Abstract: A trinitroglycerol-containing substantially disaccharide-free polymeric diffusion matrix is provided for the transdermal systemic delivery of trinitroglycerol through the skin of a patient. The polymeric diffusion matrix contains sufficient trinitroglycerol to be released over a prolonged period of time and comprises a first lower molecular weight, partially hydrolyzed polyvinylalcohol component, a second higher molecular weight, essentially fully hydrolyzed polyvinylalcohol component, and glycerol.

Abstract: An improved Wittig reaction for making 6-desoxy-6-methylenenaloxone and 6-desoxy-6-methylenenaltrexone from naloxone and naltrexone utilizing an alkoxide base in an ethereal solvent.

Abstract: A method is provided for orally treating a patient suffering from senile dementia which comprises the periodic oral delivery of a pharmaceutically effective amount of 6-methylene-6-desoxy-N-cyclopropylmethyl-14-hydroxydihydronormorphone to said patient, whereby the patient tends to reduce his food intake. Also provided is an oral sustained release dosage unit form suitable for treating a patient suffering from obesity which permits a prolonged interval between administration to said patient, said oral dosage unit formulation comprising a plurality of granules which together constitute a pharmaceutically effective amount of 6-methylene-6-desoxy-N-cyclopropylmethyl-14-hydroxydihydronormorphone to provide a sustained action over said prolonged interval, said plurality of granules each comprising a polymeric matrix to permit a substantially even release of said 6-methylene-6-desoxy-N-cyclopropylmethyl-14-hydroxydihydronormorphone to permit the necessary sustained release over the prolonged period of time.

Abstract: A sustained release aspirin dosage form permits the continuous delivery of aspirin into the gastrointestinal tract for a period of at least eight hours. The sustained release aspirin dosage form comprises a plurality of polymerically coated aspirin crystals each of which comprises an aspirin seed. The majority of aspirin seeds have a mesh size of from about 30 to about 60 mesh. Each of the aspirin seeds is individually coated with a polymeric mixture, which comprises from about 1.5 to about 15 parts by weight ethylcellulose and about one part by weight hydroxypropylcellulose.

Abstract: Compounds the structural formula ##STR1## or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, wherein X is H or CH.sub.3, Z is NH.sub.2 or OR.sub.6, R.sub.1 is a C.sub.1-8 alkyl, C.sub.3-6 -cycloalkylmethyl, or phenyl-C.sub.1-2 alkyl group,R.sub.2 is hydrogen, hydroxy, chloro or fluoro,R.sub.3 is hydrogen, hydroxy, methoxy, --OCO--(C.sub.1-6 -alkyl) or morpholinoethoxy,R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 may be the same or different and are H or C.sub.1-6 alkyl,R.sub.6 is H, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.3-5 alkenyl, C.sub.3-7 cycloalkyl phenyl, or phenyl substituted by one to three alkyl groups with a total of 4 carbon atoms are useful opiod antagonists.

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 and an apparatus for administering a drug through a breathing passage for absorption on the mucous tissue of a patient includes introducing an aerosol of the drug into an expanded bag and bidirectional channel for communicating the drug with the breathing passage of the patient and otherwise is substantially impervious to the passage of air, collapsing the expanded bag while the bidirectional channel for communicating with the breathing passage is in position to deliver the drug into the breathing passage of the patient. A signal in a bidirectional channel indicates when the rate of passage of the drug exceeds a desirable limit, whereby the patient taking the drug is reminded to decrease the rate of collapse of the airbag, thereby maximizing drug utilization.

Abstract: Psoriasis is systemically treated by the administration of a salicylate which is capable of inhibiting the endogenous lipoxygenase present in psoriatic plaque fluid without the inhibition of the cyclooxygenase enzyme.

Abstract: A method of orally treating a child having a tendency to be overactive to the extent of requiring an external control which comprises orally administering to said child a pharmaceutically effective amount of (-)-17-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4,5-alpha-epoxy-3,14-dihydroxymorpinan-6-one to said patient, whereby the attention span of the child lengthened. An oral sustained release dosage unit containing (-)-17-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4,5-alpha-epoxy-3,14-dihydroxymorpinan-6-one is disclosed also.

