Abstract: A bioadhesive controlled, extended release progressive hydration composition wherein the active ingredient may be protected from water or the surrounding environment, thereby protecting it from metabolism or from other degradation caused by moisture, enzymes, or pH effects, and making it bioavailable only at a controlled rate. The active ingredient may be protected from moisture during the manufacturing process, as necessary or desired, and more importantly may be protected from moisture and the immediate septic environment until well after the patient has applied the composition, and then only at a slow and controlled rate. It is by this process of progressive hydration that the active ingredient remains protected for many hours after administration. It is also by the process of progressive hydration that controlled and sustained release is achieved because only that part of the active ingredient that is the hydrated (aqueous) fraction of the composition is available for absorption (bioavailable).

Abstract: The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for vaginal administration of a treating agent normally associated with undesired side effects at detrimental blood levels. The composition releases the treating agent at a rate to achieve local tissue concentrations without such detrimental blood levels by using a therapeutically effective amount of the treating agent and a bioadhesive, cross-linked water swellable, but water-insoluble polycarboxylic acid polymer. Using this composition and the method of treatment provides sufficient local levels of the drug to provide therapeutic efficacy, but avoids many untoward adverse events. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition for use during menses that includes a treating agent and a bioadhesive, cross-linked water swellable, but water-insoluble polycarboxylic acid polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a particularly convenient medium for providing contrast enhancement and/or distension of the subject body or organ cavity during imaging, radiographic, visualization, or other similar medical examinations, including ultrasound, endoscopic examinations, MRI, x-ray, hystero-salpingograms, CT scans, and similar procedures. The present invention provides the contrast enhancement and/or distends the body or organ cavity without constant leakage of the medium or the resulting need to constantly or repeatedly infuse additional medium. The medium is designed to have sufficient viscosity or consistence initially to remain in the body or organ cavity for a time generally sufficient to complete the procedure, and then to facilitate easy removal or expulsion from the cavity, preferably by liquefying or losing viscosity. The phase or viscosity change may be triggered by a variety of factors that liquefy or otherwise facilitate easy removal or expulsion of the composition from the cavity.

Abstract: A bioadhesive controlled, extended release progressive hydration composition wherein the active ingredient may be protected from water or the surrounding environment, thereby protecting it from metabolism or from other degradation caused by moisture, enzymes, or pH effects, and making it bioavailable only at a controlled rate. The active ingredient may be protected from moisture during the manufacturing process, as necessary or desired, and more importantly may be protected from moisture and the immediate septic environment until well after the patient has applied the composition, and then only at a slow and controlled rate. It is by this process of progressive hydration that the active ingredient remains protected for many hours after administration. It is also by the process of progressive hydration that controlled and sustained release is achieved because only that part of the active ingredient that is the hydrated (aqueous) fraction of the composition is available for absorption (bioavailable).

Abstract: A bioadhesive controlled, extended release progressive hydration composition wherein the active ingredient may be protected from water or the surrounding environment, thereby protecting it from metabolism or from other degradation caused by moisture, enzymes, or pH effects, and making it bioavailable only at a controlled rate. The active ingredient may be protected from moisture during the manufacturing process, as necessary or desired, and more importantly may be protected from moisture and the immediate septic environment until well after the patient has applied the composition, and then only at a slow and controlled rate. It is by this process of progressive hydration that the active ingredient remains protected for many hours after administration. It is also by the process of progressive hydration that controlled and sustained release is achieved because only that part of the active ingredient that is the hydrated (aqueous) fraction of the composition is available for absorption (bioavailable).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a particularly convenient medium for providing contrast enhancement and/or distension of the subject body or organ cavity during imaging, radiographic, visualization, or other similar medical examinations, including ultrasound, endoscopic examinations, MRI, x-ray, hystero-salpingograms, CT scans, and similar procedures. The present invention provides the contrast enhancement and/or distends the body or organ cavity without constant leakage of the medium or the resulting need to constantly or repeatedly infuse additional medium. The medium is designed to have sufficient viscosity or consistence initially to remain in the body or organ cavity for a time generally sufficient to complete the procedure, and then to facilitate easy removal or expulsion from the cavity, preferably by liquefying or losing viscosity. The phase or viscosity change may be triggered by a variety of factors that liquefy or otherwise facilitate easy removal or expulsion of the composition from the cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for vaginal administration of a treating agent normally associated with undesired side effects at detrimental blood levels. The composition releases the treating agent at a rate to achieve local tissue concentrations without such detrimental blood levels by using a therapeutically effective amount of the treating agent and a bioadhesive, cross-linked water swellable, but water-insoluble polycarboxylic acid polymer. Using this composition and the method of treatment provides sufficient local levels of the drug to provide therapeutic efficacy, but avoids many untoward adverse events. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition for use during menses that includes a treating agent and a bioadhesive, cross-linked water swellable, but water-insoluble polycarboxylic acid polymer.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions and methods for using a &bgr;-adrenergic agonist for treating endometriosis, for treating infertility, and for improving fertility. The present invention further concerns formulating such a composition or method in such a way as to provide therapeutically sufficient levels of the &bgr;-adrenergic agonist locally while avoiding adverse systematic concentrations in the host, thereby minimizing or avoiding adverse side effects.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a composition comprising a &bgr;-adrenergic agonist in a bioadhesive carrier. Preferably, the composition comprises terbutaline in polycarbophil. The present invention additionally teaches the local administration of a &bgr;-adrenergic agonist for the purpose of treating or preventing dysmenorrhea or premature labor. Using this composition and the method of treatment provides sufficient local levels of the drug to provide therapeutic efficacy, but avoids many untoward adverse events.

