Abstract: A transdermal formulation of dihydropyridine calcium antagonists and specifically nifedipine, nimodipine and nitrendipine. The calcium antagonists are dispersed in a mixed liquid. The mixed liquid comprises varying mole fractions of cis-oleic acid and dimethylisosorbide dispersed in a polypropylene glycol base.

Abstract: Transdermal administration of olanzapine and pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof is described. The method involves treating an individual suffering from or susceptible to psychosis, acute mania or mild anxiety states, particularly those afflicted with schizophrenia or schizophreniform illnesses, by administering olanzapine or a salt thereof through the skin or mucosal tissue, for a time period and at an administration rate effective to alleviate the symptoms of the disease. Pharmaceutical formulations and drug delivery systems for administering olanzapine are provided as well.

Abstract: This invention provides a dietary fatty acid salt product in granulated form which optionally contains one or more additional nutrient or medicament ingredients. The dietary product can function as a rumen bypass animal feed supplement, and permit a beneficial increase in the nutrient fat content of the feed. An important aspect of the invention is the encapsulation of the granules with a polymeric coating which functions as an impermeable barrier to one or more volatile organic compounds contained in the core matrix.

Abstract: A skin patch is disclosed for usage in the delivery of a contactant to human skin for the purpose of treating medical conditions responsive to contact immunotherapy. The skin patch specifically induces a cell-mediated contact dermatitis in the treatment of skin disorders. Its anticipated use pertains to treatment of human papilloma virus infections, or warts. In a first embodiment, a pressure activated single chambered skin patch is topically applied and used for controlled release of contactant to human skin. In a second embodiment, a pressure activated two chambered skin patch is topically applied and used for controlled release of a contactant to human skin. Alternatively, a single chambered skin patch is topically applied and hydrated by the contacted skin for release of contactant. In addition, a flared shroud region can be provided between the containment portion of the shroud and a surrounding adhesive flange to enlarge the area treated upon release of the contactant.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a method and device is provided for administering therapeutically effective doses of the drug azospirone transdermally for treating psychogenic symptomatologies. One embodiment of the present invention comprises an effective amount of solubilized azospirone in a transdermal drug delivery device. By practicing the present invention, constant blood concentrations of azospirone can be maintained over a prolonged period of time, side effects can be minimized with maximal patient compliance.

Abstract: A method of aiding in the reduction of the incidence of tobacco smoking which comprises, in one embodiment, the application of a nicotine containing dermally applicable patch such that the nicotine in the patch is allowed to transdermally migrate into the bloodstream at a rate sufficient to correspond to the nicotine level in the blood achieved by tobacco smoking. Simultaneously therewith, the method involves the oral application of a low concentration nicotine aerosol spray having a selected droplet size and selected concentration of nicotine. In another embodiment, the invention resides in the use of the transdermal application of nicotine alone and in a further embodiment, the method resides in the use of the low concentration nicotine aerosol spray alone. Further, a device for applying the low dose nicotine aerosol spray is also provided.

Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed comprising an injection-molded housing member free of organic solvents.

Abstract: An osmotic device that, following the imbibement of water vapor, provides for the controlled release of a beneficial agent to an aqueous environment. The device comprises a hydrophilic formulation including a beneficial agent, and if needed, an osmagent, surrounded by a wall. The wall is formed at least in part of a semipermeable hydrophobic membrane having an average pore size between about 0.1 .mu.m and 30 .mu.m. The pores are substantially filled with a gas phase. The hydrophobic membrane is permeable to water in the vapor phase and the hydrophobic membrane is impermeable to an aqueous medium at a pressure less than about 100 Pa. The beneficial agent is released, for example, by osmotic pumping or osmotic bursting upon imbibement of sufficient water vapor into the device core.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a cigarette substitute for administering a dose of nicotine. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a nicotine-containing dosage-form comprising a holder member which may be used as part of an effective smoking cessation program or in situations where smoking is undesirable or not permitted. The dosage form is configured as a dosage form having a nicotine-containing composition attached to a holder member. Nicotine is released from the dosage form and absorbed through the intra-oral mucosal surfaces as the nicotine-containing composition releases nicotine within a user's mouth. The holder member facilitates insertion and removal of the dosage form into and out of a user's mouth. The user can selectively insert and remove the dosage form as desired to selectively control the release of nicotine.

Abstract: A therapeutic system for supplying active substances to the skin consists of a backing layer remote from the skin, with at least one active substance depot. The depot may consist of a fluid active substance or a fluid composition comprising an active substance delivery control matrix. There is also included an adhesive fixing device for fixing the therapeutic system on the skin. The therapeutic system is characterized in that the active substance depots (14) consist of at least one adjuvant having a supporting and distributing function by being provided with a planar textile material completely surrounded by matrix (12).

