Abstract: A transdermal drag delivery device involving an acrylate or methacrylate based copolymer, a skin penetration enhancer, a polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer, and a therapeutically effective amount of flurbiprofen.

Abstract: A calcitonin, its derivative or a salt thereof is transdermally delivered by iontophoresis in which a substantially constant voltage in the range of 3 to 20 V is applied at an electric current of 0.05 to 0.5 mA/cm.sup.2. In this process, the calcitonin can be delivered transdermally with a higher absorptivity by applying a higher voltage for a short period (at a voltage of about 6 to 14 V for about 5 to 15 minutes) in the initial stage of the voltage application, and then applying a lower voltage for a long period (at a voltage of about 3 to 9 V for about 30 to 40 minutes).

Abstract: A transdermal therapeutic system for the administration of physostigmine to the skin, consisting of a backing layer impermeable to active substance, a pressure-sensitive reservoir layer containing 40 to 90%-wt. polymeric material and 0.1 to 20%-wt. physostigmine base or one of the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and of a detachable protective layer covering the reservoir layer, comprises in its reservoir layer acrylate- and/or methacrylate-based polymeric material and 0.1 to 40%-wt. of a softener containing the hydroxyl group with an HLB value between 1.1 and 12.0.

Abstract: A therapeutic system for topically administering active substances for the treatment of skin diseases involving severe cell proliferation is characterized in that the active substance is a pharmaceutically acceptable derivate of vitamin D.sub.3, with the exception of such derivates as serve to regulate the calcium metabolism.

Abstract: A release controlled transdermal therapeutic system having excellent storage stability and capable of optionally controlling the release rate of drugs, comprising a rubbery adhesive, microcapsules comprising a water-soluble wall material and encapsulating drugs as core material, and a water-insoluble, rubber- and rubber solvent-insoluble, water absorbing resin powder, such as starch-polyacrylic acid salt copolymers, the microcapsules and the resin powder being dispersed in the rubbery adhesive.

Abstract: A combination permeation enhancer for increasing the permeability of skin to sex steroids such as estrogens and progestogens comprising a polyhydric thioalcohol of 2 to 6 carbon atoms having at least one mercapto group and at least one hydroxy group and an aliphatic carboxylic acid of 8 to 24 carbon atoms or an ester thereof.

Abstract: An alginate fibre is provided which includes one or more medicaments incorporated into the fibre core such that the one or more medicaments can be released in a sustained manner over time and, optionally, one or more medicaments attached to the surface of the fibre whereby the one or more medicaments attached to the surface of the fibre can be released rapidly therefrom.

Abstract: A method for assessing the sensitivity of a patient's tumor cells to cephalomannine and 10-deacetyltaxol in order to treat those tumor cells involves the removal of a sample of the tumor cells and establishing a cell line therefrom. Cells from the cell line are cultured and then contacted with varying concentrations of cephalomannine or 10-deacetyltaxol to form treated cells. The treated cells are assessed to determine the cytotoxic effect of the cephalomannine and/or the 10-deacetyltaxol and, where cytotoxic response is exhibited, a therapeutic dosage is formulated using the selected concentration of cephalomannine or 10-deacetyltaxol and a carrier material. The method is particularly useful for neural and glial tumor cells.

Abstract: Prazosin is formulated in solution with a akin permeation enhancer composition of: a sulfhydryl-containing compound, a fatty acid eater, and a polar solvent for transdermal administration to treat hypertension or benign prostatic hypertrophy. The formulation is employed in the form of a skin patch comprising (a) an impermeable backing layer, (b) a reservoir of the prazosin-enhancer solution, (c) a porous support member that retains the solution but is not a permeation barrier to the solution, a peripheral adhesive layer for affixing the patch to the skin, and a release liner layer.

Abstract: A method of making a pressure sensitive skin adhesive sheet material whereby a coating medium involving a liquid and a polymer is applied to a base layer of a polymer, and the liquid is allowed to diffuse into the base layer.

