Pharmaceutical preparation for the treatment of the symptoms of addiction and method of diagnosing same

• US 9,017,665 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2013
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Curemark LLC
• Original Assignee: Curemark LLC
• Inventors: Fallon, Joan M.
• Primary Examiner(s): HANLEY, SUSAN MARIE
• Application Number:
  US13/926,822
• Publication Number:
  US 20140161787A1
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• US Class Current: 424/94.21
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/465 acting on ester bonds (3.1), e.g. lipases, ribonucleases
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/47 acting on glycosyl compounds (3.2), e.g. cellulases, lactases
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/4826 Trypsin (3.4.21.4) Chymotrypsin (3.4.21.1)
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/4873 Cysteine endopeptidases (3.4.22), e.g. stem bromelain, papain, ficin, cathepsin H
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/54 Mixtures of enzymes or proenzymes covered by more than a single one of groups A61K38/44 - A61K38/46 or A61K38/51 - A61K38/53
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 1/00 Drugs for disorders of the alimentary tract or the digestive system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 1/14 Prodigestives, e.g. acids, enzymes, appetite stimulants, antidyspeptics, tonics, antiflatulents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/30 for treating abuse or dependence
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/32 Alcohol-abuse

Abstract

A therapeutic agent for the treatment of the symptoms of addiction and the method for preparing the therapeutic agent is disclosed. The therapeutic agent is a stable pharmaceutical preparation containing, but not limited to, digestive/pancreatic enzymes. The therapeutic agent may be manufactured by a variety of encapsulation technologies. Delivery of the therapeutic agent may be made orally, through injection, by adherence of a medicated patch or other method. Further, a method of using of a biomarker, the presence of chymotrypsin in the gastrointestinal tract to determine the presence of symptoms of addiction, and the likelihood of relapsing into addiction is disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for treating an individual exhibiting one or more symptoms of drug or alcohol addiction, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical preparation comprising digestive enzymes to the individual, whereby the one or more symptoms of drug or alcohol addiction are treated.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the digestive enzymes comprise amylase, lipase, and protease.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the digestive enzymes consist of amylase, lipase and protease.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the digestive enzymes are derived from a source selected from the group consisting of animal enzymes, plant enzymes, synthetic enzymes, and a combination thereof.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the pharmaceutical preparation is manufactured using a technology selected from the group consisting of enteric coating, lipid encapsulation, direct compression, dry granulation, wet granulation, and a combination thereof.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the pharmaceutical preparation is administered orally via a dosage formulation selected from the group consisting of:

pills, tablets, capsules, microcapsules, mini-capsules, time released capsules, mini-tabs, sprinkles, and a combination thereof.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the amount of amylase ranges from 10,000 to 60,000 USP units/dose.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the amount of protease ranges from 10,000 to 70,000 USP units/dose.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the amount of lipase ranges from 4,000 to 30,000 USP units/dose.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more symptoms of alcohol addiction are treated.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more symptoms of drug or alcohol addiction are selected from the group consisting of:

a lack of protein digestion, a lack of nutrient adsorption, and a combination thereof.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more symptoms of drug addiction are treated.