Abstract: Methods for modifying polypeptide agents to enhance their transdermal electrotransport flux are provided. The polypeptide is modified by reducing the potential of the polypeptide for forming .alpha.-helical or .beta.-sheet segments. In particular, amino acid residues known to stabilize .alpha.-helical and .beta.-sheet segments can be replaced with destabilizing residues and known helix breakers. Modified molecules and compositions including the molecules are also provided.

Abstract: An electrotransport drug-containing composition is provided. The composition includes a drug to be delivered through a body surface (eg, skin) of a patient, and a permeation enhancer which is solid or semisolid at temperatures typically encountered during storage of pharmaceuticals (eg, temperatures up to at least about 25.degree. C.). The composition of the invention may be applied from a device 10 suitable for electrotransport delivery. A method for increasing electrotransport agent delivery rate and reducing body surface resistance relies on applying the composition of the invention to the body surface, and applying an electric current through the composition and the body surface.

Abstract: A delivery system is disclosed for delivering a fluid-sensitive beneficial agent such as a somatotropin, or an analogue or derivative thereof, to an animal such as a bovine. The delivery system comprises a wall that surrounds an internal compartment, said wall comprising a first wall section that limits the passage of fluid into the system and a second wall section that permits the passage of fluid into the system. The wall may further comprise an end cap which may include means for adapting the end cap for ultrasonic welding to the first wall section and means for maintaining the beneficial agent in contact with exit means. The compartment comprises a beneficial agent and an expandable means. The delivery system comprises exit means for delivering the beneficial agent to the animal.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for delivering an active agent formulation for a predetermined administration period. An impermeable reservoir is divided into a water-swellable agent chamber and an active agent formulation chamber. Fluid from the environment is imbibed through a semipermeable plug into the water-swellable agent chamber and the active agent formulation is released through a back-diffusion regulating outlet. Delivery periods of up to 2 years are achieved.

Abstract: A method is described for delivering a beneficial agent, such as an antiinflammatory agent, to the site of a painful condition in the oral cavity of a human being that utilizes an oral dosage form having an immediately releasable topical anesthetic and a sustained release beneficial agent. The topical anesthetic is released substantially independently of the beneficial agent to provide immediate pain relief and the application of the beneficial agent is continued over a long period of time.

Abstract: Improved methods of ionophoretic drug delivery are described. By the intentional selection of drug(s) with specific characteristics, of ionotophoresis device, components or both permits the efficiency of drug delivery is increased.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the oral administration of drugs and other active agents are provided. The compositions comprise an active agent carrier particle attached to a binding moiety which binds specifically to a target molecule present on the surface of a mammalian enterocyte. The binding moiety binds to the target molecule with a binding affinity or avidity sufficient to initiate endocytosis or phagocytosis of the particulate active agent carrier so that the carrier will be absorbed by the enterocyte. The active agent will then be released from the carrier to the host's systemic circulation. In this way, degradation of degradation-sensitive drugs, such as polypeptides, in the intestines can be avoided while absorption of proteins and polypeptides from the intestinal tract is increased.

Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed for administering 10 ng to 1200 mg tacrine to a patient in need of tacrine therapy.

Abstract: An electrotransport delivery device (410) includes control circuitry for discontinuously delivering a beneficial agent (eg, a drug) through a body surface (eg, skin 400). For example, the device may be the type which is manually activated by the patient or other medical personnel to activate electrotransport drug delivery. Once electrotransport delivery has been activated, a timer (221) counts a transition interval, typically about one minute, during which the device is allowed to operate and the impedance of the body surface (400) is allowed to stabilize. Thereafter, the electrotransport current and voltage are then monitored and compared to predetermined limits. Allowing for the transition interval permits tighter tolerances in monitoring the applied current.

Abstract: An electrotransport drug delivery device which delivers an anti-inflammatory agent in order to reduce skin irritation associated with electrotransport delivery of the drug is provided. The anti-inflammatory agent is selected from hydrocortisone, esters of hydrocortisone and salts thereof.

