Abstract: Methods are provided for enhancing the permeability of skin or mucosal tissue to topical or transdermal application of pharmacologically or cosmeceutically active agents. The methods entail the use of a base in order to increase the flux of the active agent through a body surface while minimizing the likelihood of skin damage, irritation or sensitization. The permeation enhancer can be an inorganic or organic base. Compositions and transdermal systems are also described.

Abstract: A method and composition for the transdermal administration of proton pump inhibitors such as substituted pyridyl methylsulfinyl benzimidazoles, and in particular, omeprazole, lansoprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole and raberprazole. The method and composition include the use of a hydroxide-releasing agent as a permeation enhancer to increase the flux of the protein pump inhibitor through a patient's skin or mucosal tissues and optionally also include the use of a carrier such as 1,3-butanediol, dipropylene glycol, and hexylene glycol.

Abstract: A method and related compositions, including the use of N-acyl derivatives of sarcosine, provide for the delivery of bioactive agents through tissue surfaces such as the skin. The method and composition are particularly well suited for hydrophobic active agents such as serotonin (5HT3) receptor antagonists (e.g., ondansetron), antipsychotic agents (e.g., risperidone), benzodiazepines (e.g., flumazenil), and progestins (e.g., levonorgestrel).

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the permeability of skin or mucosal tissue to transdermally administered nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The method involves use of a specified amount of a hydroxide-releasing agent, the amount optimized to increase the flux of the NSAID through a body surface while minimizing the likelihood of skin damage, irritation or sensitization. Formulations and drug delivery systems for co-administering a hydroxide-releasing agent with an NSAID are provided as well.

Abstract: A composition and method are provided for alleviating the dermatological signs of intrinsic and extrinsic aging. A topical formulation containing a cosmeceutically active base, wherein the formulation provides a pH in the range of about 8.0 to 13.0 at the skin surface, is applied to the skin in order to prevent or treat aging-related skin conditions such as wrinkles, dry skin, age spots, sun damage (particularly UV radiation-induced oxidative stress), blemishes, hyperpigmented skin, age spots, increased skin thickness, loss of skin elasticity and collagen content, dry skin, lentigines and melasmas. The cosmeceutically active base is either an inorganic base, such as an inorganic hydroxide, an inorganic oxide, or a metal salt of a weak acid, or an organic base, particularly a nitrogenous base such as may be selected from primary amines, secondary amines, tertiary amines, amides, oximes, nitrites, aromatic and non-aromatic nitrogen-containing heterocycles, urea, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A permeation enhancer composition is provided for increasing the permeability of skin or mucosal tissue to topically or transdermally administered pharmacologically or cosmeceutically active agents. The composition is comprised of a hydroxide-releasing agent and a lipophilic co-enhancer such as a fatty alcohol, a fatty ether, or a fatty acid ester, including fatty acid esters of polyols such as propylene glycol and glycerol. Also provided are pharmaceutical formulations containing a therapeutically effective amount of an active agent in addition to the aforementioned enhancer composition, methods for administering active agents topically or transdermally with enhanced permeation, and drug delivery systems for application to an individual's skin or mucosal tissue, wherein the systems are formulated so as to contain an active agent to be administered and an effective permeation enhancing amount of an enhancer composition of the invention.

Abstract: Provided are methods and topical pharmaceutical formulations for use in the treatment of warts. The invention involves the topical administration of a pharmacologically active base in a formulation having a pH of about 7.5 to about 13.0, preferably about 8.0 to 11.5, and most preferably about 8.5 to 10.5. These basic formulations can be used to treat human papilloma virus infections, particularly cutaneous warts.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and drug delivery systems are provided for the transdermal administration of a pharmacologically active amine. The active agent is administered with a hydroxide-releasing agent that serves as a permeation enhancer. Exemplary hydroxide-releasing agents are inorganic hydroxides, inorganic oxides, and alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salts of weak acids. Inorganic hydroxides include, for example, ammonium hydroxide, alkali metal hydroxides and alkaline earth metal hydroxides, such as sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and the like.

