Abstract: This invention pertains to mucoadhesive compositions for the delivery of pharmacologically active agents, and to polymeric formulations that allow for a prolonged, sustained release of the active agents. More specically the invention pertains to compositions for the delivery of drugs to mucosal tissue, said composition comprising a drug or a plurality of drugs to be delivered and a thermoplastic graft copolymer, said graft copolymer being the reaction product of a polystyrene macromonomer having an ethylenically unsaturated functional group, and at least one acidic hydrophilic monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated functional group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel antimicrobial polymer composition having superior weatherability and discoloration resistance to those of the prior art.The present invention provides an antimicrobial polymer composition comprising a thermosetting polymer and an antimicrobial composition having an antimicrobial coat of an aluminosilicate containing antimicrobial metal ions and an amount of thiabendazole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for purifying polyethylene glycols (PEGs) which utilizes hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) to separate the PEGs based on their size and on their end-group functionality. The purified PEGs can be used to modify biologically active molecules and improve overall production of such molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nasal drug delivery composition comprising nicotine or a pharmacologically-acceptable salt or derivative thereof wherein the composition is adapted to delivery a pulse of nicotine for rapid absorption and a controlled release of nicotine for subsequent sustained absorption. The controlled release phase can be achieved by providing an ion-exchange material which will form a complex with the nicotine. The ion-exchange material may be a polymeric material such as a polysaccharide, or may be in the form of bioadhesive ion-exchange microspheres. The pulse release can be achieved by overloading the ion-exchange material with nicotine so that the composition contains some excess nicotine for immediate release and absorption. Alternatively, some nicotine may be associated with a non ion-exchange material which will release the nicotine immediately on contact with the nasal mucosa, for example non-ion-exchange bioadhesive microspheres.

Abstract: A combination of the following active ingredients for treating osteoporosis: (a) a pharmacologically-acceptable alkalinizing potassium salt which produces hydroxyl ions and is thereby capable of reducing the acidity of tissue fluids or urine and which is selected from the group consisting of potassium bicarbonate and potassium salts of carboxylic acids which are transformed to bicarbonate and thus alkalinize in vivo; and (b) a thiazide diuretic.

Abstract: A cosmetic composition for the first stage of an operation for the permanent reshaping of keratinous material, in particular the hair, which consists in reducing the disulphide bonds of keratin, characterized in that it comprises at least one active agent suitable for the reduction of the disulphide bonds of keratin, at least one basifying agent chosen from ornithine, a salt of ornithine, lysine, a salt of lysine, arginine, and a salt of arginine, and at least one cationic polymer containing primary, secondary or tertiary amine groups or quaternary ammonium groups in the main chain.

Abstract: This invention relates to an aqueous nail coating composition and method for coloring nails comprising the use of a water-dispersible, colored sulfopolyester wherein the colorant moiety is incorporated into or onto a carbonyloxy and/or carbonylamide backbone of the sulfopolyester. The sulfopolyesters are uniquely designed to offer cosmetically desirable color coatings on nails.

Abstract: A formulation for inducing sustained local anesthesia in a patient comprising a substrate comprising a high load of local anesthetic by weight and an effective amount of a biocompatible, controlled release material to obtain a reversible nerve blockade or anesthesia effect when implanted or injected in a patient, and a non-toxic glucocorticosteroid agent effective to prolong the duration of the local anesthesia for a time period longer than that obtainable from the substrate without the glucocorticosteroid agent.

Abstract: An antimicrobial film-forming composition which provides antimicrobial effectiveness to the skin, comprising ethyl alcohol, carboxylated polyacrylates, a cross linking agent, an adhesion promoting agent which can include a secondary solvent and an emollient, an active antimicrobial agent which can be either iodine or povidone iodine, a pluronic polyol and optionally, water. This composition prevents degradation of iodine in the composition and is easily removable from the skin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to water or alcohol soluble or dispersible silicone grafted thermoplastic elastomeric copolymers and to cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions containing these copolymers. This invention especially relates to copolymers useful for hair styling purposes, and to hair styling compositions containing these copolymers. This invention further relates to copolymers useful for providing cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions for topical application to the skin. These topical skin care compositions are useful for delivering and/or transdermally transporting active ingredients to or thorugh the skin.