Abstract: A delivery system (10) is disclosed for delivering a fluid-sensitive beneficial agent (7) such as a somatotropin, or an analogue or derivative thereof, to an animal such as a bovine. The delivery system comprises a wall that surrounds an internal compartment, said wall comprising a first wall section that limits the passage of fluid into the system and a second wall section that permits the passage of fluid into the system. An exit passageway is provided for delivering the beneficial agent an interior compartment (18) to the animal. The exit passageway is sealed with a wax seal (30) which is expelled through the passageway (13) as the internal pressure within the device (10) reaches a predetermined "bursting" pressure.

Abstract: A dosage form is provided for administering a drug of the formula ##STR1## to a patient to produce an anxiolytic benefit in the patient.

Abstract: A composition of matter for application to a body surface or membrane to coadminister an estrogen and progesterone by permeation through the body surface or membrane, the composition comprising, in combination, the estrogen and progesterone to be administered, in a therapeutically effective amount; and a permeation-enhancing mixture comprising a monoglyceride or a mixture of monoglycerides, and a lactate ester or a mixture of lactate esters at specific concentrations. The composition of matter is used to provide hormone replacement therapy to a woman.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an active agent dosage form which is useful for the prolonged delivery of an active agent formulation to a fluid environment of use. The active agent dosage form is a matrix that has on its surface two or more insoluble bands. The invention is also directed to the method for making the active agent dosage form.

Abstract: A composition comprises an agent to be delivered through a body surface and an electrotransport enhancer having a hydrophobic tail and a polar head of specific characteristics. An electrotransport delivery device is also provided having a reservoir comprising the agent to be delivered and the electrotransport enhancer of the invention. The electrotransport enhancers increase the electrotransport delivery rate of the agent through the surface while reducing the electrical resistance of the surface during electrotransport of the agent.

Abstract: A method of laser drilling a delivery port (37) in a beneficial agent dispenser (30) is disclosed. A dispenser (30) has a compartment (32) formed by a wall (31) for containing a beneficial agent (33) to be delivered. A laser beam is employed for burning at least partially through the wall (31). The laser beam and the dispenser (30) are positioned relative to one another such that the laser beam is aimed at a predetermined port site (35) on the dispenser (30). The laser beam is turned off (unenergized) during the positioning period. The laser beam is then energized and moved relative to the dispenser (30) for scribing a delivery port (37) proximate the port site (35). The scribing motion moves the laser beam from the port site (35) along a course (37). Preferably the course (37) is closed. The scribing motion causes the burning of the wall (31) by the laser beam to scribe the delivery port (37). The positioning motion and the scribing motion are controlled by a scanning system (16).

Abstract: A selectively permeable membrane (14) is positioned between the agent reservoir (15) and the electrode (11) of a donor electrode assembly (8) in an iontophoretic delivery device (10). Optionally, an electrolyte reservoir (13) is positioned intermediate the electrode (11) and the agent reservoir (15). In certain embodiments, the membrane (14) is permeable to species of less than a predetermined molecular weight and substantially less permeable to species of greater than the predetermined molecular weight. The agent is capable of dissociating into agent ions and counter ions.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and systems for the transdermal administration of a drug together with glycerol monolinoleate as a permeation enhancer. An example of a delivery system of the invention is a system (20) having a drug reservoir (22) containing together a drug to be delivered and glycerol monolinoleate permeation enhancer. Reservoir is sandwiched between a backing layer (24) and an in-line contact adhesive layer (28).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved fluid-imbibing dispensing device for delivering a beneficial agent to a biological environment of use, the dispensing device being of the type having a housing which includes a fluid-impermeable first wall section with an open end and a fluid-permeable second wall section with an open end, an internal compartment formed by the first and second wall sections, exit means in the housing, a beneficial agent in that portion of the compartment formed by the first wall section, expandable driving means in that portion of the compartment formed by the second wall section, and a partition layer between the beneficial agent and the expandable driving means; wherein the improvement comprises the first wall section being comprised of an extremely fluid-impermeable material and the open end of each of the first wall section and the second wall section having reciprocally tapered edges one with the other to form a tapered lap joint for mating engagement, the tapered lap join