Abstract: A bioadhesive controlled, extended release progressive hydration composition wherein the active ingredient may be protected from water or the surrounding environment, thereby protecting it from metabolism or from other degradation caused by moisture, enzymes, or pH effects, and making it bioavailable only at a controlled rate. The active ingredient may be protected from moisture during the manufacturing process, as necessary or desired, and more importantly may be protected from moisture and the immediate septic environment until well after the patient has applied the composition, and then only at a slow and controlled rate. It is by this process of progressive hydration that the active ingredient remains protected for many hours after administration. It is also by the process of progressive hydration that controlled and sustained release is achieved because only that part of the active ingredient that is the hydrated (aqueous) fraction of the composition is available for absorption (bioavailable).

Abstract: The present invention teaches that daily, cyclical vaginal delivery of progestin may be used to provide regular, predictable withdrawal bleeding during hormone replacement therapy. The present invention also teaches that constant administration of progestin in a water-insoluble, water-swellable cross-linked polycarboxylic acid polymer may be used to maintain amenorrhea. Either regimen is accompanied by a significant decrease in adverse side effects.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for relieving pelvic pain or infertility associated with uterine dysrhythmia. The composition includes a locally-administered anti-dysrhythmic treating agent and a bioadhesive extended-release carrier. The composition may be delivered in an extended release formulation that includes a bioadhesive, water-swellable, water-insoluble, cross-linked polycarboxylic acid polymer, such as polycarbophil. The treating agent may be a local anesthetic, such as lidocaine. The invention also relates to a method of treating or preventing pelvic pain, or treating or improving infertility, by inserting a mixture of an anti-dysrhythmic treating agent and a bioadhesive carrier into the vagina of the patient to be treated.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a composition comprising a &bgr;-adrenergic agonist in a bioadhesive carrier. Preferably, the composition comprises terbutaline in polycarbophil. The present invention additionally teaches the local administration of a &bgr;-adrenergic agonist for the purpose of treating or preventing dysmenorrhea or premature labor. Using this composition and the method of treatment provides sufficient local levels of the drug to provide therapeutic efficacy, but avoids many untoward adverse events.

Abstract: The present invention teaches that daily, cyclical vaginal delivery of progestin may be used to provide regular, predictable withdrawal bleeding during hormone replacement therapy. The present invention also teaches that constant administration of progestin in a water-insoluble, water-swellable cross-linked polycarboxylic acid polymer may be used to maintain amenorrhea. Either regimen is accompanied by a significant decrease in adverse side effects.

Abstract: A bioadhesive tablet wherein the active ingredient may be protected from water or the surrounding environment, thereby protecting it from metabolism or from other degradation caused by moisture, enzymes, or pH effects, and making it bioavailable only at a controlled rate. The active ingredient may be protected from moisture during the manufacturing process and more importantly may be protected from moisture and the immediate septic environment until after the patient has applied the tablet, and then only at a slow and controlled rate. It is by this process of progressive hydration that the active ingredient remains protected for many hours after administration. It is also by the process of progressive hydration that controlled and sustained release is achieved because only that part of the active ingredient that is the hydrated (aqueous) fraction of the tablet is available for absorption (bioavailable).

Abstract: The present invention teaches a composition comprising a .beta.-adrenergic agonist in a bioadhesive carrier. Preferably, the composition comprises terbutaline in polycarbophil. The present invention additionally teaches the local administration of a .beta.-adrenergic agonist for the purpose of treating or preventing dysmenorrhea or premature labor. Using this composition and the method of treatment provides sufficient local levels of the drug to provide therapeutic efficacy, but avoids many untoward adverse events.