Abstract: The invention relates to peroral pharmaceutical compositions which release levosimendan in a controlled fashion with reduced occurrence of undesired effects. Levosimendan, or (?)-[[4-(1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-4-methyl-6-oxo-3-pyridazinyl)phenyl]-hydrazono]propanedinitrile, is useful in the treatment of congestive heart failure.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating urinary incontinence in a mammal wherein a composition comprising a biocompatible polymer, a biocompatible solvent, and a contrast agent is delivered to the periurethral tissue of the mammal.

Abstract: An orally administered antihyperlipidemia composition according to the present invention includes from about 250 to about 3000 parts by weight of nicotinic acid, and from about 5 to about 50 parts by weight of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. Also, a method of treating hyperlipidemia in a hyperlipidemic having a substantially periodic physiological loss of consciousness, includes the steps of forming a composition having an effective antihyperlipidemic amount of nicotinic acid and a time release sustaining amount of a swelling agent. The method also includes the step of orally administering the composition to the hyperlipidemic once per day “nocturnally,” that is in the evening or at night.

Abstract: A method of forming, by polymerization in an aqueous dispersion at pressures in excess of one atmosphere, a plurality of porous particles having at least one polymeric phase and at least one pore filling phase, wherein the pore filling phase includes a pore filler and a fugitive substance, is disclosed. Replacement of the fugitive substance with a replacement gas is further disclosed. Porous particles having a polymeric phase and pores containing a pore filler, and, optionally, a gaseous phase are also disclosed, as are their aqueous dispersions.

Abstract: A needle-less device for the parenteral administration of a medicament is disclosed. The medicament has the shape of one end of a toothpick. It is placed in the bore of a barrel with the barrel having the shape of a nose cone at one end. A plunger is inserted into the other end of the bore. The plunger forces the medicament through the skin and into the subcutaneous layer of the patient without the need for penetration of the skin by a needle.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating urinary incontinence in a mammal wherein a composition comprising a biocompatible polymer, a biocompatible solvent, and a contrast agent is delivered to the periurethral tissue of the mammal.

Abstract: Intermediate release nicotinic acid formulations having unique biopharmaceutical characteristics, such as Cmax, Tmax and AUC, which are suitable for oral administration once per day during the evening or at night for treating hyperlipidemia without causing drug-induced hepatotoxicity to such a level that requires the therapy to be discontinued, are disclosed. The intermediate nicotinic acid formulations can be administered as tablets in dosage strengths of, for example, 375 mg, 500 mg, 750 mg and 1000 mg.

Abstract: A process is provided for absorbing moisture and/or malodor and providing a fragrance to the surrounding ambience that includes providing a delivery vehicle containing an enrobement material, a fragrance, and a fixative, combining the delivery vehicle with an absorbent material, and contacting the mixture of delivery vehicle and absorbent material with moisture and/or a malodor source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating diaper rash including applying an anti-diaper rash cream from an applicator. The applicator includes an elongated housing containing the anti-diaper rash agent, an elliptically domed applicator portion at one end of the housing and elongated slots formed through the elliptically domed applicator portion. The anti-diaper rash agent includes zinc oxide and one or more-selected from the group consisting of aloe, vitamin E, antibacterial agent, silicon oil, petroleum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a quick disintegrating tablet in buccal cavity, comprising: a mixture, comprising a drug, a sugar (A), and an amorphous sugar (B), and after it is forming a tablet, it is humidified and dried. In particularly, the present invention relates to a quick disintegrating tablet in buccal cavity comprising: a mixture; comprising a drug, a sugar (A), and an amorphous sugar (B) which an amorphous-forming sugar in crystalline state is dissolved in a medicinally permitted solvent, the amorphous sugar is obtained from this solution by removing the solvent, and after it is forming a tablet, and it is humidified and dried. The tablet in the present invention is to provide stability against moisture at preserved, because the amorphous sugar changed to the crystalline state in a nonreversible reaction after it is humidified and dried in a manufacturing process.

