Abstract: Composition of matter for application to a body surface or membrane to administer fluoxetine by permeation through the body surface or membrane, the composition comprising fluoxetine to be administered, at a therapeutically effective rate, alone or in combination with a permeation enhancer or mixture. A preferred embodiment is directed to the transdermal administration of fluoxetine at reduced skin irritation levels wherein fluoxetine, preferably provided as fluoxetine acetate, is coadministered with a corticosteroid such as hydrocortisone. Also disclosed are drug delivery devices containing the fluoxetine or fluoxetine and enhancer composition and methods for the transdermal administration of the fluoxetine and fluoxetine/enhancer composition.

Abstract: Composition of matter for application to a body surface or membrane to administer pergolide by permeation through the body surface or membrane, the composition comprising pergolide to be administered, at a therapeutically effective rate, alone or in combination with a permeation enhancer or mixture. Also disclosed are drug delivery devices containing the pergolide or pergolide and enhancer composition and methods for the transdermal administration of the pergolide and pergolide/enhancer composition.

Abstract: Composition of matter for application to a body surface or membrane to administer fluoxetine by permeation through the body surface or membrane, the composition comprising fluoxetine to be administered, at a therapeutically effective rate, alone or in combination with a permeation enhancer or mixture. A preferred embodiment is directed to the transdermal administration of fluoxetine at reduced skin irritation levels wherein fluoxetine, preferably provided as fluoxetine acetate, is coadministered with a corticosteroid such as hydrocortisone. Also disclosed are drug delivery devices containing the fluoxetine or fluoxetine and enhancer composition and methods for the transdermal administration of the fluoxetine and fluoxetine/enhancer composition.

Abstract: Composition of matter for application to a body surface or membrane to administer pergolide by permeation through the body surface or membrane, the composition comprising pergolide to be administered, at a therapeutically effective rate, alone or in combination with a permeation enhancer or mixture. Also disclosed are drug delivery devices containing the pergolide or pergolide and enhancer composition and methods for the transdermal administration of the pergolide and pergolide/enhancer composition.

Abstract: Composition of matter for application to a body surface or membrane to administer fluoxetine by permeation through the body surface or membrane, the composition comprising fluoxetine to be administered, at a therapeutically effective rate, alone or in combination with a permeation enhancer or mixture. A preferred embodiment is directed to the transdermal administration of fluoxetine at reduced skin irritation levels wherein fluoxetine, preferably provided as fluoxetine acetate, is coadministered with a corticosteroid such as hydrocortisone. Also disclosed are drug delivery devices containing the fluoxetine or fluoxetine and enhancer composition and methods for the transdermal administration of the fluoxetine and fluoxetine/enhancer composition.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a composition and product for use in an electrotransport device. The composition includes an ionized drug, an anti-inflammatory agent and a solvent. Preferably, the anti-inflammatory agent is hydrocortisone or esters thereof, and the solvent is water and a material such as an alcohol, a glycol, a glycerol, a cyclodextrin, a nonionic surfactant and/or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An improved process for manufacturing transdermal drug delivery devices and devices made therefrom. The invention provides a heat equilibration process for the manufacture of drug delivery devices which eliminates the need to preload the body contacting layer with a drug. The method has particular application in the manufacture of transdermal drug delivery devices including a drug reservoir comprising drug in excess of saturation.

Abstract: An improved process for manufacturing transdermal drug delivery devices and devices made therefrom. The invention provides a heat equilibration process for the manufacture of drug delivery devices which eliminates the need to preload the body contacting layer with a drug. The method has particular application in the manufacture of transdermal drug delivery devices including a drug reservoir comprising drug in excess of saturation.

Abstract: Composition of matter for application to a body surface or membrane to administer pergolide by permeation through the body surface or membrane, the composition comprising pergolide to be administered, at a therapeutically effective rate, alone or in combination with a permeation enhancer or mixture. Also disclosed are drug delivery devices containing the pergolide or pergolide and enhancer composition and methods for the transdermal administration of the pergolide and pergolide/enhancer composition.

Abstract: A composition suitable for transdermal electrotransport delivery of an agent through a body surface comprises a free acid/base form of an agent to be delivered by transdermal electrotransport, and a salt form of the agent, and optionally a permeation enhancer. Methods of enhancing transdermal electrotransport delivery and of forming a composition for the enhancement of transdermal electrotransport drug delivery, and a transdermal electrotransport delivery device (10) utilizing the compositions of the invention are disclosed.

Abstract: An electrotransport device (10) for transdermal delivery of an agent through a body surface has a donor reservoir (16) which contains a compound formed of the agent and a transdermal permeation enhancer, the compound being able to dissociate into an agent ion and an enhancer counter ion. Methods of enhancing transdermal electrotransport drug delivery and methods of forming a composition exhibiting enhanced transdermal electrotransport drug delivery are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a composition and product for use in an electrotransport device. The composition includes an ionized drug, an anti-inflammatory agent and a solvent. Preferably, the anti-inflammatory agent is hydrocortisone or esters thereof, and the solvent is an alcohol, a glycol, a glycerol, a cyclodextrin, a nonionic surfactant or mixtures thereof. The composition preferably further includes a gel matrix that is a swellable, hydrophilic polymer, a water soluble hydrophilic polymer or a solid polymer. A hydrophobic polymer and/or additives may also be included.

