Abstract: A method of preparing porous microparticles comprises the steps of combining one or more organic compounds with a volatile system, and drying the system thus formed to provide substantially pure porous microparticles of the organic compound or composite porous microparticles of combinations of organic compounds. Organic compounds used in the method may be one or more of a bioactive, a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant or combinations thereof. The invention also relates to porous microparticles produced by such a method, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such porous microparticles.

Abstract: A method of preparing porous microparticles comprises the steps of combining one or more organic compounds with a volatile solvent system, and spray drying the system thus formed to provide porous microparticles of the organic compound or composite porous microparticles of combinations of organic compounds. Organic compounds used in the method may be one or more of a bioactive, a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A transdermal device for the controlled administration of a drug to the skin comprises a reservoir (12) for the drug and an electric circuit which includes an electrode system (13, 14) which is operable to actively transport the drug in a controlled manner from the reservoir (12) towards the skin for transport therethrough, the skin not being part of the electric circuit, and the drug passing through an electrode (13) of said electrode system (13, 14) during the active transport to the skin. The electrode (13) is disposed between the reservoir (12) for the drug and an optional transit chamber (15). The electrode (13) can be permeable to the drug or the electrode can function as a gate, being permeable to the drug in the open condition and less permeable to the drug in the closed condition. The operation of the gate can be determined by the composition or the structure of the electrode (13). The device achieves drug delivery rates comparable to those achieved with iontophoretic devices.

Abstract: A preparation for the once-daily, percutaneous administration of nicotine comprises nicotine uniformly distributed in a solid, semi-solid or mucilaginous medium which can be placed in intimate contact with the skin, the solid, semi-solid or mucilaginous medium is formed by adding a given amount of nicotine to a solution of a solidifying or gel-forming agent or mixture thereof in a suitable solvent or mixture of solvents and mixing or heating the mixture thereby obtained so as to form the solid, semi-solid or mucilaginous medium. The preparation can be used in a method of treating withdrawal symptoms associated with smoking cessation and for combating the psychological dependence that occurs through frequent smoking.

Abstract: A transdermal device having a detachably mounted electrode with a first surface adapted for contact with human skin and through which a drug substance contained in the electrode passes to the skin under the influence of an iontophoretic or electro-osmotic force and a second surface which is electrically conducting, the electrode has a surface area in contact with the skin, in use, in the range 0.1 to 30 cm.sup.2 and a drug dissolved or dispersed in a hydrophilic medium at a concentration in the range 0.1 to 15% (w/v) based on the hydrophilic medium.

Abstract: A preparation for the once-daily, percutaneous administration of nicotine comprises nicotine uniformly distributed in a solid, semi-solid or mucilaginous medium which can be placed in intimate contact with the skin, the solid, semi-solid or mucilaginous medium is formed by adding a given amount of nicotine to a solution of a solidifying or gel-forming agent or mixture thereon in a suitable solvent or mixture of solvents and mixing or heating the mixture thereby obtained so as to form the solid, semi-solid or mucilaginous medium.The preparation can be used in a method of treating withdrawal symptoms associated with smoking cessation and for combating the psychological dependence that occurs through frequency smoking.

Abstract: The present invention relates to medicaments with a high degree of dissolution rate and solubility. These medicaments are characterized in that they are in amorphous form produced by spraying in the presence of a stabilizer and of an agent inhibiting the formation of crystals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to medicaments with a high degree of dissolution rate and solubility. These medicaments are characterized in that they are in amorphous form produced by spraying in the presence of a stabilizer and of an agent inhibiting the formation of crystals.