Abstract: This invention relates to a method for inhibiting the percutaneous absorption of a physiologically active agent topically applied to a transdermal administration site of a subject, the method including the step of applying to skin of the subject at the transdermal administration site, a device (1, 7) comprising a membrane (8) for contacting the skin of the subject coated on the skin contacting side thereof (11) with a layer of an adhesive (10).

Abstract: The need for the delivery of insulin by injection can be reduced or eliminated by delivering aerosolized insulin. Repeatability of dosing is obtainable by using either regular insulin or monomeric insulin. When delivering insulin (not monomeric) by inhalation, the total inhaled volume should be about the same at each delivery to obtain repeatable results. The patient can be coached (by teaching) to inhale a given amount of air and can also be coached (by teaching) to inhale at a given flow rate. Further, the rate at which blood glucose is lowered is increased by the use of monomeric insulin. Particles of insulin and monomeric insulin delivered to the surface of lung tissue will be absorbed into the circulatory system. A dry powder or a liquid insulin formulation is delivered to the patient from a mechanical or electronic hand-held, self-contained device.

Abstract: Methods and devices for delivering aerosolized formulations containing polynucleotides to specified regions within a subject's respiratory tract are disclosed. The methods find use in the delivery of ribozymes, antisense polynucleotides, and DNA and RNA expression vectors into airway epithelial cells, alveoli, pulmonary macrophages and other cells in the respiratory tract (including the oropharynx, nose, nasopharynx). These methods may be used for optimization of transfection efficiency and expression in vivo, and for in vivo expression, for example for generating an immune response, or inducing immunological tolerance.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a transdermal drug delivery composition which includes at least one physiologically active agent; and at least one volatile solvent; and at least one viscosity modulating agent. The invention extends to methods of administering such a composition to a subject and treatment of subjects using the composition.

Abstract: Dosages of inhaled insulin are controlled within a narrow range by controlling the total volume of air inhaled by a patient. By repeatedly delivering aerosolized insulin with the same total inhaled volume of air, the amount of insulin delivered to the patient each time is consistent. A device for delivering insulin by inhalation is disclosed which device comprises a means for measuring inhaled volume and for halting inhalation at a pre-determined point. The device also comprises an adjustable means for applying various amounts of force to a container of formulation to expel different amounts of drug from the container based on the force applied.

Abstract: The need for the delivery of insulin by injection can be reduced or eliminated by delivering an aerosolized monomeric insulin formulation. Repeatability of dosing and more particularly the repeatability of the blood concentration versus time profile is improved relative to regular insulin. The blood concentration versus time profile is substantially unaffected by specific aspects of the patient's breathing maneuver at delivery. Further, the rate at which blood glucose is lowered is increased by the use of monomeric insulin. Particles of insulin and in particular monomeric insulin delivered to the surface of lung tissue will be absorbed into the circulatory system. The monomeric insulin may be a dry powder but is preferably in a liquid formulation delivered to the patient from a hand-held, self-contained device which automatically releases an aerosolized burst of formulation.

Abstract: Dosages of inhaled insulin are controlled within a narrow range by controlling the total volume of air inhaled by a patient. By repeatedly delivering aerosolized insulin with the same total inhaled volume of air, the amount of insulin delivered to the patient each time is consistent. A device for delivering insulin by inhalation is disclosed which device comprises a means for measuring inhaled volume and for halting inhalation at a pre-determined point. The device also comprises an adjustable means for applying various amounts of force to a container of formulation to expel different amounts of drug from the container based on the force applied.

Abstract: The need for the delivery of insulin by injection can be reduced or eliminated by delivering an aerosolized monomeric insulin formulation. Repeatability of dosing and more particularly the repeatability of the blood concentration versus time profile is improved relative to regular insulin. The blood concentration versus time profile is substantially unaffected by specific aspects of the patient's breathing maneuver at delivery. Further, the rate at which blood glucose is lowered is increased by the use of monomeric insulin. Particles of insulin and in particular monomeric insulin delivered to the surface of lung tissue will be absorbed into the circulatory system. The monomeric insulin may be a dry powder but is preferably in a liquid formulation delivered to the patient from a hand-held, self-contained device which automatically releases an aerosolized burst of formulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of calcium ion and/or sugars to minimize thermal aggregation of DNase and to the use of calcium ion to stabilize liquid solutions of DNase, the solutions having a pH of less than neutral. DNase is the active pharmaceutical principle and the solutions may contain other pharmaceutically acceptable excipients making them suitable for pharmaceutical administration. In the first instance, calcium ion/sugar minimizes the effects of thermal aggregation in the solution. In the second aspect, calcium ion stabilizes the lower pH solutions from protein precipitation.

Abstract: Dosages of inhaled insulin are controlled within a narrow range by controlling the total volume of air inhaled by a patient By repeatedly delivering aerosolized insulin with the same total inhaled volume of air, the amount of insulin delivered to the patient each time is consistent. A device for delivering insulin by inhalation is disclosed which device comprises a means for measuring inhaled volume and for halting inhalation at a pre-determined point. The device also comprises an adjustable means for applying various amounts of force to a container of formulation to expel different amounts of drug from the container based on the force applied.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for transdermal delivery comprising: one or more physiologically active agents; one or more dermal penetration enhancers; a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprising a volatile solvent; and a hydrofluorocarbon propellent; wherein the carrier and penetration enhancers combine to provide a single-phase solution of the one or more physiologically active agents.

