Abstract: The aim of the invention is to improve the moisture resistance of dry powder formulations for inhalation which contain a pharmaceutically ineffective carrier of not-inhalable particle size and a finely divided pharmaceutically active compound of inhalable particle size and to also improve the storage stability of said formulations. To this end, magnesium stearate is used in said formulations. One of the features of the inventive dry powder is that a high fine particle dosage or fine particle fraction can be maintained also under relatively extreme temperature and humidity conditions.

Abstract: A pressure-liquefied propellant mixture for aerosols, comprising dinitrogen monoxide and a hydrofluoroalkane having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, in particular 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and/or 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane, makes possible an improvement in the wetting properties of pharmaceutically active compounds, whereby the formulation problems existing with hydrofluoroalkanes can be overcome with respect to suspension and solution aerosols and thus improved medicinal aerosol formulations can be obtained. With the aid of dinitrogen monoxide, it is also possible to influence the pressure and thus the particle size distribution specifically and, by displacement of oxygen from the hydrofluoroalkanes, to improve the storage stability of oxidation-sensitive active compounds. If desired, the propellant mixture can additionally contain carbon dioxide.

Abstract: The use of solid, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of cromoglycic acid and/or nedocromil as carriers in a therapeutically and prophylactically inefficacious amount in suspension aerosol formulations of pharmaceutical active compounds improves the dispersion properties, increases the chemical and physical stability of moisture-sensitive active compounds, makes possible a more accurate dosage, in particular even of low-dose active compounds, and as a rule permits the abandonment of surface-active agents.

Abstract: A pressure-liquefied propellant mixture for aerosols, comprising a fluorinated alkane, in particular 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and/or 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane, and carbon dioxide, makes possible an improvement of the wetting properties of pharmaceutically active compounds, with which the formulation problems existing with hydrofluoroalkanes in relation to suspension as well as solution aerosols can be overcome and thus improved medicinal aerosol formulations can be obtained. With the aid of carbon dioxide, it is also possible to specifically influence the pressure and thus the particle size distribution and also by displacement of oxygen from the hydrofluoroalkanes to improve the storage stability of oxidation-sensitive active compounds.

Abstract: An inhaler for multiple dosed administration of a pharmacological dry powder consists externally of a housing (100,150) and of a protective cap (950) which can be removed from a special mouthpiece (900) fitted on the housing. Arranged on the inside there are a slide rail (200), a dosing slide (300), a shutter (400), a carriage (500), a funnel arrangement (600), a counter device (700), a valve shield (800) and a valve guide (850). Removal of the protective cap (950) initiates the dosing, with a dose received in the dosing cavity (302) being transported to the mouth-piece (900) by means of the dosing slide (300). Only upon application of a defined minimum intensity of inhalation is the shutter (400) moved by the suctioned valve shield (800), as a result of which the dose is released for inhalation. Completed with an electronic module and a controllable nozzle, all inhalation-relevant data can be recorded and the flow conditions regulated.

Abstract: Ursodeoxycholic acid amides of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is --CH.sub.2 --SO.sub.3 H or --COOH and R' is --H and --(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --CONH, --CH.sub.2 --CONH.sub.2, --(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --SCH.sub.3 or --CH.sub.2 --S--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --COOH, and their salts with inorganic and organic pharmaceutically active bases, are useful in the treatment of altered biligenetic functions and lithiasis or dyskinesia of the biliary ducts.

Abstract: Thioesters of ursodeoxycholic acid of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R represents --H, --CH.sub.3 or --COOH, and R.sub.1 represents ##STR2## are useful in the treatment of altered biligenetic functions, lithiasis or dyskinesia of the biliary ducts. The esters are prepared by reacting the mixed anhydride of ursodeoxycholic acid with an alkyl or phenyl chloroformate with the appropriate mercaptan.