Abstract: A delivery system for providing growth promoters to food animals is provided and a method of promoting growth in food animals using such delivery systems is described.

Abstract: Methods and devices for preventing and/or treating an adverse reaction of the skin to the presence of a skin-sensitizing and/or skin-irritating agent by administering an effective amount of a loop diuretic alone or in combination with at least one mast cell degranulator or at least one glucocorticosteroid.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical and cosmetical preparation which rapidly penetrates through human skin, and which thus is able to bring about the rapid transdermal penetration of a wide variety of active ingredients. The compounds which enhance the rate of dermal penetration are also anti-oxidative agents and thus protect active substances susceptible to oxidative degradation. Preferred agents enhancing penetration and which protect against oxidation are higher esters and higher amides of thioglycolic acid and of mercaptopropionic acid. The preparations can be in the form of mixtures or there may be prepared chemical compounds which are a combination of the active substance and the said thioacids.

Abstract: A percutaneous absorption preparation for use in the administration of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) as a coronary vasodilator into the living body by percutaneous absorption, which has excellent adhesion to the skin and does not cause pain and damage to stratum corneum when peeled off, is disclosed. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer comprises an acrylic copolymer prepared by copolymerization of a monomer mixture comprising a (meth)acrylic acid alkyl ester and a functional monomer as the essential components, a fatty acid ester having a specified number of carbon atoms, a monoglyceride having a specified number of carbon atoms, and ISDN, and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is crosslinked. Since its skin adhesive property is improved by the inclusion of the monoglyceride, release of ISDN is improved and the area of the preparation can be decreased.

Abstract: A drug delivery device for delivering a drug either intermittently or to a pre-selected region of the gastro-intestinal tract, particularly to the colon, consists of an a solid core comprising an active agent coated with a delay jacket, then coated with a semi-permeable membrane which is optionally drilled to provide a release orifice, and then optionally further coated with an enteric material. The device delivers substantially all of the active agent to the targeted site.

Abstract: Devices for the controlled release of an active agent to the skin or mucosa of a host are disclosed, which devices are laminates of a backing layer, a monolithic carrier layer of an active ingredient selected from active agent, active agent enhancers and mixtures thereof, melt-blended with a thermoplastic matrix polymer capable of controllably releasing the active ingredient, wherein the active ingredient is heat stable at the melt temperature of the matrix polymer, together with means for affixing the laminate to the skin or mucosa of the host so that the active ingredient is continuously released from the carrier layer thereto.

Abstract: Absorbent products, especially catamenial tampons, for absorbing body fluids, such as menstrual fluid, blood and wound exudates, comprise an amount of a compound effective to inhibit the production of toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria when the products are brought into contact with the bacteria. The compound is selected from the group consisting of monoesters of a polyhydric aliphatic alcohol and a C.sub.8 -C.sub.18 fatty acid; diesters of a polyhydric aliphatic alcohol and a C.sub.8 -C.sub.18 fatty acid; and mixtures thereof. The monoesters and diesters have at least one hydroxyl group associated with their aliphatic alcohol residue.

Abstract: Devices for the controlled release of an active agent to the skin or mucosa of a host are disclosed, which devices are laminates of a backing layer, a monolithic carrier layer of an active ingredient selected from active agent, active agent enhancers and mixtures thereof, melt-blended with a thermoplastic matrix polymer capable of controllably releasing the active ingredient, wherein the active ingredient is heat stable at the melt temperature of the matrix polymer, together with means for affixing the laminate to the skin or mucosa of the host so that the active ingredient is continuously released from the carrier layer thereto.

Abstract: A transdermal therapeutic system is described, which is characterized in that it contains a crystallization inhibitor and optionally penetration enhancer in an active ingredient-containing adhesive matrix.

Abstract: A method and device for implanting large diameter objects subcutaneously or into the peritoneal cavity of bovines employs a beveled, puncturing, but substantially non-incising trocar.