 to about 45% by weight of lipophilic component and about 20 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic surfactant, all weights based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

79. A method of reducing the variability of bioavailability levels of cyclosporin A for patients during cyclosporin therapy, said method comprising orally administering an oil-in-water microemulsion composition having an average particle size of less than about 1,500 Å

comprising water, about 5 to about 25% by weight of cyclosporin A, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic component, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a lipophilic component and about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic surfactant other than the hydrophilic component, all weight percents being based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

80. The method of claim 79 wherein the average particle size is less than about 1,000 Å

.

81. The method of claim 80 wherein the average particle size is from about 150 to less than about 1,000 Å

.

82. The method of claim 79 comprising about 2 to about 45% by weight of lipophilic component, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

83. The method of claim 79 comprising about 20 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic surfactant, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

84. The method of claim 79 comprising about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic component, about 2 to about 45t by weight of lipophilic component and about 20 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic surfactant, all weights based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

85. An oil-in water microemulsion composition having particles of less than 2,000 Å

comprising water, about 5 to about 25% by weight of cyclosporin A, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic component, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a lipophilic component, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic surfactant selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene glycolated natural vegetable oil, polyoxyethylene glycolated hydrogenated vegetable oil, polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester and polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester wherein said surfactant is other than said hydrophilic component, all weight percents being based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

86. The composition of claim 85 wherein the particles have a maximum size of less than 1,500 Å

.

87. The composition of claim 86 wherein the maximum size of the particles is from 100 to 1,000 Å

.

88. The composition of claim 85 comprising about 2 to about 45% by weight of lipophilic component, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

89. The composition of claim 85 comprising about 20 to about 90% by weight of surfactant, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

90. The composition of claim 85 comprising about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic component, about 2 to about 45% by weight of lipophilic component and about 20 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic surfactant, all weights based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

91. The composition of claim 85 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated natural vegetable oil.

92. The composition of claim 85 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated hydrogenated vegetable oil.

93. The composition of claim 85 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester.

94. The composition of claim 93 wherein said polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester is selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonolaurate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonopalmitate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonostearate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonooleate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantristearate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantrioleate,

polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonolaurate,

polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonostearate and

polyoxyethylene(5)sorbitanmonooleate.

95. The composition of claim 85 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester.

96. An oil-in-water microemulsion composition having an average particle size of less than about 1,500 Å

comprising water, about 5 to about 25% by weight of cyclosporin A, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic component, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a lipophilic component, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic surfactant selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene glycolated natural vegetable oil, polyoxyethylene glycolated hydrogenated vegetable oil, polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester and polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester wherein said surfactant is other than said hydrophilic component, all weight percents being based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

97. The composition of claim 96 wherein the average particle size is less than about 1,000 Å

.

98. The composition of claim 97 wherein the average particle size is from about 150 to less than about 1,000 Å

.

99. The composition of claim 96 comprising about 2 to about 45% by weight of lipophilic component, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

100. The composition of claim 96 comprising about 20 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic surfactant, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

101. The composition of claim 96 comprising about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic component, about 2 to about 45% by weight of lipophilic component and about 20 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic surfactant, all weights based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

102. The composition of claim 96 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated natural vegetable oil.

103. The composition of claim 96 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated hydrogenated vegetable oil.

104. The composition of claim 96 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester.

105. The composition of claim 104 wherein said polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester is selected from the group consisting of

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonolaurate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonopalmitate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonostearate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonooleate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantristearate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantrioleate,

polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonolaurate,

polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonostearate and

polyoxyethylene(5)sorbitanmonooleate.

