Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preparing a physically stable and homogeneous powdered preparation containing particles of an active agent. The particles are suspended in a suspending agent in which the particles are insoluble, and the suspending agent is evaporated from the suspension. Physiologically acceptable additives such as a carrier may optionally be added to the suspension.

Abstract: A device for the controlled release over a prolonged period of time of a drug having antiprogestinic properties, the device including a core containing the drug, optionally a membrane encasing the core, where at least one of the core and membrane, when present, is made of a siloxane-based elastomer composition including at least one elastomer and optionally a non-crosslinked polymer. The device is characterized in that the elastomer composition includes poly(alkylene oxide) groups and that the poly(alkylene oxide) groups are present in the elastomer or polymer as alkoxy-terminated grafts of polysiloxane units, or as blocks, the grafts or blocks being linked to the polysiloxane units by silicon-carbon bonds, or as a mixture of these forms.

Abstract: The object of the invention are novel halogen substituted methylenebisphosphonic acid anhydrides, ester anhydrides, amide anhydrides, and ester amide anhydrides, processes for the preparation of these novel compounds, as well as pharmaceutical preparations comprising these novel compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a delivery device for the controlled release of the therapeutically active agent gestodene, over a prolonged period of time, at a release rate of 0,1-300 &mgr;g/day, said device comprising a core comprising at least said therapeutically active agent, and a membrane encasing said core wherein said membrane is made of an elastomer. According to the invention, the elastomer is a siloxane-based elastomer comprising 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl groups attached to the Si-atoms of the siloxane units, and the release rate of said therapeutically active agent of said delivery device is regulated by the amount of said 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl groups.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new polysiloxane-based block copolymer having a formula T(AB)xAT  (I) wherein A=—(SiR′R″O)nSiR′R″—, wherein R′ and R″ are the the same or different and represent a lower alkyl group or a phenyl group, wherein said alkyl or phenyl group may be substituted or unsubstituted; B is polyalkylene oxide of formula wherein R is hydrogen, lower alkyl, or phenyl; R1 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; y is 2-6; m is 1-30; n is 1-3000; and x is 0-100.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medicament chamber (6) included in an inhalation apparatus and provided with a container (2) containing a desiccant. The chamber (6) is tightly sealed and has a moisture permeability as poor as possible, and the container (2) is permeable to moisture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a delivery device for the controlled release of a therapeutically active agent, especially an androgen, over a prolonged period of time, said device including a core containing the therapeutically active agent, and a membrane encasing the core wherein the membrane is made of an elastomer. According to the invention, the elastomer is a siloxane-based elastomer which includes 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl groups attached to the Si-atoms of the siloxane units.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain optionally ring substituted pyridinylaminomethylidene bisophosphonic acid tetralkyl esters (I) and their use for the treatment of bone diseases, such as osteolytic bone diseases due to malignancy, Paget's disease and primary and secondary osteoporosis.

Abstract: A method of treating respiratory infections or complications derived therefrom in mammals, especially acute otitis media in humans, which includes administering to the mammal an effective amount of xylitol. The invention further concerns the use of xylitol for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of respiratory infections or complications derived therefrom in mammals. One or more therapeutically active agents may optionally be added to the pharmaceutical composition, which can be a solid preparation, such as chewing gum, a powder or tablet, or a liquid preparation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a delivery device for the controlled release of a therapeutically active agent, especially a progestin or an estrogen, over a prolonged period of time, said device including a core which contains the therapeutically active agent, and a membrane encasing the core wherein said membrane is made of an elastomer. According to the invention, the elastomer is a siloxane-based elastomer which includes 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl groups attached to the Si-atoms of the siloxane units.

