Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for application to an area of skin of a subject for local and/or systemic treatment of a COX-2 mediated disorder comprises a backing sheet that is flexibly conformable to the area of skin, the backing sheet having opposing surfaces that are respectively distal and proximal to the skin when applied; and a coating on the proximal surface of the backing sheet that comprises (a) an adhesive and (b) a water-soluble active agent selected from selective COX-2 inhibitory drugs, prodrugs and salts thereof, the active agent being in a therapeutically effective total amount and dispersed in a matrix that comprises zero to less than an active agent solubilizing effective amount in total of one or more solvents other than the adhesive.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for application to an area of skin of a subject for local and/or systemic treatment of a COX-2 mediated disorder comprises a backing sheet that is flexibly conformable to the area of skin, the backing sheet having opposing surfaces that are respectively distal and proximal to the skin when applied; and a coating on the proximal surface of the backing sheet that comprises (a) an adhesive and (b) an active agent comprising valdecoxib or a prodrug thereof or a salt thereof, the active agent being in a therapeutically effective total amount and dispersed in a matrix that comprises zero to less than an active agent solubilizing effective amount in total of one or more solvents other than the adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical dosage form comprising a fill material sealed in a gelatin capsule; the fill material comprises (a) a selective COX-2 inhibitory drug of low water solubility, and (b) a sulfite compound in an amount sufficient to inhibit cross-linking of gelatin in said gelatin capsule upon storage of the dosage form in a closed container maintained at 40° C. and 75% relative humidity for a period of 6 months.

Abstract: N-[[4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]phenyl]-sulfonyl]propanamide and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are useful prodrugs of the selective COX-2 inhibitory drug celecoxib, which can be administered to a subject by any suitable route.

Abstract: A dermally deliverable pharmaceutical composition comprises at least one selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitory drug or prodrug thereof solubilized in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier that comprises a low molecular weight monohydric alcohol, and exhibits a skin permeation rate of the therapeutic agent at least equal to that exhibited by a reference solution of the therapeutic agent in 70% aqueous ethanol. A method of effecting targeted delivery of a selective COX-2 inhibitory drug to a site of pain and/or inflammation in a subject comprises topically administering such a composition to skin of the subject, preferably at a locus overlying or adjacent to the site of pain and/or inflammation. A method of effecting systemic treatment of a subject having a COX-2 mediated disorder comprises transdermally administering such a composition, preferably by contacting the composition with an area of skin of the subject not greater than about 400 cm2.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprises one or more discrete orally deliverable dosage forms, each comprising a poorly soluble coxib component in an amount effective when administered once daily for treatment or prevention of a COX-2 mediated disorder, an aspirin component in a cardioprotective effective amount when administered once daily, and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient; the dosage forms having no substantial barrier to intimate commingling of the coxib and aspirin components. A method of simultaneously treating or preventing a COX-2 mediated disorder and providing cardioprotection comprises orally administering such a pharmaceutical composition to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition that is substantially free of water comprises at least one orally deliverable dosage unit comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a sulfonamide prodrug and, where the prodrug is readily degradable ex vivo, has means to inhibit such degradation prior to oral administration. Illustratively the prodrug is parecoxib or a water-soluble salt thereof, and the composition has means to inhibit conversion of the parecoxib to valdecoxib. A method of treating or preventing a COX-2 mediated disorder in a subject comprises (a) dissolving at least one dosage unit of such a composition in a pharmaceutically acceptable aqueous vehicle to form a solution, and (b) orally administering the solution to the subject before substantial precipitation of insoluble matter occurs in the solution.