Abstract: One or more COX-2 inhibitors are provided in a porous matrix form wherein the dissolution rate of the drug is enhanced when the matrix is contacted with an aqueous medium. The porous matrix yields upon contact with an aqueous medium nanoparticles and microparticles of COX-2 inhibitors having a mean diameter between about 0.01 and 5 &mgr;m and a total surface area greater than about 0.5 m2/mL. The dry porous matrix preferably is in a dry powder form having a TAP density less than or equal to 1.0 g/mL. The porous COX-2 inhibitor matrices preferably are made using a process that includes (i) dissolving one or more COX-2 inhibitors in a volatile solvent to form a drug solution, (ii) combining at least one pore forming agent with the drug solution to form an emulsion, suspension, or second solution, and (iii) removing the volatile solvent and pore forming agent from the emulsion, suspension, or second solution to yield the dry porous matrix of COX-2 inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hard capsules comprising (A) polymers obtainable by free-radical polymerization of a) at least one vinyl ester in the presence of b) polyether-containing compounds and c) where appropriate one or more other copolymerizable monomers c) and subsequent at least partial hydrolysis of the ester functions in the original monomers a), with the proviso that in the absence of another copolymerizable monomer c) the polyether-containing compound b) must have a number average molecular weight ≦10,000, (B) where appropriate structure-improving auxiliaries and (C) other conventional shell constituents, the production and use thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are ophthalmic compositions comprising ketotifen and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as well as methods for making such compositions.

Abstract: Spherical-shape ceramics obtained by dropping starting ceramics into a low temperature medium or composite spherical-shape ceramics having a composite layer obtained by applying a hydrothermal treatment thereto.

Abstract: Sucralfate gel in the dry state in porous granular form having a particle-size distribution of between 100 and 1000 &mgr;m, an apparent density of the powder bed of between 0.7 and 0.9 g/ml, a settling index of between 5 and 15%, and a residual humidity of between 5 and 15%, and the corresponding process of preparation, which comprises a treatment with microwaves of a diluted solution of powdered sucralfate gel, with a sucralfate titer of between 20 and 70 wt. %. This solid product may be advantageously used in the preparation of solid pharmaceutical compositions that contain it as single active principle, or else as coating of solid compositions that contain, as active principle, a substance that may cause lesions to the gastric mucosa.

Abstract: The present invention relates a composition promoting the growth, and increasing preservative capability of human body, animals and plants. The composition of the present invention maximizes physiological activity of human body, animals and plants. In addition, the present invention relates a producing method of the composition composed of the following steps: 1) preparing a composition containing kaoline (white soil) 30-40 wt %, potassium sulfate 15.0-20.0 wt %, sodium sulfate 13.0-17.0 wt %, feldspar 12.0-16.0 wt %, talc 12.0-16.0% and ferric oxide 0.5-1.5 wt %; and 2) mixing the above-mentioned composition using a compressed molding method; and 3) heating the mixed composition at 1000-1300° C. The composition of the present invention can be used in whole fields of industries, and will cause the original changes in the field of industrial matters, and promote the welfare of human beings such as improvement of health and life of human.

Abstract: The invention concerns granules consisting of lactose and starch having a friability of less than or equal to 80%, preferably to 60%, according to a test A. It also concerns the process of preparation of such granules as well as their use for the preparation of solid forms in the pharmaceutical or in the food industries.

Abstract: The present invention relates to soft capsules comprising (a) polymers prepared by polymerization of vinyl esters in the presence of polyethers (b) where appropriate structure-improving auxiliaries and (c) where appropriate other conventional constituents, the use and production thereof.

Abstract: A superior enteric formulation of the antidepressant drug, fluoxetine, is in the form of enteric pellets of which the enteric layer comprises hydroxypropylmethylcellulose acetate succinate.

Abstract: A method of treatment of a condition selected from the group comprising conjunctivitis, keratitis, ‘allergic eyes’, adenovirus infections, corneal homograft rejection, anterior uveitis, nasal polyps, vasomotor rhinitis, allergic manifestations of the nasopharynx, reversible obstructive airways disease, Crohn's disease, distal colitis and proctitis, which method comprises administration to a patient suffering from such a condition of a therapeutically effective amount of an aqueous solution containing, as active ingredient, 9-ethyl-6,9-dihydro-4,6-dioxo-10-propyl-4H-pyrano(3,2-g)quinoline-2,8-dicarboxylic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Also described are novel pharmaceutical compositions suitable for use in such methods of treatment.