106. The composition of claim 96 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester.

107. A method of orally administering a pharmaceutical composition, said method comprising orally administering to a patient in need of cyclosporin therapy an oil-in water microemulsion composition having particles of less than 2,000 Å

comprising water, about 5 to about 25% by weight of cyclosporin A, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic component, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a lipophilic component, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic surfactant selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene glycolated natural vegetable oil, polyoxyethylene glycolated hydrogenated vegetable oil, polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester and polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester wherein said surfactant is other than said hydrophilic component, all weight percents being based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

108. The method of claim 107 wherein the particles have a maximum size of less than 1,500 Å

.

109. The method of claim 108 wherein the maximum size of the particles is from 100 to 1,000 Å

.

110. The method claim 107 comprising about 2 to about 45% by weight of lipophilic component, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

111. The method of claim 107 comprising about 20 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic surfactant, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

112. The method of claim 107 comprising about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic component, about 2 to about 45% by weight of lipophilic component and about 20 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic surfactant, all weights based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

113. The method of claim 107 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated natural vegetable oil.

114. The method of claim 107 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated hydrogenated vegetable oil.

115. The method of claim 107 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester.

116. The method of claim 115 wherein said polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester is selected from the group consisting of

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonolaurate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonopalmitate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonostearate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonooleate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantristearate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantrioleate,

polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonolaurate,

polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonostearate and

polyoxyethylene(5)sorbitanmonooleate.

117. The method of claim 107 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester.

118. A method of orally administering a pharmaceutical composition, said method comprising orally administering to a patient in need of cyclosporin therapy an oil-in-water microemulsion composition having an average particle size of less than about 1,500 Å

comprising water, about 5 to about 25% by weight of cyclosporin A, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic component, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a lipophilic component, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic surfactant selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene glycolated natural vegetable oil, polyoxyethylene glycolated hydrogenated vegetable oil, polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester and polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester wherein said surfactant is other than said hydrophilic component, all weight percents being based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

119. The method of claim 118 wherein the average particle size is less than about 1,000 Å

.

120. The method of claim 119 wherein the average particle size is from about 119 to less than about 1,000 Å

.

121. The method of claim 118 comprising about 2 to about 45% by weight of lipophilic component, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

122. The method of claim 118 comprising about 20 to about 90% by weight of surfactant, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

123. The method of claim 118 comprising about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic component, about 2 to about 45% by weight of lipophilic component and about 20 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic surfactant, all weights based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

124. The method of claim 118 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated natural vegetable oil.

125. The method of claim 118 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated hydrogenated vegetable oil.

126. The method of claim 118 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester.

127. The method of claim 126 wherein said polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester is selected from the group consisting of

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonolaurate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonopalmitate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonostearate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonooleate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantristearate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantrioleate,

polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonolaurate,

polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonostearate and

polyoxyethylene(5)sorbitanmonooleate.

128. The method of claim 118 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester.

129. A method of reducing the variability of bioavailability levels of cyclosporin A for patients during cyclosporin therapy, said method comprising orally administering an oil-in water microemulsion composition having particles of less than 2,000 Å

comprising water, about 5 to about 25% by weight of cyclosporin A, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic component, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a lipophilic component, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic surfactant selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene glycolated natural vegetable oil, polyoxyethylene glycolated hydrogenated vegetable oil, polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester and polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester wherein said surfactant is other than said hydrophilic component, all weight percents being based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

130. The method of claim 129 wherein the particles have a maximum size of less than 1,500 Å

.

131. The method of claim 130 wherein the maximum size of the particles is from 100 to 1,000 Å

.

132. The method of claim 129 comprising about 2 to about 45% by weight of lipophilic component, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

133. The method of claim 129 comprising about 20 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic surfactant, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

134. The method of claim 129 comprising about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic component, about 2 to about 45% by weight of lipophilic component and about 20 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic surfactant, all weights based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

135. The method of claim 129 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated natural vegetable oil.

136. The method of claim 129 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated hydrogenated vegetable oil.

137. The method of claim 129 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester.

138. The method of claim 137 wherein said polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester is selected from the group consisting of

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonolaurate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonopalmitate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonostearate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonooleate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantristearate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantrioleate,

polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonolaurate,

polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonostearate and

polyoxyethylene(5)sorbitanmonooleate.

