Abstract: An adhesive bilayer transdermal dosage system capable of sustained release of a pharmaceutically active drug to the skin of a human patient having a first component layer which is a pharmaceutically active drug-containing essentially planar sheet of an at least partially cross-linked acrylic adhesive. The planar sheet is formed of a flexible self-supporting cross-linked acrylate of sufficient adhesivity, durability and strength whereby intimate diffusional contact with the skin of the patient is maintained for a period of at least about 24 hours without destruction of the physical integrity of the sheet. The sheet is capable of retaining, dispersed therein, sufficient pharmaceutically active drug to deliver to the skin a pharmaceutically effective amount of the drug over a 24-hour period without dissolution of the at least partially crosss-linked acrylic adhesive. The system also contains a second component layer intimately adhered to one side of the first component layer.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical preparations comprised of a pharmaceutically active ingredient and a carrier which comprises a percutaneous penetration enhancer comprised of 2-ethyl-1, 3-hexanediol alone or in combination with oleic acid is disclosed. The 2-ethyl-1, 3-hexanediol may be present in an amount in the range of about 50% to 100% based on the weight of the carrier. The oleic acid may be used in combination with 2-ethyl-1, 3-hexanediol in an amount of about 1 to 40% based on the weight of the carrier to provide a synergistic effect with respect to percutaneous penetration enhancement. The compound 2-ethyl-1, 3-hexanediol as used alone and/or in combination with the oleic acid has been found to significantly enhance the delivery of a drug, to a patient, from a transdermal delivery system.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical preparations comprised of a pharmaceutically active ingredient and a carrier which comprises a percutaneous penetration enhancer comprised of 2-ethyl-1, 3-hexanediol alone or in combination with oleic acid is disclosed. The 2-ethyl-1, 3-hexanediol may be present in an amount in the range of about 50% to 100% based on the weight of the carrier. The oleic acid may be used in combination with 2-ethyl-1, 3-hexanediol in an amount of about 1 to 40% based on the weight of the carrier to provide a synergistic effect with respect to percutaneous penetration enhancement. The compound 2-ethyl-1, 3-hexanediol as used alone and/or in combination with the oleic acid has been found to significantly enhance the delivery of a drug, to a patient, from a transdermal delivery system.

Abstract: A controlled release potassium chloride tablet is disclosed which is comprised of potassium chloride crystals having a mesh size of about 30 to about 50 mesh which are coated with a coating material comprised of ethylcellulose and hydroxypropylcellulose. The coated crystals form micro pellets which then can be compressed into tablets. The tablets disintegrate rapidly in an aqueous environment thus assuring a more uniform dissolution of the active component as compared with other types of controlled release potassium chloride dosage formulations. The distribution of the potassium chloride micro pellets over a wide surface area in the gastrointestinal mucosa aids in reducing the risk of gastrointestinal lesions. The formation of the coated micro pellets which disperse quickly upon contact with aqueous environment allow for the repeated chronic oral administration of a relatively large dose of potassium chloride (20 mEq).

Abstract: This invention relates to sulfur-substituted phenylacetamides of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 may be the same or different and are H or CH.sub.3 ; R.sub.4 is SR.sub.5, ##STR2## R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 may be the same or different and are lower alkyl containing 1-4 carbon atoms and R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 may be taken together with S to form a 5-7 member ring; and X.sup.- is a pharmaceutically acceptable anion, which exhibit arrhythmia activity.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical preparations comprised of a pharmaceutically active ingredient and a carrier which comprises a percutaneous penetration enhancer comprised of 2-ethyl-1, 3-hexanediol alone or in combination with oleic acid is disclosed. The 2-ethyl-1, 3-hexanediol may be present in an amount in the range of about 50% to 100% based on the weight of the carrier. The oleic acid may be used in combination with 2-ethyl-1, 3-hexanediol in an amount of about 1 to 40% based on the weight of the carrier to provide a synergistic effect with respect to percutaneous penetration enhancement. The compound 2-ethyl-1, 3-hexanediol as used alone and/or in combination with the oleic acid has been found to significantly enhance the delivery of a drug, to a patient, from a transdermal delivery system.

Abstract: A device for iontophoretic delivery of active ingredient to a patient, that includes an electrode, a first cavity for holding a solution of at least partially active ingredient in ionizing form to be delivered to a patient, a member for maintaining a solution in the first cavity while allowing passage of active ingredient from the first cavity, and an ion exchange member separating the electrode and the first cavity for inhibiting the flow of ions having a charge similar to the charge of the ionized form of the active ingredient from the electrode means to the first cavity is disclosed. A method for iontophoretic delivery of active ingredients to a patient is also disclosed.

Abstract: A minipellet dosage form of prednisone or prednisolone, resistant to attack by saliva but readily dissolvable in gastric juice, which comprises a mixture of prednisone or prednisolone and polyvinylpyrrolidone coated onto a nonpareil seed, and further coated with a layer of dimethylaminoethyl and methyl methacrylate copolymer.

Abstract: Bronchospastic diseases characterized by airway hyperreactivity are treated by administration of the calcium channel blocker gallopamil. Unlike other calcium channel blockers, the effective dose of gallopamil is small enough that undesirable side effects are not present.

