Abstract: The adhesive capability of matrix-type transdermal devices for the delivery of drugs, cosmetics, emollients and the like is altered by incorporating into the pressure-sensitive adhesive an effective amount of a polydiorganosiloxane polymer fluid adhesion adjusting agent. The properties of the pressure-sensitive adhesive are modified to enable a matrix-type patch to adhere temporarily to the skin for a period sufficient to accomplish its desired delivery purpose and then be removed without causing skin damage or irritation and without leaving substantial adhesive residue on the skin. Polydimethylsiloxanes (dimethicones) are preferred adhesion adjusting agents and acrylic-based polymers are preferred pressure-sensitive adhesives. Matrix-type patches containing anti-wrinkle agents formulated with dimethicones in the adhesive for application to areas on the face and particularly around the eyes are especially useful.

Abstract: An anti-wrinkle skin treating composition comprises a pressure sensitive matrix patch having dissolved in the adhesive a mixture of antioxidants in the form of a Vitamins C ester and Vitamin E. Also preferably dissolved in the adhesive are glycerine and a polydiorganosiloxane adhesion-adjusting agent. Optionally dissolved in the adhesive is also one or more members selected from the group consisting of moisturizing agents, skin collagen synthesis promoting agents and exfoliating agents. When applied to a wrinkled skin area the composition acts to diminish fine wrinkles and improves the overall thickness, elasticity, firmness and smoothness of the skin. The modified adhesive properties of the patch are sufficient to maintain the patch in place on the skin for the recommended treatment period while allowing the patch to be readily removed without causing skin irritation or leaving adhesive residue on the skin.

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: 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: 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 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: 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: Transdermal delivery systems for delivery of nitroglycerin are disclosed which deliver the drug at enhanced transdermal fluxes. The systems include, in addition to nitroglycerin, a permeation enhancer which is either a sorbitan ester, a C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 aliphatic alcohol, or a mixture thereof. Methods for administering nitroglycerin using such permeation enhancers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Skin permeation enhancer compositions are provided which increase the permeability of skin to transdermally administered pharmacologically active agents. The compositions contain a sorbitan ester in addition to the selected pharmacologically active agent, and may also contain a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 aliphatic alcohol. Methods and transdermal drug delivery systems for using the compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Skin permeation enhancer compositions are provided which increase the permeability of skin to transdermally administered pharmacologically active agents. The compositions contain a sorbitan ester in addition to the selected pharmacologically active agent, and may also contain a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 aliphatic alcohol. Methods and transdermal drug delivery systems for using the compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Transdermal delivery systems for delivery of nitroglycerin are disclosed which deliver the drug at enhanced transdermal fluxes. The systems include, in addition to nitroglycerin, a permeation enhancer which is either a sorbitan ester, a C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 aliphatic alcohol, or a mixture thereof. Methods for administering nitroglycerin using such permeation enhancers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Transdermal administration of hydrophobic drugs via a diffusion mechanism in which the drug is dissolved in a carrier at concentrations that are 20% to 80% of the saturation concentration. The flux of drug from the device is non-Fickian and is substantially greater than the flux observed when the drug is at saturation.