139. The method of claim 129 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester.

140. A method of reducing the variability of bioavailability levels of cyclosporin A for patients during cyclosporin therapy, said method comprising orally administering an oil-in-water microemulsion composition having an average particle size of less than about 1,500 A comprising water, about 5 to about 25% by weight of cyclosporin A, about 0.5 to about 90t by weight of a hydrophilic component, about 0.5 to about 90t by weight of a lipophilic component, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic surfactant selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene glycolated natural vegetable oil, polyoxyethylene glycolated hydrogenated vegetable oil, polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester and polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester wherein said surfactant is other than said hydrophilic component, all weight percents being based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

141. The method of claim 140 wherein the average particle size is less than about 1,000 Å

.

142. The method of claim 141 wherein the average particle size is from about 150 to less than about 1,000 Å

.

143. The method of claim 140 comprising about 2 to about 45% by weight of lipophilic component, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

144. The method of claim 140 comprising about 20 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic surfactant, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

145. The method of claim 140 comprising about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic component, about 2 to about 45% by weight of lipophilic component and about 20 to about 90% by weight of hydrophilic surfactant, all weights based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

146. The method of claim 140 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated natural vegetable oil.

147. The method of claim 140 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated hydrogenated vegetable oil.

148. The method of claim 140 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester.

149. The method of claim 148 wherein said polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester is selected from the group consisting of

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonolaurate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonopalmitate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonostearate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonooleate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantristearate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantrioleate,

polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonolaurate,

polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonostearate and

polyoxyethylene(5)sorbitanmonooleate.

150. The method of claim 140 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester.

151. A method of orally administering a pharmaceutical composition, said method comprising orally administering to a patient in need of cyclosporin therapy an oil-in water microemulsion composition having particles of less than 2,000 Å

comprising water, about 5 to about 25% by weight of cyclosporin A, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a propylene glycol hydrophilic component, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a lipophilic component and about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic surfactant, all weight percents being based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

152. The method of claim 151 wherein the particles have a maximum size of less than 1,500 Å

.

153. The method of claim 152 wherein the maximum size of the particles is from 100 to 1,000 Å

.

154. The method of claim 151 comprising about 2 to about 45% by weight of said lipophilic component, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

155. The method of claim 151 comprising about 20 to about 90% by weight of said hydrophilic surfactant, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

156. The method of claim 151 comprising about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of said hydrophilic component, about 2 to about 45% by weight of said lipophilic component and about 20 to about 90% by weight of said hydrophilic surfactant, all weights based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

157. The method of claim 151 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated natural vegetable oil.

158. The method of claim 151 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated hydrogenated vegetable oil.

159. The method of claim 151 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester.

160. The method of claim 159 wherein said polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester is selected from the group consisting of

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonolaurate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonopalmitate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonostearate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonooleate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantristearate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantrioleate,

polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonolaurate,

polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonostearate and

polyoxyethylene(5)sorbitanmonooleate.

161. The method of claim 151 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester.

162. The method of claim 151 wherein said lipophilic component is a triglyceride.

163. A method of orally administering a pharmaceutical composition, said method comprising orally administering to a patient in need of cyclosporin therapy an oil-in-water microemulsion composition having an average particle size of less than about 1,500 Å

comprising water, about 5 to about 25% by weight of cyclosporin A, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a propylene glycol hydrophilic component, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a lipophilic component and about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic surfactant, all weight percents being based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

164. The method of claim 163 wherein the average particle size is less than about 1,000 Å

.

165. The method of claim 164 wherein the average particle size is from about 150 to less than about 1,000 Å

.

