Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition containing a physiologically active peptide or protein which is poorly absorbable through the gastrointestinal tract and heat-labile enterotoxin B subunit brings an increased absorbability of said peptide or protein into the mammalian body when administered through mucosa.

Abstract: A device for the controlled delivery of a beneficial agent as a gelatinous dispersion consisting of (i) a core which contains a beneficial agent, a polymer which forms gelatinous micoroscopic particles upon hydration and if desired an agent to modulate the hydration of the polymer; and (ii) an impermeable, insoluble coating which adheres to and surrounds the core and contains apertures which provide an area for the hydration and release of a disperson comprising gelatinous microscopic particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to an active substance-containing plaster for the controlled administration of active substances to the skin, which has a back and a skin side, with a back layer, an active substance reservoir divided substantially perpendicularly to the skin contact surface of the plaster and having one or more active substances, a contact adhesive device on the skin side and optionally a cover layer detachable prior to the application of the plaster, whereas at least one active substance reservoir part (12) is detachable from the skin, while leaving behind one or more active substance reservoir parts (13) on the skin. For this object there is provided that the part of the active substance reservoir remaining on the skin is having a better adhesion to the skin than to the back layer (11).

Abstract: A percutaneous drug delivery method and enhancement composition are disclosed. The method comprises applying an enzyme preparation containing suitable amounts of non-enzyme permeation enhancers, such as lactam compounds (e.g. 1-substituted-azacycloheptan-2-one), and propylene glycol to a localized area of skin for a predetermined amount of time to enhance that area of skin's permeability to selected drug(s); occluding the area of skin during the application; and then applying the selected drug(s) to the area of skin to allow the drug to penetrate through the skin and into the circulatory system of the animal. Greatly enhanced penetration of chemicals through the skin results from the described treatment.

Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed for delivering pentoxifylline to a patient in need of pentoxifylline therapy. A method is discussed for delivery pentoxifylline to a patient at a dosage form controlled rate over an extended period of time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid-suspension controlled-release enteric-coated pharmaceutical formulation for the administration of naproxen, comprising (a) microgranules of naproxen and an excipient; (b) four successive coats of polymeric hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials, at least the innermost of said coats imparting controlled-release properties to said naproxen according to a predetermined release profile, and at least the outermost of said coats imparting resistance to dissolution in gastric fluids; and (c) a liquid administration vehicle. This composition enables the oral administration of naproxen as a single daily dose the adjustment of the dosage to a patient's requirements, and avoids detrimental effects of prolonged contact of naproxen with the gastric mucosa thus aiding oral intake and minimizing the drug's typical side effects.

Abstract: Transdermal gels comprising (1) ketoprofen as an effective component, (2) poloxamer, (3) one or more agents selected from ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol and glycerin, (4) one or more agents selected from the group consisting of lauric acid, oleic acid, capric acid, myristic acid, lauryl alcohol, oleyl alcohol and menthol, (5) water or a buffer solution. The gels form thin and pliable films, which are easily washable with water. They possess prolonged antiinflammatory and analgesic activities and physicochemical stability with less systemic side effects and gastric irritation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a patch for the controlled release of readily available volatile active substances to the skin, the patch comprising a back layer and, bonded to it, a water-insoluble adhesive film consisting of a pressure-sensitive fusion adhesive, plus a detachable film covering the adhesive film. The patch is characterized in that the pressure-sensitive fusion adhesive contains a triple-block copolymer of polystyrene block copoly(ethylene/butylene) block polystyrene (SEBS) at a concentration of 10 to 80% by wt., and an active substance which, at the temperature at which the adhesive bonds, is a readily volatile liquid, and which is present at a concentration of 2.5 to 25% by wt.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an oral morphine preparation having essentially complete bioavailability and, for the major part of the dissolution, an essentially zero order and essentially pH independent release of morphine for a period of at least 8 hours, preferably at least 12 hours, during which a period less than 100% is dissolved. In the preparation, the morphine, in the form of an easily soluble salt, is present in a combination with a buffering agent in a preparation coated with a diffusion membrane.

Abstract: A foil-shaped wound covering material based on collagen fibers, its laminates, and a process for preparing the same are disclosed. The wound covering material essentially consists of insoluble, partially modified collagen characterized by the following parameters: 0.18 to 0.40 mmol/g amidated nitrogen; less than 5 .mu.mol/g glucosamine and less than 5 .mu.mol g galactosamine; shrinking temperature from 45.degree. to 60.degree. C.; isoelectric point from 4.3 to 60.0.