Abstract: A device for the transdermal administration of a drug to a sensitive body area such as the scrotum. Devices according to the invention provide an improved quality of adhesion to the body area while also providing patient comfort during use and upon removal of the device. Also disclosed are methods of transdermal delivery such as the transcrotal delivery of testosterone to hypogonadic males.

Abstract: An electrotransport drug delivery device which delivers an anti-inflammatory agent in order to reduce skin irritation associated with electrotransport delivery of the drug is provided. The anti-inflammatory agent is selected from hydrocortisone, esters of hydrocortisone and salts thereof.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a sustained release delivery device for delivering a beneficial agent into the oral cavity of a patient. More particularly, the invention relates to a device comprising about 0.1% to about 20% by weight beneficial agent, about 40% to about 95% by weight ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer having a vinyl acetate content of about 4% to about 80% and about 1% to about 60% by weight polyvinyl pyrrolidone.

Abstract: Rate controlled transdermal delivery devices are disclosed which utilize an in-line adhesive to maintain the device on the skin and deliver an agent which is a solvent or a plasticizer for the in-line adhesive. The initial equilibrated concentration of the agent in the agent reservoir and the adhesive is below saturation, and the reservoir comprises the agent dissolved in a solvent with respect to which the rate controlling element of the device is substantially impermeable. In preferred embodiments the initial loading of the agent in reservoir is sufficient to prevent the activity of the agent in the reservoir from decreasing by more than about 50% and preferably no more than about 25% during the predetermined period of administration: and the thicknesses of the adhesive, rate controlling membrane and reservoir layers are selected so that at least 50% and preferably at least 75% initial equilibrated agent loading is in the reservoir layer.

Abstract: Rate controlled transdermal delivery devices are disclosed which utilize an in-line adhesive to maintain the device on the skin and deliver an agent which is a solvent or a plasticizer for the in-line adhesive. The initial equilibrated concentration of the agent in the agent reservoir and the adhesive is below saturation, and the reservoir comprises the agent dissolved in a solvent with respect to which the rate controlling element of the device is substantially impermeable. In preferred embodiments the initial loading of the agent in reservoir is sufficient to prevent the activity of the agent in the reservoir from decreasing by more than about 50% and preferably no more than about 25% during the predetermined period of administration; and the thicknesses of the adhesive, rate controlling membrane and reservoir layers are selected so that at least 50% and preferably at least 75% initial equilibrated agent loading is in the reservoir layer.

Abstract: Rate controlled transdermal delivery devices are disclosed which utilize an in-line adhesive to maintain the device on the skin and deliver an agent which is a solvent or a plasticizer for the in-line adhesive. The initial equilibrated concentration of the agent in the agent reservoir and the adhesive is below saturation, and the reservoir comprises the agent dissolved in a solvent with respect to which the rate controlling element of the device is substantially impermeable. In preferred embodiments the initial loading of the agent in reservoir is sufficient to prevent the activity of the agent in the reservoir from decreasing by more than about 50% and preferably no more than about 25% during the predetermined period of administration; and the thicknesses of the adhesive, rate controlling membrane and reservoir layers are selected so that at least 50% and preferably at least 75% initial equilibrated agent loading is in the reservoir layer.

Abstract: Rate-controlled transdermal delivery devices are disclosed which utilize an in-line adhesive to maintain the device on the skin and deliver an agent which is a solvent for the in-line adhesive. The initial equilibrated concentration of the agent in the agent reservoir and the adhesive is below saturation and the reservoir comprises the agent dissolved in a solvent with respect to which the rate controlling element of the device is substantially impermeable. In preferred embodiments the initial loading of the agent in reservoir is sufficient to prevent the activity of the agent in the reservoir from decreasing by more than about 50% and preferrably no more than about 25% during the predetermined period of administration; and the thicknesses of the adhesive, rate controlling membrane and reservoir layers are selected so that at least 50% and, preferrably at least 75% initial equilibrated agent loading is in the reservoir layer.

Abstract: A medical device for the transdermal delivery of an active agent through sensitive intact skin is provided. The device comprises a matrix containing the drug having reinforcing means, preferably in the form of a fabric, embedded in the upper surface of the matrix. The matrix is formed of an agent permeable material which is tacky but does not adhesively bond to the skin. The device is sufficiently flexible and deformable that the combination of tackiness, flexibility, and deformation permits the device to be maintained in agent transmitting relationship upon skin at such sensitive areas as the scrotum, labia, breast, or penis, for example. In certain embodiments, the skin distal surface is provided with a layer of an agent impermeable material to reduce transfer of the agent from the patient to others.