Abstract: A method of transdermally or transmucosally delivering a hydrophilic salt form of a drug with a water-based pressure sensitive hydrophobic adhesive matrix patch optionally containing a permeation enhancer is disclosed. A matrix patch comprising a water-based pressure sensitive hydrophobic adhesive, a hydrophilic salt form of a drug, and optionally a permeation enhancer for transdermal or transmucosal delivery of the hydrophilic salt form of the drug is also disclosed.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery system which enhances the delivery of the drug comprises a composition containing, as an enhancer, one or more C.sub.6 to C.sub.22 fatty acid esters of a lactic acid salt. These compositions are made up of a safe and effective amount of an active pharmaceutical permeant contained in a penetration-enhancing vehicle comprising, 0.25 to 50% w. of the fatty acid ester of a lactic acid salt enhancer in a suitable pressure sensitive adhesive carrier vehicle formed from and aqueous emulsion based pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery system which enhances the delivery of the drug comprises a composition containing, as an enhancer, one or more C.sub.6 to C.sub.22 fatty acid esters of glycolic acid and its salts. These compositions are made up of a safe and effective amount of an active pharmaceutical permeant contained in a penetration-enhancing vehicle comprising, 0.25 to 50% w. of the fatty acid glycolic acid ester enhancer in a suitable carrier vehicle. These fatty acid glycolic acid ester enhancers may be used in various carrier vehicles to enhance the transdermal delivery of active permeants in either free form or used in an occlusive device, particularly in a transdermal patch in matrix or reservoir form. When used in matrix patch form, the fatty acid glycolic acid ester enhancers and permeants are incorporated into a biocompatible adhesive.

Abstract: Drug delivery systems and methods for administering a glucagon-like insulinotropic peptide to the buccal mucosa for transmucosal drug delivery are described. The drug delivery systems comprise a drug composition containing an effective amount of the glucagon-like insulinotropic peptide and an effective amount of a permeation enhancer for enhancing permeation of glucagon-like insulinotropic peptide through the buccal mucosa and means for maintaining the drug composition in a drug transferring relationship with buccal mucosa. These systems can be in free form, such as creams, gels, and ointments, or can comprise a device of determined physical form, such as tablets, patches, and troches. A preferred glucagon-like insulinotropic peptide is GLP-1(7-36)amide.

Abstract: A composition for transmucosally administering a drug to the oral cavity comprises an adhesive layer comprising a hydrophilic polymer having one surface adapted to contact a first tissue of the oral cavity and adhere thereto when wet and an opposing surface in contact with and adhering to an adjacent drug-containing layer comprising an effective amount of a drug and optionally an effective amount of a permeation enhancer, wherein the drug-containing layer is adapted to contact and be in drug transfer relationship with a mucosal tissue of the oral cavity when the adhesive layer contacts and adheres to the first tissue. Preferred drugs include peptides, such as glucagon-like insulinotropic peptides. A method of transmucosally administering a drug to the oral cavity is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition and method for enhancing transdermal penetration of a basic drug are described. The composition comprises a matrix patch comprising an effective amount of a basic drug, preferably having a pK.sub.a of about 8.0 or greater, an effective amount of a penetration enhancer consisting essentially of triacetin, and a polymer layer preferably comprising a pressure-sensitive adhesive. A preferred basic drug is oxybutynin and acid addition salts thereof. The method for enhancing transdermal penetration comprises applying the matrix patch to a selected area of skin.

Abstract: A matrix type transdermal patch for coadministering estradiol and another steroid wherein the matrix is composed of a N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone-containing acrylic copolymer pressure sensitive adhesive, estradiol, the other steroid, and optionally a permeation enhancer, and the respective fluxes of estradiol and the other steroid from the matrix are independent of the respective concentrations of the other steroid and estradiol in the matrix.

Abstract: A stabilized patch device for transdermal drug delivery of steroid drugs containing a 3-keto-4-en functional group is described, wherein the patch comprises an effective amount of the steroid drug and a carrier that is free of acid functional groups. The device can further contain additives such as a penetration enhancer or excipient, so long as such additives are also free of acid functional groups. The device can be either a matrix patch or a liquid reservoir patch. In a matrix patch, the carrier is a biocompatible polymeric adhesive with which the steroid drug is intimately admixed. The adhesive is preferably an acrylic polymer or copolymer. In a liquid reservoir patch, the carrier is a controlled-viscosity composition containing a thinner or thickener. Preferred steroid drugs include certain corticosteroids and sex hormones, such as progestins and androgens. A method of stabilizing such steroid drugs during storage in transdermal patches is also disclosed.

Abstract: Drug delivery systems and methods for administering a glucagon-like insulinotropic peptide to the buccal mucosa for transmucosal drug delivery are described. The drug delivery systems comprise a drug composition containing an effective amount of the glucagon-like insulinotropic peptide and an effective amount of a permeation enhancer for enhancing permeation of glucagon-like insulinotropic peptide through the buccal mucosa and means for maintaining the drug composition in a drug transferring relationship with with buccal mucosa. These systems can be in free form, such as creams, gels, and ointments, or can comprise a device of determined physical form, such as tablets, patches, and troches. A preferred glucagon-like insulinotropic peptide is GLP-1(7-36)amide.

Abstract: Patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease are treated by transdermally administering an effective amount of propentofylline in the form of an occulsive device containing a delivery composition comprising a carrier vehicle having uniformly distributed therein effective amounts of propentofylline and, optionally, a penetration enhancer. The occulsive device may be a matrix type patch in which the carrier vehicle is a pressure sensitive adhesive or a reservoir type patch in which the carrier vehicle is a liquid of controlled viscosity, i.e. a gel, wherein the reservoir system contains means for maintaining it in a propentofylline transferring relationship with the derma when applied. Daily dosages of between about 5 and 49 mg/day are sufficient to maintain adequate plasma propentofylline levels.