Abstract: An apparatus comprised of a canister having a valved opening thereon and containing, under pressure, heparin and a low boiling point propellant is disclosed. The valved opening can be activated to release a metered dose of aerosolized heparin to a patient or preferably to an inhalation device which improves efficiency with respect to the amount of heparin reaching the lungs of the patient.

Abstract: A means of aiding in the prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is disclosed. The means comprises administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of the drug 6-methylene-6-desoxy-N-cylopryplymethyl-14-hydroxydihydronormorphone to an infant determined to be susceptible to SIDS. The drug is preferably administered bi-daily via the GI tract. The drug attaches to the nerve receptor sites responsible for the actuation of respiration thus blocking the attachment of endogenous endorphins which, if present in high levels, prevents such actuation resulting in apnea and SIDS. A suppository containing the drug for use in carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sustained release quindine dosage form is made from a plurality of pellets. Each pellet includes a quinidine-containing coating over a nonpareil seed, with a further coating of about 5 to about 15% by weight of a mixture of about 1.5 to about 9 parts by weight ethylcellulose to about 1 part by weight hydroxypropylcellulose.

Abstract: A method of inducing short-term pupil diameter enlargement and reducing intraocular pressure in animals without significant systemic effects is disclosed. There is provided a site-specific chemical delivery method for topically applying to the eye of an animal, an effective ophthalmologically acceptable amount of an adrenalone diester of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R prepresents a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 straight alkyl group; and wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently represent an acyl group or derivative thereof; or an opthalmologically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. The method allows the pupil diameter to be enlarged for a short period after which the pupil returns to normal and thus restores normal eye sight.

Abstract: A dry sustained release oral dosage formulation of theophylline and a method of orally administering theophylline is disclosed. The oral formulation is comprised of a capsule which includes upper and lower parts which are connectible and easily separable from each other, and a plurality of micropellets present in the capsule. The micropellets provide sustained release of theophylline when taken by a patient and are comprised of inner seeds coated with a mixture of theophylline and polyvinylpyrrolidone which is further coated with a mixture of ethylcellulose and hydroxypropylcellulose. The oral dosage formulation is administered by separating the upper and lower parts of the capsule and placing the micropellets on a food which is preferably soft to the extent of not requiring chewing and then eating the food with the micropellets thereon.

Abstract: Sustained release dosage forms that provide transdermal delivery of drugs utilizing the skin as the rate controlling membrane for the drugs. Methods for producing the dosage forms are also disclosed. The dosage forms are laminates produced by heating a laminate to a glass transition temperature of an outer removable layer of the laminate. While maintaining the laminate at the glass transition temperature, a vacuum is applied to draw the laminate into a suitable shape for a drug reservoir. An aqueous solvent is added to the reservoir and a semipermeable barrier layer is placed over the aqueous solvent in the reservoir. A pharmaceutically active drug is contained in the aqueous reservoir and this drug moves transdermally to provide the active ingredient to the patient.

Abstract: A protective skin matrix is provided which is particularly suited for the protection of burned or wounded patients. The matrix may be either cured, applied in sheets, or painted or sprayed directly onto the burned or wounded patient. The protective skin matrix includes polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinylalcohol, and glycerol.

Abstract: A method of permitting restful sleep at high altitudes is disclosed involving administration to a patient susceptible to Cheyne-Stokes respiration of a pharmaceutically acceptable amount of an endorphin-blocking compound capable of blocking the action of endogenous endorphins, whereby sleep interruptions characteristic of Cheyne-Stokes respiration are alleviated. There is also disclosed a method of permitting a continuous flow of oxygen to the brain cells in a sleeping patient otherwise susceptible to repeated interruptions of breathing that would retard the necessary steady flow of oxygen to brain cells to maintain their viable condition, which comprises administration prior to retiring of a pharmaceutically acceptable amount of an endorphin-blocking compound capable of blocking the action of endogenous endorphins to substantially obviate sleep interruptions that otherwise would occur.

Abstract: A method for increasing cardiac contractility in a warm-blooded animal suffering from acutely depressed cardiac contractility which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or isobutyrate, or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof.

Abstract: A method of providing a patient suffering from cardiac arrhythmia with a sustained dosage of propranolol over a prolonged period of time comprises orally administering to the patient a tablet consisting essentially of a therapeutically effective amount of propranolol to provide a sustained release thereof over a prolonged period of time which is contained in compressed granules having from about 0.1 to about 10 parts by weight hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and about one part by weight hydroxypropyl cellulose and a lubricant for the compressed granules.

Abstract: A tablet, which readily disintegrates in gastric fluid to give aspirin crystals coated with a polymeric film preventing the aspirin crystals from contacting the stomach wall but not preventing access of gastric fluid to the aspirin contained within the polymer film, which consists of a plurality of aspirin crystals 20-60 mesh in size coated with about 3-10% by weight of a polymeric mixture comprising from about 1.5 to about 15 parts by weight ethylcellulose and about one part by weight hydroxypropylcellulose; a compression aid; a disintegrant; and a tableting aid.