Abstract: Composition for the sustained release of a biologically active agent in vivo. The composition comprises microcarriers containing a first solid-phase biocompatible material and a biologically active agent, wherein said microcarriers sustain the in vivo release of the biologically active agent. The composition also contains particles of a second biocompatible solid-phase material wherein the second solid-phase material further sustains the in vivo release of the biologically active agent.The invention also relates to a method for sustaining effective serum levels of a biologically active agent in a subject, including forming an injectable dose containing an effective amount of a biologically active agent, wherein the agent is contained in a microcarrier, with a release-period sustaining amount of a solid-phase material. The method further includes administering the injectable dose to the subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to water or alcohol soluble or dispersible silicone grafted thermoplastic elastomeric copolymers and to cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions containing these copolymers. This invention especially relates to copolymers useful for hair styling purposes, and to hair styling compositions containing these copolymers. This invention further relates to copolymers useful for providing cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions for topical application to the skin. These topical skin care compositions are useful for delivering and/or transdermally transporting active ingredients to or through the skin.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention relates to a personal bath or shower gel system comprising (A) a light weight polymeric meshed sponge and (B) a liquid cleanser comprising (1) an effective amount of surfactants(s) and (2) a deodorant perfume. In a second embodiment, the invention relates to a method for enhancing delivery/dispersion of deodorant perfume on skin or substrate by either applying liquid to sponge and applying sponge to substrate and/or applying liquid to skin/substrate and then rubbing skin/substrate with said sponge.

Abstract: A hydromorphone composition, a hydromorphone dosage form and a method for administering hydromorphone are disclosed, indicated for the management of pain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition and method of treating a patient by administering carbamazepine in a pharmaceutical dosage form capable of maintaining the patient's blood concentration at from about 4 .mu.g/ml to about 12 .mu.g/ml over at least a 12 hour period, where the blood concentration of carbamazepine does not vary by more than 60 percent.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to delivery systems for the localized administration of a medicament to the upper respiratory tract. The delivery system comprises:(a) a safe and effective amount of a medicament useful for treating the upper respiratory tract,(b) an ionic polysaccharide, and,(c) a cross-linking agent.This invention also pertains to the medicated compositions containing the targeted delivery system in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The invention further pertains to methods for preparing and using the delivery systems and medicated compositions.

Abstract: A method of treatment for impotency is provided. The method involves the administration of nitric oxide by a nitric oxide-releasing agent capable of providing a penile erection-inducing amount of nitric oxide to the corpus cavernosum of the penis of an impotent male animal. Also provided is a nitric oxide delivery means for use in the method.

Abstract: Hydroalcoholic compositions and methods of preparation are provided. The composition includes a lower alcohol and water in a weight ratio of at least about 20:80 and a thickener system comprising a complex of at least one charged polymer and at least one oppositely charged surfactant.

Abstract: The combination of several synergistic antioxidants, enzymatic co-factors and amino acids in appropriate delivery vehicles employed in aerosol carriers, mist and pump oral sprays, solutions, such as oral irrigators, mouth rinses and mouthwashes, or gels and solid compositions as a means of preventing and ameliorating signs and symptoms and complications to the oro-pharyngeal cavity and mouth including buccal mucosa, gums and tongue and the upper respiratory tract from damage caused by free radical species induced by tobacco smoke, smokeless tobacco, ingested or chewed noxious, malodorous or harmful substances and other inhaled environmental pollutants and particulate matter, including tobacco to secondary smokers.

Abstract: A method of faciltating the obtaining of a mucus sample from at least one lung of a subject comprises administering a physiologically acceptable salt to at least one lung of the subject in an amount effective to hydrate lung mucus secretions therein, and concurrently administering to said at least one lung of the subject, in an amount effective to hydrate lung mucous secretions therein, uridine triphosphate, an active analog thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of either thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions useful for carrying out the method comprise, in combination, a physiologically acceptable salt, and uridine triphosphate, an active analog thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of either thereof. The composition may be a liquid composition or a dry powder composition.