Abstract: Phosphate-binding polymers are provided for removing phosphate from the gastrointestinal tract. The polymers are orally administered, and are useful for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia.

Abstract: A method for treating gout and/or reducing serum uric acid levels in a patient is disclosed that includes administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of an amine polymer; for example, an aliphatic amine polymer. Examples of polymers useful in the invention are sevelamer hydrogen chloride and colesevelam.

Abstract: A method for reducing copper levels in a patient and for treating copper toxicosis and Wilson's Disease is disclosed that includes administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of an amine polymer, wherein the amine polymer is substantially water-insoluble or non-absorbent in the gastrointestinal tract. In one embodiment, the amine polymer is aliphatic. Examples of polymers that are useful in an embodiment of the invention include sevelamer hydrogen chloride and colesevelam.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a stable polyallylamine hydrochloride polymer in which between about 4% to about 12% by weight of the polymer is a chloride anion and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for treating hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis, and reducing serum cholesterol in a mammal. The methods of the invention comprise administering to a mammal a first amount of a bile acid sequestrant compound which is an unsubstituted polydiallylamine polymer and a second amount of a cholesterol-lowering agent. The first and second amounts together comprise a therapeutically effective amount.

Abstract: A method for treating a microbial infection in a mammal, such as a human, comprising treating the mammal with a therapeutically effective amount of a polymer comprising an amino group or an ammonium group attached to the polymer backbone via an aliphatic spacer group. The polymer can be a homopolymer or a copolymer. In one embodiment, the polymer is a copolymer comprising a monomer having a pendant ammonium group and a hydrophobic monomer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing bile salts from a patient in need thereof and compositions useful in the method. The method comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a salt of an alkylated and crosslinked polymer. The alkylated and crosslinked polymer salt comprises the reaction product of crosslinked polymers, or salts and copolymers thereof having amine containing repeat units, with at least one aliphatic alkylating agent.

Abstract: A method for removing bile salts from a patient that includes administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a non-absorbable amine polymer characterized by a repeat unit having the formula: and salts thereof, where n is a positive integer and x is zero or an integer between 1 and about 4.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing bile salts from a patient in need thereof and compositions useful in the method. The method comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a salt of an alkylated and crosslinked polymer. The alkylated and crosslinked polymer salt comprises the reaction product of crosslinked polymers, or salts and copolymers thereof having amine containing repeat units, with at least one aliphatic alkylating agent.

Abstract: A method for treating a microbial infection in a mammal, such as a human, comprising treating the mammal with a therapeutically effective amount of a polymer comprising an amino group or an ammonium group attached to the polymer backbone via an aliphatic spacer group. The polymer can be a homopolymer or a copolymer. In one embodiment, the polymer is a copolymer comprising a monomer having a pendant ammonium group and a hydrophobic monomer.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for treating hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis, and reducing serum cholesterol in a mammal. The methods of the invention comprise administering to a mammal a first amount of a bile acid sequestrant compound which is an unsubstituted polydiallylamine polymer and a second amount of a cholesterol-lowering agent. The first and second amounts together comprise a therapeutically effective amount. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions useful for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis, and for reducing serum cholesterol. The pharmaceutical compositions comprise a combination of a first amount of an unsubstituted polydiallylamine polymer compound and a second amount of a cholesterol-lowering agent. The first and second amounts comprise a therapeutically effective amount. The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may optionally contain a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A method for treating a microbial infection in a mammal, such as a human, comprising treating the mammal with a therapeutically effective amount of a polymer comprising an amino group or an ammonium group attached to the polymer backbone via an aliphatic spacer group. The polymer can be a homopolymer or a copolymer. In one embodiment, the polymer is a copolymer comprising a monomer having a pendant ammonium group and a hydrophobic monomer.

Abstract: A method for reducing oxalate levels in a patient that includes administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of non-absorbable amine polymers such as a polymer characterized by a repeat unit having the formula: 1

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing bile salts from a patient in need thereof and compositions useful in the method. The method comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a salt of an alkylated and crosslinked polymer. The alkylated and crosslinked polymer salt comprises the reaction product of crosslinked polymers, or salts and copolymers thereof having amine containing repeat units, with at least one aliphatic alkylating agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating obesity, a method for reducing the absorption of dietary fat, and a method for treating hypertriglyceridemia in a patient and to particular polymers for use in the methods or in a manufacture of a medicament. The methods comprise the step of orally administering to a mammal, such as a human, a therapeutically effective amount of one or more fat-binding polymers. The administration of the fat-binding polymer of the invention facilitates the removal of fat from the body prior to digestion, with minimal side effects and low toxicity. In a preferred embodiment, the one or more fat-binding polymers are administered in combination with one or more lipase inhibitors, for example, lipstatin and tetrahydrolipstatin.

Abstract: A method for reducing oxalate levels in a patient that includes administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of non-absorbable amine polymers such as a polymer characterized by a repeat unit having the formula: and salts and copolymers thereof, where n is a positive integer and x is zero or an integer between 1 and about 4.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for treating hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis, and reducing serum cholesterol in a mammal. The methods of the invention comprise administering to a mammal a first amount of a bile acid sequestrant compound which is an unsubstituted polydiallylamine polymer and a second amount of an HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor compound. The first and second amounts together comprise a therapeutically effective amount. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions useful for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis, and for reducing serum cholesterol. The pharmaceutical compositions comprise a combination of a first amount of an unsubstituted polydiallylamine polymer compound and a second amount of an HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor compound. The first and second amounts comprise a therapeutically effective amount. The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may optionally contain a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating obesity, a method for reducing the absorption of dietary fat, and a method for treating hypertriglyceridemia in a patient and to particular polymers for use in the methods or in a manufacture of a medicament. The methods comprise the step of orally administering to a mammal, such as a human, a therapeutically effective amount of one or more fat-binding polymers. The administration of the fat-binding polymer of the invention facilitates the removal of fat from the body prior to digestion, with minimal side effects and low toxicity. In a preferred embodiment, the one or more fat-binding polymers are administered in combination with one or more lipase inibitors, for example, lipstatin and tetrahydrolipstatin.

Abstract: A method for treating hypercholesterolemia in a patient that includes administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a polydiallylamine polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing bile salts from a patient in need thereof and compositions use full in the method. The method comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a salt of an alkylated and crosslinked polymer. The alkylated and crosslinked polymer salt comprises the reaction product of polymers, or salts and copolymers thereof having amine containing repeat units, with at least one aliphatic alkylating agent and a crosslinking agent.