Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for O-demethylating methoxy substituted morphinan-6-one derivatives using AlCl3 as a demethylating agent in a reaction-inert solvent having a water content ranging from 0.1% wt to 0.8% wt.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of N-methylnaltrexone bromide, wherein a compound of the general formula (I): wherein X? represents an anion other than the bromide anion, and R represents hydrogen or a leaving group, is dissolved or dispersed in a suitable polar solvent, the solution or dispersion is mixed with a compound containing bromide anions, and the resulting reaction mixture is stirred until N-methylnaltrexone bromide has formed and crystallized, wherein, in the case where R represents a leaving group, that group is removed during or after the reaction.

Abstract: A process for purifying plant extracts which consist essentially of noroxymorphone compounds and which comprise, as impurities, ?,?-unsaturated noroxymorphone compounds, by (a) converting the plant extract or the product of a subsequent stage in the synthesis of a selected noroxymorphone compound in a reaction which converts the hydroxyl groups present in the mixture to leaving groups of the formula —OR2 in which R2 is the introduced radical of the leaving group, (b) these leaving groups are optionally detached again, then (c) the resulting mixture is subjected to a selective hydrogenation, so that a saturated bond is formed in the ?,?-position of the unsaturated noroxymorphone compounds and any remaining leaving groups are each converted to a hydroxyl group and then optionally (d) the pure noroxymorphone compound is isolated; processing of the noroxymorphone purified in this way to naltrexone or naloxone or a salt of these compounds or a quaternary derivative of these compounds; pharmaceutical formulations c

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing N-phenyl-N-(4-piperidinyl)amide salts, particularly pharmaceutically tolerable addition salts of the compound Remifentanil, in that a compound of the formula (III) is reacted with an acrylic acid alkyl ester of the formula CH2?CH—C(O)—OR: where independently of each other R denotes low-molecular alkyl, preferably (C1-4)alkyl, preferably methyl or ethyl, R1 denotes low-molecular alkyl, preferably (C1-4)alkyl, preferably methyl or ethyl; and HX denotes an inorganic or organic acid, wherein the components are optionally reacted in the presence of a catalyst, preferably at a higher temperature, thereby obtaining the salt of the compound of formula (I).

Abstract: The invention relates to non-hydrated fexofenadine hydrochloride which can be obtained from a fexofenadine base and hydrogen chloride, according to the reaction conditions, either in the form of a novel polymorph (“form A”), in an amorphous form, or in the form of a mixture of different polymorphs. Said novel polymorph (“form A”) can be used as a therapeutic active ingredient and can be processed to form a pharmaceutical containing the same and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Said pharmaceutical is suitable for use as an antihistaminic agent, an antiallergic agent and/or a bronchodilating agent.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of N-methylnaltrexone bromide, wherein a compound of the general formula (I): wherein X? represents an anion other than the bromide anion, and R represents hydrogen or a leaving group, is dissolved or dispersed in a suitable polar solvent, the solution or dispersion is mixed with a compound containing bromide anions, and the resulting reaction mixture is stirred until N-methylnaltrexone bromide has formed and crystallised, wherein, in the case where R represents a leaving group, that group is removed during or after the reaction.

Abstract: This invention relates to an oral pharmaceutical preparation, suitable for dosing every 24 hours, comprising a substrate, which substrate comprises a pharmaceutically effective amount of tramadol or a salt thereof and a pharmaceutically effective amount of topiramate and wherein said substrate may be coated with a controlled release coating; said preparation having a specific dissolution rate in vitro.

Abstract: N-ethyl-N-[3-(3-cyanopyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-yl)phenyl]acetamide (Zaleplon) can be produced by condensing 3-(N-acetyl-N-ethyl-amino)-?-oxo-phenylpropanal sodium salt with 3-amino-4-cyanopyrazole. Said sodium salt can be produced by first treating 3-acetylamino-acetophenone with an alkali metal hydroxide, in particular with powdered potassium hydroxide and then with an ethylating reagent, in particular ethyl bromide and the N-(3-acetylphenyl)-N-ethyl-acetamide that is obtained is reacted with a formic acid alkyl ester in the presence of an alkali metal alkanolate, in particular in the presence of sodium ethanolate. Zaleplon is the active ingredient of the soporific licensed under the trade name Sonata®.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for making iron(III)gluconate complex, preferably alkali iron(III)gluconate complex. The method includes the following steps: (i) mixing a water soluble iron(III)salt in aqueous solution, simultaneously or in any desired sequence, with a member selected from gluconic acid, a water soluble salt of gluconic acid and combinations thereof, and a member selected from an alkali hydroxide, an alkali carbonate, an alkali hydrogen carbonate and combinations thereof, so that the reaction mixture has an acid value (pH-value) within the range of from 7.0 to 12, provided that when alkali hydroxide is used, gluconic acid or a water soluble salt of gluconic acid is provided at the beginning of the reaction or is added to the reaction mixture simultaneously with the alkali hydroxide; (ii) heating the reaction mixture until the iron(III)gluconate complex has formed; and (iii) adding an organic solvent which is miscible with water until the iron(III)gluconate complex is precipitated.

Abstract: A compound of the general formula (1), in which: Y denotes hydrogen, a halogen or a C1-4 alkyl group; X1 and X2 denote, independently of each other, hydrogen, a halogen, a C1-4 alkoxy, C1-6 alkyl, CF3, CH3S CH3SO2 or NO2 group; and R1 and R2 denote independently of each other, hydrogen or a C1-5 alkyl group, with the proviso that R1 and R2 do not both denote hydrogen, or a salt thereof, and is prepared by a multi-step process, the last step of which comprises reducing a compound of the general formula (6), in which Y, X1, X2, R1 and R2 are as defined above with an appropriate reducing agent, such as Zn, and, if desired, converting the compound of formula (1) thus obtained, into a salt. The products of this process are known to have useful pharmacological properties, e.g. as anxiolytics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing compounds which contain at least one molecule valproic acid salt and at least one molecule valproic acid. The valproic acid salt represents alkali or alkaline earth salt. Valproic acid is directly converted with the calculated amount of the corresponding alkali carbonate or earth alkaline carbonate and/or the calculated amount of the corresponding alkali bicarbonate or earth alkaline bicarbonate without adding a solvent and at a temperature that is higher than the melting temperature of valproic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liposome based formulation of erythropoietin comprising: (a) an effective amount of an erythropoietin; (b) a lipidic phase comprising: (i) lecithin or hydrogenated lecithin; (ii) optionally, a charged electropositive or electronegative lipid compound; and (iii) cholesterol or a derivative thereof selected from cholesterol esters, polyethylene glycol derivatives of cholesterol (PEG-cholesterols), and organic acid derivatives of cholesterols; and (c) a phosphate buffer. The liposome based parenteral dosage form of the invention is prepared by means of an ethanol injection technique. The composition avoids the need for use of human serum albumin and exhibits superior stability.

Abstract: A liposome-based formulation with good skin penetration of the effective substance, particularly calcitriol, is described. This formulation is well suited for the treatment of psoriasis.