Abstract: A self-supporting polymeric diffusion matrix provides for the sustained release of propranolol in order to deliver said propranolol to a patient. The matrix comprises from about 1 to about 60% by weight of a polar plasticizer, from about 5 to about 20% by weight polyvinylalcohol having a molecular weight from about 50,000 to about 150,000, from about 10 to about 25% by weight polyvinylalcohol having a molecular weight from about 4,000 to about 15,000, from about 2 to about 30% by weight polyvinylpyrrolidone, and a pharmaceutically effective amount of the propanolol to provide a sustained release of said propranolol over a prolonged period.

Abstract: There is disclosed a polymeric diffusion matrix for the sustained release of chlorpheniramine maleate by transdermal delivery to a patient wherein the matrix comprises a polar plasticizer, polyvinylalcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and a pharmaceutically effective amount of chlorpheniramine maleate.

Abstract: A polymeric diffusion matrix is provided comprising from about 2 to about 60% glycerol, from about 2 to about 15% polyvinylalcohol, from about 2 to about 10% water soluble polymer with hydration sites which in combination with the remaining ingredients yields a matrix capable of sustained release of a drug dispersed therein, and the balance water, the percentages being by weight.

Abstract: A polymeric diffusion matrix is provided comprising from about 2 to about 60% glycerol, from about 2 to about 15% polyvinylalcohol, from about 2 to about 10% water soluble polymer with hydration sites which in combination with the remaining ingredients yields a matrix capable of sustained release of a drug dispersed therein, and the balance water, the percentages being by weight.

Abstract: A self-supporting polymeric diffusion matrix provides for the sustained release of propranolol in order to deliver the propranolol to a patient. The matrix comprises from about 1 to about 60% of a polar plasticizer, from about 6 to about 30% by weight polyvinylalcohol, from about 2 to about 30% by weight polyvinylpyrrolidone, and a pharmaceutically effective amount of propranolol to provide a sustained release of propranolol over a prolonged period.

Abstract: This invention provides an aqueous mixture capable of being sprayed onto the leaves of plants and being cured in situ on the leaves. The thus cured mixture comprises polyvinylalcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone. The cured mixture is capable of the sustained release of an active ingredient contained therein.

Abstract: Provided is a method of orally treating a child having a tendency to be overactive to the extent of requiring an external control which comprises orally administering to said child a pharmaceutically effective amount of 6-methylene-6-desoxy-N-cyclopropylmethyl-14-hydroxydihydronormorphone to said patient, whereby the patient tends to reduce his food intake.

Abstract: A capsule for housing pellets is disclosed having two members, the first with a raised portion and the second with a connecting groove and an annular groove for interconnection with the raised portion to secure the two members together.

Abstract: A polymeric diffusion matrix for the sustained release, intravaginal administration of an estrogen is provided. The matrix consists of polyvinylalcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone and a polar plasticizer.

Abstract: A sustained release oral dosage form is provided comprising a tablet core containing a pharmaceutically effective amount of quinidine. The tablet core is coated with a sustained release polymeric coating which contains about 5 to about 20 percent by weight polyethylene glycol component having a molecular weight of from about 500 to about 200, and from about 80 to 95 percent by weight polyvinylalcohol component. The polyvinylalcohol component comprises from about one to about ten parts by weight of a partially hydrolyzed polyvinylalcohol subcomponent having a degree of hydrolysis of from about 75 to about 92 percent and about one part by weight of a substantially completely hydrolyzed polyvinylalcohol subcomponent having a degree of hydrolysis in excess of 95%.

Abstract: Propranolol is delivered orally in a sustained release dosage form. The dosage form is for oral administration and comprises a core containing the drug and a coating of an expandable lattice, said expandable lattice permitting the passage of water therethrough but which under conditions of high pressure is expanded to a state whereby molecules of the drug are permitted to pass therethrough, said expandable lattice retaining its structural integrity, said dosage form when contacted with the aqueous medium of the gastrointestinal tract taking up water in said core through passage of water through said expandable lattice, whereby an osmotic pressure is built up causing said expandable lattice to expand responsive to said osmotic pressure, the drug being permitted to escape through the resultant expanded lattice structure of said expandable lattice.