Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for removing bile acids from a patient and certain polymers of use in the method. The method comprises the step of administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a polymer composition which includes a a poly(diallylamine) polymer which is substituted with hydrophobic groups. The hydrophobic groups can be a substituted or unsubstituted, straight chain or branched C3-C24-alkyl group, an aralkyl group or an aryl group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for sequestering bile acids in a patient and to particular polymers for use in the method. The invention further relates to a method for reducing blood cholesterol, treating atherosclerosis, treating hypercholesterolemia and/or reducing plasma lipid content of a mammal. The methods of the invention comprise orally administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a polymer characterized by a polyether backbone and amino or ammonium groups pendant therefrom. The amino nitrogen atoms can be substituted by one or more substituents independently selected from among substituted and unsubstituted, normal, branched and cyclic alkyl groups, and aryl groups. When the polymer comprises pendant ammonium or quaternary ammonium groups, the polymer will be associated with a pharmaceutically acceptable anion.

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 present invention relates to a method for sequestering bile acids in a patient and to particular polymers for use in the method. The method comprises the step of orally administering to a mammal, such as a human, a therapeutically effective amount of a new class of water-insoluble noncrosslinked amine polymers.The water-insoluble noncrosslinked amine polymer comprises an amine-containing monomer or repeat unit which has one or more substituents bound to an amine nitrogen of the amine polymer. The substituent or substituents which are bound to the amine nitrogens of the amine polymer include a hydrophobic moiety and/or a quaternary amine-containing moiety.

Abstract: A method for removing bile salts from a patient that includes administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a non-absorbable polydiallylamine polymers.

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: 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 an alkylated and crosslinked polymer. The alkylated and crosslinked polymer 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.

Abstract: A method for removing bile salts from a patient by ion exchange by administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of one or more highly crosslinked polymers characterized by a repeat unit having the formula ##STR1## or copolymer thereof, where n is an integer; R.sup.1 is H or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group; M is ##STR2## Z is O, NR.sup.3 R, S, or (CH.sub.2).sub.m ; m=0-10; R.sup.3 is H or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group; and R.sup.2 is ##STR3## where p=0-10, and each R.sup.4, R.sup.5, and R.sup.6, independently, is H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group, or an aryl group.

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: ##STR1## 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 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 an alkylated and crosslinked polymer. The alkylated and crosslinked polymer 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a poly(allylamine) polymer and, more generally, a hydrocarbon amine polymer. Preferably, these polymers are crosslinked. The present invention also relates to methods of forming these polymers and methods for their use. Further, the present invention relates to alkylating agents that can be employed to form the polymers and to methods for forming the alkylating agents. Generally, the polymer sequestrant includes a substituent bound to an amine of the polymer. The substituent includes a quaternary amine-containing moiety having one, two or three terminal hydrophobic substituents. A method of preparing quaternary amine-containing alkylating agents includes reacting an unsymmetrical dihalide with a tertiary amine having at least one hydrophobic substituent. A method for binding bile salts of bile acids in a mammal includes orally administering to the mammal a therapeutically-effective amount of the polymer sequestrant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymer compositions and methods of using said compositions for sequestering bile acids in a patient. The polymer compositions of this invention comprise a copolymer characterized by one or more hydrophilic nonamine-containing monomers or repeat units and one or more amine-containing monomers or repeat units. The amine-containing monomers or repeat units of the polymer compositions have one or more substituents bound to a portion of the amine nitrogens. The substituent or substituents which are bound to the amine nitrogens of the polymer composition can include a hydrophobic moiety and/or a quaternary amine-containing moiety. Suitable amine-containing monomers or repeat units include, but are not limited to, for example, vinylamine, allylamine, diallylamine, diallylmethylamine, and ethyleneimine, which are appropriately substituted, as described above.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for removing bile salts from a patient, comprising the step of administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a polymer network composition comprising a cationic polymer. In one embodiment, the polymer network is an interpenetrating polymer network. In another embodiment, the polymer network is a semi-interpenetrating polymer network.

Abstract: An amine polymer includes first and second substituents bound to amines of the polymer. The first substituent includes a hydrophobic moiety. The second substituent includes a quaternary amine-containing moiety. A method for binding bile salts of bile acids in a mammal includes orally administering to the mammal a therapeutically-effective amount of the amine polymer.

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 an alkylated and crosslinked polymer. The alkylated and crosslinked polymer 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a poly(allylamine) polymer and, more generally, a hydrocarbon amine polymer. Preferably, these polymers are crosslinked. The present invention also relates to methods of forming these polymers and methods for their use. Further, the present invention relates to alkylating agents that can be employed to form the polymers and to methods for forming the alkylating agents Generally, the polymer sequestrant includes a substituent bound to an amine of the polymer. The substituent includes a quaternary amine-containing moiety having one, two or three terminal hydrophobic substituents. A method of preparing quaternary amine-containing alkylating agents includes reacting an unsymmetrical dihalide with a tertiary amine having at least one hydrophobic substituent. A method for binding bile salts of bile acids in a mammal includes orally administering to the mammal a therapeutically-effective amount of the polymer sequestrant.

Abstract: A method for removing bile salts from a patient by ion exchange by administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of one or more highly crosslinked polymers characterized by a repeat unit having the formula ##STR1## or copolymer thereof, where n is an integer; R.sup.1 is H or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group: M is ##STR2## Z is O, NR.sup.3, S, or (CH.sub.2).sub.m ; m=0-10; R.sup.3 is H or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group; and R.sup.2 is ##STR3## where p=0-10, and each R.sup.4, R.sup.5, and R.sup.6, independently, is H, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group, or an aryl group.

Abstract: A method for removing bile salts from a patient by ion exchange by administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of one or more highly crosslinked polymers characterized by a repeat unit having the formula ##STR1## or copolymer thereof, where n is an integer; R.sup.1 is H or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group: M is ##STR2## Z is O, NR.sup.3, S, or (CH.sub.2).sub.m ; m=0-10; R.sup.3 is H or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group; and R.sup.2 is ##STR3## where p=0-10, and each R.sup.4, R.sup.5, and R.sup.6, independently is H, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group, or an aryl group.

Abstract: Iron binding polymers are provided for decreasing the absorption of iron from the gastrointestinal tract. The polymers are orally administered, and are useful for treatment of iron overload disorders.