Abstract: A polymeric delivery system which is formed by a polycarbophil type composition with an active agent, optionally in the presence of water and/or other cosolvent. The resulting product is especially useful as a carrier or coating of active compositions, such as pharmaceuticals and the like. The composition is also useful for the controlled or sustained release of active agents that are drugs, cosmetic agents, household agents, agricultural agents, industrial chemical agents and nutritional agents. A composition and method for the treatment of xerostomia is also disclosed, comprising polycarbophil in the form of an article having a shape suitable for insertion into the mouth.

Abstract: A device for administering an active agent to the skin or mucosa of an individual comprising a laminated composite of an adhesive overlay, a backing layer underlying the central portion of the adhesive overlay, an active agent-permeable membrane, the backing layer and membrane defining a reservoir that contains a formulation of the active agent, a peel seal disc underlying the active agent-permeable membrane, a heat seal about the periphery of the peel seal disc, the active agent-permeable membrane and the backing layer and a removable release liner underlying the exposed overlay and peel seal disc. The adhesive layer is above and peripheral to the path of the active agent to the skin or mucosa and is protected from degradation by the components of the reservoir by a multiplicity of heat seals. The peel seal disc protects against release of the active agent-containing reservoir and the release liner protects the adhesive from exposure to the environment prior to use.

Abstract: A method for making a transdermal drug delivery device for heat sensitive and volatile drugs is disclosed. The device contains a drug-containing adhesive composite layer having an impermeable backing material laminated to the distal surface thereof and a proximal peelable impermeable backing material adapted for removal for administering a drug to the skin or mucosa laminated to the proximal surface thereof. The method comprising the steps of providing first and second adhesive laminates each comprising a drug permeable adhesive layer having laminated to one surface one of said backing materials and having the opposing surface exposed.

Abstract: A composition and method for enhancing transdermal penetration of a basic drug are described. The composition comprises a matrix patch comprising an effective amount of a basic drug, preferably having a pK.sub.a of about 8.0 or greater, an effective amount of penetration enhancer consisting essentially of triacetin, and a polymer later preferably comprising a pressure-sensitive adhesive. A preferred basic drug is oxybutynin and acid addition salts thereof. The method for enhancing transdermal penetration comprises applying the matrix patch to a selected area of skin.

Abstract: A method is described for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis by providing a recombinant antigen (RAMA) and detecting rheumatoid arthritis-associated IgM antibodies against the RAMA antigen in patient sera. The RAMA antigen comprises SEQ ID NO:3 and peptides substantially homologous thereto. A purified and isolated DNA encoding the RAMA antigen and a transformed host containing the DNA are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for mucosally administering a macromolecular drug to mucosa of the oral cavity is shown. The system comprises an inner drug/enhancer/polymer layer having one surface adapted to contact and adhere to the mucosal tissue of the oral cavity and an opposing surface in contact with and adhering to an overlying inert layer. The inner layer contains from about two to sixty percent by weight of a bile salt enhancer, five to sixty five percent by weight of a hydrophilic polymer which is water soluble or swellable and an effective amount of a macromolecular drug having a molecular weight of at least 500 daltons. Polysaccharides, polypeptides and proteins are preferred forms of macromolecular drugs. The bile salt enhancer facilitates the delivery of macromolecules such as low molecular weight heparin and calcitonin. The polymer serves as a plasticizer to prevent the crystallization and/or aggregation of such macromolecular drugs. Hydroxypropyl cellulose is a particularly suitable polymer.

Abstract: A method of providing testosterone replacement therapy to a woman in need of such therapy comprising applying a testosterone-delivering patch to the skin of said woman which patch transdermally delivers 50 to 500 .mu.g/day of testosterone to the woman.

Abstract: An iontophoresis device comprising a drug reservoir containing the drug in ionic form and in communication with the skin, a skin permeation enhancing agent contained in the reservoir or in a second reservoir also in communication with the skin, an electrode in contact with the drug, another electrode in contact with the skin, a D.C. power source connected to the electrodes and an electrically sensitive membrane interposed between the reservoir and the skin that is impermeable to drug in the absence of a voltage difference between the electrodes and permeable to the drug in the presence of a voltage difference. The skin permeation enhancing agent eliminates the skin as a rate-controlling element, thus making the rate of drug administration dependent upon the membrane permeability, which in turn is controlled electrically.

Abstract: A method is described for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis by providing a recombinant IgM-specific rheumatoid arthritis-associated antigen and detecting antibodies against the antigen in patient sera. Preliminary steps of making a cDNA library from polyadenylated RNA purified from human cells, selecting recombinants that express the antigen, recloning cDNA containing the antigen gene in a high level expression vector, expressing the antigen in transformed cells, and purifying the antigen are also described.

Abstract: A method and system for mucosally administering a macromolecular drug to mucosa of the oral cavity is shown. The system comprises an inner drug/enhancer/polymer layer having one surface adapted to contact and adhere to the mucosal tissue of the oral cavity and an opposing surface in contact with and adhering to an overlying inert layer. The inner layer contains from about two to sixty percent by weight of a bile salt enhancer, five to sixty five percent by weight of a hydrophilic polymer which is water soluble or swellable and an effective amount of a macromolecular drug having a molecular weight of at least 500 daltons. Polysaccharides, polypeptides and proteins are preferred forms of macromolecular drugs. The bile salt enhancer facilitates the delivery of macromolecules such as low molecular weight heparin and calcitonin. The polymer serves as a plasticizer to prevent the crystallization and/or aggregation of such macromolecular drugs. Hydroxypropyl cellulose is a particularly suitable polymer.