Abstract: The invention relates to a siloxane-based elastomer intended for controlling the permeation of drugs, wherein the elastomer includes 3,3,3,-trifluoropropyl groups attached to the Si-atoms of the siloxane units.The invention relates also to a method for the preparation of a siloxane-based elastomer including 3,3,3,-trifluoropropyl substituents, where the elastomer is intended for controlling the permeation of drugs.In the method eitheri) a 3,3,3,-trifluoropropyl-substituted vinyl-functional polysiloxane component and a silicon hydride-functional crosslinking agent are crosslinked in the presence of a catalyst, orii) a 3,3,3,-trifluoropropyl-substituted polysiloxane component is crosslinked in the presence of a peroxide catalyst.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition containing a microemulsion made up of a hydrophilic component, a lipophilic component, a surfactant and a drug, where the hydrophilic component, the lipophilic component and the surfactant form, when examined on a macroscopic scale, a one-phase solution. The hydrophilic component is dispersed as colloidal droplets in the lipophilic component, or the lipophilic component is dispersed as colloidal droplets in the hydrophilic component. According to still another alternative, the hydrophilic and the lipophilic components form a microemulsion with bicontinuous structure where the components form elongated adjacent channels. The drug is dissolved in the dispersed component or, in the case of a microemulsion with bicontinuous structure, in the hydrophilic or the lipophilic component. The microemulsion is stabilized by means of the surfactant. It is characteristic that a gelatinizer and water are added to the microemulsion thereby bringing the microemulsion into a gel form.

Abstract: The invention is to a method for stimulating the production of fetal hemoglobin in a mammal having a hemoglobinopathy, comprising administering heme or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain optionally ring substituted pyridinylaminomethylidene bisphosphonic acid tetralkyl esters (I) and their use for the treatment of bone diseases, such as osteolytic bone diseases due to malignancy, Paget's disease and primary and secondary osteoporosis.

Abstract: An inserter for the positioning of an intrauterine device in the uterus, which inserter includes a plunger, a handle attached to the plunger, a string for the removal of the IUD, a locking device to lock the string in such a way that the IUD remains immobile in relation to the plunger, and a protective tube around the plunger. The protective tube is arranged in relation to the plunger in such a way that it can be pushed, at the forward end that goes into the uterus, past the plunger at distance (L) , which corresponds substantially to the length of the IUD assembled for insertion. The stop members ensure that the front edge of the protective tube is stopped in a configuration in which the hemispherical tips of the wings of the transverse member of a T-shaped IUD remain partly uncovered by the protective tube, but the wings nevertheless remain pressed against each other.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a process for preparing a clodronate preparation. The process is characterized in that clodronate is crystallized as disodium clodronate tetrahydrate from an aqueous solution of disodium clodronate; the resulting disodium clodronate tetrahydrate is dry granulated by compressing in such a way that the crystal structure of the disodium clodronate tetrahydrate is preserved and by crumbling and screening the mass to granules of a sutiable size, the dry granulated disodium clodronate tetrahydrate is optionally mixed with suitable excipients, such as filling agents and gliding agents and, if necessary, disintegrants.

Abstract: An endo-osteal material which includes an endo-osteal material treated with a solution of a bisphosphonate of formula (1) wherein X is H, OH, Cl, F or a methyl group and Y is Cl, OH, --(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --N(CH.sub.3)--(CH.sub.2).sub.4 --CH.sub.3, --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --CH.sub.3 or --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --NH.sub.2, where n is zero or an integer being 1 to 8, --NHZ, where Z is pyridinyl or cycloheptyl, SZ', where Z' is pyridinyl or chlorosubstituted phenyl or Y is a pyridinylsubstituted lower alkyl chain; or a non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof dissolved in an appropriate solvent.

Abstract: A new use of xylitol is disclosed. The invention relates to a method of treating respiratory infections, especially acute otitis media, in humans which method comprises oraly administering to the human an effective amount of xylitol.

Abstract: Intravaginal delivery system including a flexible support means, and a delivery means carried by the support means and containing an active agent wherein the support means comprises a core member substantially in the form of an open ring, and the delivery means comprises at least one polymer body which encircles the core member in a beltwise manner along a portion of a length of the core member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device intended for measuring a dose of powdered medicament for inhalation, including a medicament container (1), through which extends a shaft (3) provided with at least one dosage recess (5). Container (1) is provided with at least one flap-like sweeper element (4), resting on shaft (3) in alignment with the dosage recess and having one of its ends rotatable around shaft (3), the other end of said flap dragging along the shaft surface, whereafter said shaft (3) is displaceable in this longitudinal direction relative to container (1) so as to bring dosage recess (5), along with a dose of the medicament carried therein, outside container (1). The invention relates also to the measuring of a dose of powdered medicament for inhalation by using the device described above.