Abstract: A controlled release transdermal system for the delivery of at least one therapeutic agent comprises: a reservoir comprising (a) the therapeutic agent in ionized form and (b) a pH adjusting agent which upon uptake of water is converted to a buffer solution and (c) a cyclized polysaccharide selected from a group consisting of cyclodextrin, cyclodextrin derivative and cyclodextrin polymer, the cyclized polysaccharide being capable of improving the solubility of the therapeutic agent in the buffer solution by forming an inclusion complex with the therapeutic agent; and a reservoir wall comprising a polymer being substantially impermeable to the ionized form or to the inclusion complex form of the therapeutic agent but permeable to water and to the unionized form of the therapeutic agent. The system allows the release of a therapeutic agent which may be a weak acid or base in a manner which shows less variation between patients than previous systems.

Abstract: This invention provides monolithic matrix formulations for transdermal administration of ketorolac tromethamine. The device includes a copolymer of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate, and methacrylic acid. This invention also provides transdermal devices having a monolithic matrix made using such a formulation in combination with an active ingredient and a vehicle or vehicle formulation.

Abstract: A method and composition are disclosed utilizing the pure (R,R) isomer of formoterol, which is a potent bronchodilator with reduced adverse effects, having a low incidence of the development of tolerance and having increased bronchial distribution when administered by inhalation.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a continuous method for the production of retarded pharmaceutical compositions by an extrusion process. A mixture of an active material, a low and high melting lipid or lipoid components is introduced by means of an extruder screw conveyor into a preheated extruder and brought to a temperature which is at most about 4.degree. C. above the melting temperature of the low melting component at a pressure of about 200 to about 600 kPa(N/m.sup.2). The mass is extruded through a nozzle plate with a nozzle diameter of about 1.2 to about 4 mm and subsequently cooled, and if desired, granulated.

Abstract: Compositions, devices, and methods for transdermal administration of an active agent are disclosed using a novel dual permeation enhancer mixture comprising lauryl acetate and a monoglyceride, preferably glycerol monolaurate. The dual permeation enhancer mixture comprising lauryl acetate is a potent permeation enhancer and provides stable systems which are more readily characterized.

Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed that comprises means inside the dosage form for providing a substantially drug-free interval before the dosage form delivers a drug from inside the dosage form. The dosage form in an embodiment comprises a drug on the exterior of the dosage form, which drug is available for immediate delivery.

Abstract: Skin care compositions and methods are provided for improving the appearance of skin affected by aging, photodamage and/or oxidative stress. Specifically, adhesive materials containing cosmetically active ingredients, e.g., one or more antioxidants such as Vitamins A, C and/or E, or moisturizers are applied in concentrated dry powdered form to target areas including the frownline area of the forehead, the front of the neck, the crows-feet area near the eyes, the upper lip and the nasolabial area using a transdermal patch having an acidity approximating human skin acidity of 5.5, preferably by an appropriate ratio of ascorbic acid and ascorbate salts.

Abstract: A medical pressure sensitive adhesive mass having a moisture vapor transmission of at least 10,000 g/m.sup.2 /24.h (measured with a pressure sensitive adhesive film having a weight of 30 g/m.sup.2) and an excellent adhesion to both dry skin and that is moist due to perspiration, comprising:A) a copolymer synthesized from components comprising:1) 50 to 95%-wt., preferably 70 to 90%-wt., based on the weight of the copolymer, of one or several alkyl esters of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid have 4 to 12 C-atoms in the alkyl residue; and2) 5 to 50%-wt., preferably 10 to 30%-wt., based on the weight of the copolymer, of a vinylcarboxylic acid,B) 25 to 90%-wt., preferably 50 to 80%-wt., of a hydrophilic emulsifier comprising tertiary or quaternary ammonium groups,C) 15 to 60%-wt., preferably 20 to 40%-wt., of a hydrophilic polyoxyalkylene groups-containing emulsifier which is free from amino groups,D) 1 to 20%-wt., preferably 3 to 15%-wt., of a polyvinylcarboxylic acid,E) 1 to 15%-wt., preferably 3 to 10%-wt.

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: Methods are described for targeting the release of an active pharmacological agent in an animal by administering that agent encapsulated in proteinoid microspheres which are stable to the environment encountered from the point of introduction until they migrate to the targeted body organs, fluids or cells and are there unstable. Orally administered delivery systems for insulin, heparin and physostigmine utilize encapsulating microspheres which are predominantly of less than about 10 microns in diameter and pass readily through the gastrointestinal mucosa and which are made of an acidic proteinoid that is stable and unaffected by stomach enzymes and acid, but which releases the microencapsulated agent in pharmacologically active form in the near neutral blood stream. Basic proteinoid microspheres encapsulating a dopamine redox carrier system are administered in the weakly basic, where they are stable, and then enter the blood stream, where the encapsulated agent is similarly released.