166. The method of claim 163 comprising about 2 to about 45% by weight of said lipophilic component, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

167. The method of claim 163 comprising about 20 to about 90% by weight of said hydrophilic surfactant, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

168. The method of claim 163 comprising about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of said hydrophilic component, about 2 to about 45% by weight of said lipophilic component and about 20 to about 900 by weight of said hydrophilic surfactant, all weights based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

169. The method of claim 163 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated natural vegetable oil.

170. The method of claim 163 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated hydrogenated vegetable oil.

171. The method of claim 163 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester.

172. The method of claim 171 wherein said polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester is selected from the group consisting of

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonolaurate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonopalmitate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonostearate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonooleate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantristearate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantrioleate,

polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonolaurate,

polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonostearate and

polyoxyethylene(5)sorbitanmonooleate.

173. The method of claim 163 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester.

174. The method of claim 163 wherein said lipophilic component is a triglyceride.

175. A method of reducing the variability of bioavailability levels of cyclosporin A for patients during cyclosporin therapy, said method comprising orally administering an oil-in water microemulsion composition having particles of less than 2,000 Å

comprising water, about 5 to about 25% by weight of cyclosporin A, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a propylene glycol hydrophilic component, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a lipophilic component and about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic surfactant, all weight percents being based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

176. The method of claim 175 wherein the particles have a maximum size of less than 1,500 Å

.

177. The method of claim 176 wherein the maximum size of the particles is from 100 to 1,000 Å

.

178. The method of claim 175 comprising about 2 to about 45% by weight of said lipophilic component, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

179. The method of claim 175 comprising about 20 to about 90% by weight of said hydrophilic surfactant, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

180. The method of claim 175 comprising about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of said hydrophilic component other than water, about 2 to about 45% by weight of said lipophilic component and about 20 to about 90% by weight of said hydrophilic surfactant, all weights based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

181. The method of claim 175 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated natural vegetable oil.

182. The method of claim 175 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated hydrogenated vegetable oil.

183. The method of claim 175 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester.

184. The method of claim 183 wherein said polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester is selected from the group consisting of

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonolaurate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonopalmitate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonostearate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonooleate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantristearate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantrioleate,

polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonolaurate,

polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonostearate and

polyoxyethylene(5)sorbitanmonooleate.

185. The method of claim 175 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester.

186. The method of claim 175 wherein said lipophilic component is a triglyceride.

187. A method of reducing the variability of bioavailability levels of cyclosporin A for patients during cyclosporin therapy, said method comprising orally administering an oil-in-water microemulsion composition having an average particle size of less than about 1,500 Å

comprising water, about 5 to about 25% by weight of cyclosporin A, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a propylene glycol hydrophilic component, about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a lipophilic component and about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of a hydrophilic surfactant, all weight percents being based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

188. The method of claim 187 wherein the average particle size is less than about 1,000 Å

.

189. The method of claim 188 wherein the average particle size is from about 119 to less than about 1,000 Å

.

190. The method of claim 187 comprising about 2 to about 45% by weight of said lipophilic component, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

191. The method of claim 187 comprising about 20 to about 90% by weight of said hydrophilic surfactant, based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

192. The method of claim 187 comprising about 0.5 to about 90% by weight of said hydrophilic component, about 2 to about 45% by weight of said lipophilic component and about 20 to about 90% by weight of said hydrophilic surfactant, all weights based on the total weight of the cyclosporin A, hydrophilic component, lipophilic component and hydrophilic surfactant.

193. The method of claim 187 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated natural vegetable oil.

194. The method of claim 187 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene glycolated hydrogenated vegetable oil.

195. The method of claim 187 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester.

196. The method of claim 187 wherein said polyoxyethylene-sorbitan-fatty acid ester is selected from the group consisting of

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonolaurate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonopalmitate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonostearate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitanmonooleate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantristearate,

polyoxyethylene(20)sorbitantrioleate,

polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonolaurate,

polyoxyethylene(4)sorbitanmonostearate and

polyoxyethylene(5)sorbitanmonooleate.

197. The method of claim 187 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester.

198. The method of claim 187 wherein said lipophilic component is a triglyceride.