Abstract: Compositions that include nucleic acid and cationic aminoglycosides and methods for their use are provided. The subject compositions are characterized by having nucleic acid complexed with a cationic aminoglycoside, where the nucleic acid is condensed. In certain embodiments, the cationic aminoglycoside is a cationic aminoglycoside antibiotic. The composition may further include one or more of: functional groups such as targeting moieties, nuclear localization or targeting peptides, endosomolytic peptides and/or one or more lipids and/or polymers, where the lipids may be provided in a manner to encapsulate the nucleic acid. The present invention also provides methods of using and preparing the nucleic acid-aminoglycoside compositions.

Abstract: A method of treatment of a female suffering from androgen insufficiency comprising administering to at least one of the abdomen and forearm of the female a transdermal spray or aerosol comprising an androgen.

Abstract: The need for the-delivery of insulin by injection can be reduced or eliminated by delivering an aerosolized monomeric insulin formulation. Repeatability of dosing and more particularly the repeatability of the blood concentration versus time profile are improved relative to regular insulin. The blood concentration versus time profile is substantially unaffected by specific aspects of the patient's breathing maneuver at delivery. Further, the rate at which blood glucose is lowered is increased by the use of monomeric insulin. Particles of insulin and in particular monomeric insulin delivered to the surface of lung tissue will be absorbed into the circulatory system. The monomeric insulin may be a dry powder but is preferably in a liquid formulation delivered to the patient from a hand-held, self-contained device which automatically releases an aerosolized burst of formulation.

Abstract: Dosages of inhaled insulin are controlled within a narrow range by controlling the total volume of air inhaled by a patient. By repeatedly delivering aerosolized insulin with the same total inhaled volume of air, the amount of insulin delivered to the patient each time is consistent. A device for delivering insulin by inhalation is disclosed which device comprises a means for measuring inhaled volume and for halting inhalation at a pre-determined point. The device also comprises an adjustable means for applying various amounts of force to a container of formulation to expel different amounts of drug from the container based on the force applied.

Abstract: The need for the delivery of insulin by injection can be reduced or eliminated by delivering an aerosolized monomeric insulin formulation. Repeatability of dosing and more particularly the repeatability of the blood concentration versus time profile is improved relative to regular insulin. The blood concentration versus time profile is substantially unaffected by specific aspects of the patient's breathing maneuver at delivery. Further, the rate at which blood glucose is lowered is increased by the use of monomeric insulin. Particles of insulin and in particular monomeric insulin delivered to the surface of lung tissue will be absorbed into the circulatory system. The monomeric insulin may be a dry powder but is preferably in a liquid formulation delivered to the patient from a hand-held, self-contained device which automatically releases an aerosolized burst of formulation.

Abstract: Formulations are disclosed as are aerosols created therefrom. The formulations are comprised of (a) a pharmaceutically active drug which does not ionize in solution; (b) an electrolyte; and (c) a solvent which is preferably water and/or ethanol. The electrolyte reduces electrostatic charging on particles of aerosol formed thereby enhancing characteristics of the aerosol particles which are important for efficient, repeatable intrapulmonary drug delivery.

Abstract: Dosages of inhaled insulin are controlled within a narrow range by controlling the total volume of air inhaled by a patient. By repeatedly delivering aerosolized insulin with the same total inhaled volume of air, the amount of insulin delivered to the patient each time is consistent. A device for delivering insulin by inhalation is disclosed which device comprises a means for measuring inhaled volume and for halting inhalation at a pre-determined point. The device also comprises an adjustable means for applying various amounts of force to a container of formulation to expel different amounts of drug from the container based on the force applied.

Abstract: The need for the delivery of insulin by injection can be reduced or eliminated by a method whereby an aerosolized insulin formulation is delivered to a patient's lungs and the rate at which the insulin is absorbed into the blood is increased by the use of an inhale-exhale breathing maneuver. Particles of insulin delivered to the surface of lung tissue will be absorbed into the circulatory system. The rate of absorption is enhanced by instructing the patient to inhale maximally and thereafter exhale maximally. The insulin is delivered to the patient from a hand-held, self-contained device which automatically releases an aerosolized burst of formulation. The device includes a sensor which is preferably electronic which measures inspiratory flow and volume which measurement can be used to control the point of drug release. The sensor can also assist the patient in the inhale-exhale maneuver.

Abstract: Compositions that include nucleic acid and cationic aminoglycosides and methods for their use are provided. The subject compositions are characterized by having nucleic acid complexed with a cationic aminoglycoside, where the nucleic acid is condensed. In certain embodiments, the cationic aminoglycoside is a cationic aminoglycoside antibiotic. The composition may further include one or more of: functional groups such as targeting moieties, nuclear localization or targeting peptides, endosomolytic peptides and/or one or more lipids and/or polymers, where the lipids may be provided in a manner to encapsulate the nucleic acid. The present invention also provides methods of using and preparing the nucleic acid-aminoglycoside compositions.