Abstract: Methods are provided for enhancing the permeability of skin or mucosal tissue to topical or transdermal application of local anesthetic agents. The methods entail the use of a base in order to increase the flux of the agent through a body surface while minimizing the likelihood of skin damage, irritation or sensitization. The permeation enhancer can be an inorganic or organic base. Compositions and transdermal systems are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the permeability of skin or mucosal tissue to transdermally administered nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The method involves use of a specified amount of a hydroxide-releasing agent, the amount optimized to increase the flux of the NSAID through a body surface while minimizing the likelihood of skin damage, irritation or sensitization. Formulations and drug delivery systems for co-administering a hydroxide-releasing agent with an NSAID are provided as well.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the transdermal administration of racemic phenylpropanolamine, i.e., a mixture of two or more of the four isomers of phenylpropanolamine, (+)-norephedrine, (−)-norephedrine, (+)-norpseudoephedrine, and (−)-norpseudoephedrine. Generally, the racemate will be a mixture of (+)-norephedrine and (−)-norephedrine. The racemic drug is administered along with a permeation enhancer. The permeation enhancer is preferably a basic compound, and optimally is a hydroxide-releasing agent such as sodium hydroxide.

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the permeability of skin or mucosal tissue to topically or transdermally administered pharmacologically or cosmeceutically active agents. The method involves use of a specified amount of a hydroxide-releasing agent, the amount optimized to increase the flux of the active agent through a body surface while minimizing the likelihood of skin damage, irritation or sensitization. Topically applied formulations and drug delivery devices employing hydroxide-releasing agents as permeation enhancers are provided as well.

Abstract: A permeation enhancer composition is provided for increasing the permeability of skin or mucosal tissue to topically or transdermally administered pharmacologically or cosmeceutically active agents. The composition is comprised of a hydroxide-releasing agent and a lipophilic co-enhancer such as a fatty alcohol, a fatty ether, or a fatty acid ester, including fatty acid esters of polyols such as propylene glycol and glycerol. Also provided are pharmaceutical formulations containing a therapeutically effective amount of an active agent in addition to the aforementioned enhancer composition, methods for administering active agents topically or transdermally with enhanced permeation, and drug delivery systems for application to an individual's skin or mucosal tissue, wherein the systems are formulated so as to contain an active agent to be administered and an effective permeation enhancing amount of an enhancer composition of the invention.

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the permeability of skin or mucosal tissue to a topically or transdermally administered pharmacologically or cosmeceutically active peptide, polypeptide or protein. The method involves use of a specified amount of a hydroxide-releasing agent, the amount optimized to increase the flux of the peptide, polypeptide or protein through a body surface while minimizing the likelihood of skin damage, irritation or sensitization. Formulations and drug delivery devices employing hydroxide-releasing agents as permeation enhancers are provided as well.

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the permeability of skin or mucosal tissue to transdermally administered oxybutynin. The method involves use of a specified amount of a hydroxide-releasing agent, the amount optimized to increase the flux of the drug through a body surface while minimizing the likelihood of skin damage, irritation or sensitization. Formulations, drug delivery systems and methods of treatment are provided as well.

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the permeability of skin or mucosal tissue to transdermally administered androgenic drugs. The method involves use of a specified amount of a hydroxide-releasing agent, the amount optimized to increase the flux of the androgenic drug through a body surface while minimizing the likelihood of skin damage, irritation or sensitization. Formulations and drug delivery systems for co-administering a hydroxide-releasing agent with an androgenic drug are provided as well.

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the permeability of skin or mucosal tissue to transdermally administered steroid drugs. The method involves use of a specified amount of a hydroxide-releasing agent, the amount optimized to increase the flux of the drug through a body surface while minimizing the likelihood of skin damage, irritation or sensitization. Formulations and drug delivery systems for co-administering a hydroxide-releasing agent with a steroid drug are provided as well. Optimally, the steroid drugs are a combination of an estrogen and progestin that may be administered in female hormone replacement therapy, to provide female contraception, and the like.

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the permeability of skin or mucosal tissue to a topically or transdermally administered pharmacologically or cosmeceutically active peptide, polypeptide or protein. The method involves use of a specified amount of a hydroxide-releasing agent, the amount optimized to increase the flux of the peptide, polypeptide or protein through a body surface while minimizing the likelihood of skin damage, irritation or sensitization. Formulations and drug delivery devices employing hydroxide-releasing agents as permeation enhancers are provided as well.