Abstract: This invention describes a device for peroral administration of a therapeutic agent which is capable of existing in an unionized therapeutically active form. The device comprises a reservoir comprising the therapeutic agent in ionized form, which reservoir has a wall permeable to un-ionized material and impermeable to ionized material; and a solid material which upon uptake of water is converted to a buffer; the solid material having, on uptake of water, a pH which determines the rate of permeation of the therapeutic agent in un-ionized form through the reservoir wall. The device enables the release of the therapeutic agent to be controlled by the pH of the buffer and, if desired, the composition of the reservoir walls. The composition of the surrounding aqueous medium does not affect the rate of release.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transdermal delivery device for estradiol where the metabolic degradation of estradiol to estrone during permeation is inhibited by another substance in the transdermal delivery device. The transdermal device also includes a compound for enhancing the rate of estradiol permeation. The transdermal delivery device containing the inhibitor and enhancer can also be used to simultaneously deliver both estradiol and a progestin at therapeutic rates.

Abstract: The present invention is related to prostheses, their methods of manufacture and methods for repairing vascular lesions using such prostheses. Natural polymers such as collagen are processed and fabricated to form tubular resorbable vascular wound dressings with unique physico-chemical and mechanical properties for repairing selected vascular segments, and for delivering therapeutic agents at selected sites within vessels and at the anastomoses.

Abstract: Disclosed is a controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form, including: (a) microgranules of a pharmaceutical and an excipient; (b) a plurality of polymeric lipidic and wax-like coatings applied to the microgranules, the coated microgranules having dimensions which allow suspension of the coated microgranules in a liquid administration vehicle; and (c) a liquid administration vehicle for the coated microgranules, the vehicle including an effective amount of the pharmaceutical in a form immediately available upon ingestion. A process for the preparation of the controlled release therapeutic system is also described.

Abstract: The new therapeutic composition remedying the disorders appearing in the otolaryngological sphere comprises a very large quantity of vitamin A per dose, each dose containing 40,000 to 60,000 IU of vitamin A for a treatment of three to four days.

Abstract: An anhydrous solid water-soluble composition and method for direct controlled administration of beneficial agents to a flowing medical fluid. The beneficial agents are geometrically dispersed in a solid matrix and isolated from one and other to allow administration of mutually reactive agents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the transdermal administration of melatonin together with a suitable permeation enhancer. The invention includes a transdermal drug delivery device (10) comprising a matrix (12) adapted to be placed in melatonin- and permeation enhancer-transmitting relation with the skin site (18). The matrix (12) contains sufficient amounts of a permeation enhancer and of melatonin, in combination, to continuously administer to the skin (18) for a predetermined period of time the melatonin to provide an effective therapeutic result. The invention is also directed to a method for the transdermal administration of a therapeutically effective amount of melatonin together with a skin permeation-enhancing amount of a suitable permeation enhancer. The invention further includes methods for time- and rate-patterned transdermal delivery of melatonin to simulate the natural circadian rhythmic profile of melatonin in mammals.

Abstract: An in-line adhesive, useful for transdermal delivery devices comprising a mixture of high and low molecular weighted polyisobutylene having a ratio HMW PIB:LMW PIB in the range of about 5-40:95-60 which is substantially free of plasticizers and tackifiers is disclosed. The adhesive finds particular use as a component of a transdermal delivery device for delivering oily non-polar agents such as nicotine, benztropine, secoverine, dexsecoverine, and arecoline.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery system is disclosed. The system comprises a laminate composite of a patch/skin permeable membrane; a transfer gel layer disposed on said permeable membrane; a permeable membrane disposed on said transfer gel layer; a plurality of sectional drug reservoirs for receiving medicament disposed on the transfer gel layer; and activation means for releasing medicament from said drug reservoirs for contact with skin of a patient. The medicament in contained in the reservoirs at varying amounts and/or concentrations, providing for selectable dosage, for sequential delivery, for sequential activation, for variable unit dose drug delivery in transdermal application.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a medicinal adhesive for percutaneous administration of a drug consisting of a support (backing layer), an adhesive layer comprising an oil-soluble drug, an adhesive resin, a penetration enhancer, a water-absorptive material and a lenitive agent, and a separate liner, charaterized in that the adhesive layer has a laminated structure having 2 to 5 layers and each layer has different water absorption capacities, and the drug is a oil-soluble, non-steroidal drug. For the adhesive of the present invention, the lowest layer which is to be contacted with the skin has the lowest water absorption capacity and the most upper layer in contact with the support has the highest water absorption capacity, or vice versa.