Abstract: The present invention provides fat-binding polymers, which comprise dialkanolamine, dialkanolammonium, aminoalkylpolyol, and ammoniumalkylpolyol pendant groups for subjects in need of fat removal from the gastrointestinal tract, particularly subjects suffering from steatorrhea and/or experiencing side effects from lipase inhibitors. Patients being administered with lipase inhibitors are typically being treated for Type II Diabetes, streatorrhea, and hypertriglyceridemia. The fat binding polymers of this invention are also suitable for use with obese subjects.

Abstract: Disclosed are ionene polymers having antimicrobial activity. “Ionene polymers” as used in this invention are cationic polymers in which a substantial proportion of the atoms providing the positive charge are quaternized nitrogens located in the main polymeric chain or backbone of the polymer rather than in pendant groups. Also disclosed are antimicrobial compositions comprising ionene polymers and methods for treating microbial infections in mammals comprising the step of administering to a mammal, a therapeutically effective amount of at least one antimicrobial composition of the invention. Also disclosed are antimicrobial compositions comprising at least one ionene polymer and methods for preventing, inhibiting or eliminating the growth, dissemination, and/or the accumulation of microorganisms on a susceptible surface (including, but not limited to, the formation of biofilms on a susceptible surface) comprising the step of contacting such surface with a composition of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for sequestering bile acids in a patient and to particular polymers for use in the method. The invention further relates to a method for reducing blood cholesterol, treating atherosclerosis, treating hypercholesterolemia and/or reducing plasma lipid content of a mammal. The methods of the invention comprise orally administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a polymer characterized by a polyether backbone and amino or ammonium groups pendant therefrom. The amino nitrogen atoms can be substituted by one or more substituents independently selected from among substituted and unsubstituted, normal, branched and cyclic alkyl groups, and aryl groups. When the polymer comprises pendant ammonium or quaternary ammonium groups, the polymer will be associated with a pharmaceutically acceptable anion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of inhibiting a toxin in an animal, such as a human, by administering to the animal a therapeutically effective amount of a polymer having a plurality of pendant acid functional groups which are directly attached to the polymer backbone or attached to the polymer backbone by a spacer group. The spacer group can have a length in the range from 0 to about 20 atoms. The toxin is, typically, an exotoxin secreted by a pathogenic microorganism, such as a bacterium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of inhibiting a toxin in an animal, such as a human, by administering to the animal a therapeutically effective amount of a polymer having a plurality of pendant acid functional groups which are directly attached to the polymer backbone or attached to the polymer backbone by a spacer group. The spacer group can have a length in the range from 0 to about 20 atoms. The toxin is, typically, an exotoxin secreted by a pathogenic microorganism, such as a bacterium.

Abstract: A method of using ionene polymers for the treatment of mucositis and oral mucositis in mammals is provided. The method comprises administering to a mammal an effective amount of an ionene polymer to prophylactically or therapeutically treat mucositis.

Abstract: Phosphate-binding polymers are provided for removing phosphate from the gastrointestinal tract. The polymers are orally administered, and are useful for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia.

Abstract: A method for treating gout and/or reducing serum uric acid levels in a patient is disclosed that includes administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of an amine polymer; for example, an aliphatic amine polymer. Examples of polymers useful in the invention are sevelamer hydrogen chloride and colesevelam.

Abstract: A method for treating hyperglycemia and/or reducing serum glucose levels in a patient that includes administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of an amine polymer is disclosed. In one embodiment, the amine polymer is aliphatic. Examples of polymers useful in an embodiment of the invention include sevelamer hydrogen chloride and colesevelam.

Abstract: A method for reducing copper levels in a patient and for treating copper toxicosis and Wilson's Disease is disclosed that includes administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of an amine polymer, wherein the amine polymer is substantially water-insoluble or non-absorbent in the gastrointestinal tract. In one embodiment, the amine polymer is aliphatic. Examples of polymers that are useful in an embodiment of the invention include sevelamer hydrogen chloride and colesevelam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions including pharmaceutical compositions and treatment regimens for preventing or treating a microbial infection in a mammal, such as a human, by administering to the mammal, a therapeutically effective amount of a polymer and a therapeutically effective amount of an antibacterial agent.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving vascular access in a patient in need thereof by administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of at least one amine polymer. Cross-linked polyallylamine polymers are particularly efficacious.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a stable polyallylamine hydrochloride polymer in which between about 4% to about 12% by weight of the polymer is a chloride anion and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for treating hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis, and reducing serum cholesterol in a mammal. The methods of the invention comprise administering to a mammal a first amount of a bile acid sequestrant compound which is an unsubstituted polydiallylamine polymer and a second amount of a cholesterol-lowering agent. The first and second amounts together comprise a therapeutically effective amount.

Abstract: A method for treating pathogenic toxins in a mammal, such as a human, comprising treating the mammal with a therapeutically effective amount of a polymer comprising a cationic group attached to the polymer backbone. The polymer can be a homopolymer or a copolymer. In one embodiment, the polymer is a copolymer comprising a monomer having a pendant ammonium group and a hydrophobic monomer.

Abstract: A method for treating a microbial infection in a mammal, such as a human, comprising treating the mammal with a therapeutically effective amount of a polymer comprising an amino group or an ammonium group attached to the polymer backbone via an aliphatic spacer group. The polymer can be a homopolymer or a copolymer. In one embodiment, the polymer is a copolymer comprising a monomer having a pendant ammonium group and a hydrophobic monomer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing bile salts from a patient in need thereof and compositions useful in the method. The method comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a salt of an alkylated and crosslinked polymer. The alkylated and crosslinked polymer salt comprises the reaction product of crosslinked polymers, or salts and copolymers thereof having amine containing repeat units, with at least one aliphatic alkylating agent.

Abstract: A method for removing bile salts from a patient that includes administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a non-absorbable amine polymer characterized by a repeat unit having the formula: and salts thereof, where n is a positive integer and x is zero or an integer between 1 and about 4.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing bile salts from a patient in need thereof and compositions useful in the method. The method comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a salt of an alkylated and crosslinked polymer. The alkylated and crosslinked polymer salt comprises the reaction product of crosslinked polymers, or salts and copolymers thereof having amine containing repeat units, with at least one aliphatic alkylating agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of inhibiting a toxin in an animal, such as a human, by administering to the animal a therapeutically effective amount of a polymer having a plurality of pendant acid functional groups which are directly attached to the polymer backbone or attached to the polymer backbone by a spacer group. The spacer group can have a length in the range from 0 to about 20 atoms. The toxin is, typically, an exotoxin secreted by a pathogenic microorganism, such as a bacterium.