United States Patent:  5,955,098

Assignee:  Flemington Pharmaceutical Corp. (Flemington, NJ)

Filed:  April 12, 1996

A buccal aerosol spray or capsule using a non-polar solvent has now been developed which provides biologically active compounds for rapid absorption through the oral mucosa, resulting in fast onset of effect. The buccal aerosol spray of the invention comprises formulation I: propellant 50-95%, non-polar solvent 5-50%, active compound 0.001-15%, flavoring agent 00.05-5%. The soft bite gelatin capsule of the invention comprises formulation II: non-polar solvent 55-99.8%, emulsifier 0-20%, active compound 0.001-25%, and flavoring agent 0.05-5.0%.

Summary of the Invention

A buccal aerosol spray or soft bite gelatin capsule using a non-polar solvent has now been developed which provides biologically active compounds for rapid absorption through the oral mucosa, resulting in fast onset of effect.

The buccal aerosol spray compositions of the present invention, for transmucosal administration of a pharmacologically active compound soluble in a pharmacologically acceptable non-polar solvent comprising in weight % of total composition: pharmaceutically acceptable propellant 50-95%, non-polar solvent 5-50%, active compound 0.0025-40%, suitably additionally comprising, by weight of total composition a flavoring agent 0.05-5%. Preferably the composition comprises: propellant 55-85%, non-polar solvent 15-45%, active compound 0.025-20%, flavoring agent 0.1-2.5%; most suitably propellant 60-80%, non-polar solvent 19-32%, active compound 0.125-12.5%, flavoring agent 0.1-3.0%.

The soft bite gelatin capsules of the present invention for transmucosal administration of a pharmacologically active compound, at least partially soluble in a pharmacologically acceptable non-polar solvent, having charged thereto a fill composition comprising in weight % of total composition: non-polar solvent 30-99.8%, emulsifier 0-20%, active compound 0.0003-32%, provided that said fill composition contains less than 10% of water, suitably additionally comprising, by weight of the composition: flavoring agent 0.05-60%. Preferably, the soft bite gelatin capsule comprises: non-polar solvent 40-99.8%, emulsifier 0-15%, active compound 0.004-26%, flavoring agent 0.1-55%; most suitably: non-polar solvent 40-99.5%, emulsifier 0-10%, active compound 0.015-24.0%, flavoring agent 0.1-50%.

It is an object of the invention to coat the mucosal membranes either with extremely fine droplets of spray containing the active compounds or a solution or paste thereof from bite capsules.

It is also an object of the invention to administer to a mammalian in need of same preferably man, a predetermined amount of a biologically active compound by this method or from a soft gelatin bite capsule.

A further object is a sealed aerosol spray container containing a composition of the spray formulation, and a metered valve suitable for releasing from said container a predetermined amount of said composition.

As the propellant evaporates after activation of the aerosol valve, a mist of fine droplets is formed which contains solvent and active compound.

The propellant is a non-Freon material, preferably a C_3-8 hydrocarbon of a linear or branched configuration. The propellant should be substantially non-aqueous. The propellant produces a pressure in the aerosol container such that under expected normal usage it will produce sufficient pressure to expel the solvent from the container when the valve is activated but not excessive pressure such as to damage the container or valve seals.

The solvent is a non-polar hydrocarbon, preferably a C_7-18 hydrocarbon of a linear or branched configuration, its alcohols, fatty acid esters, and triglycerides, such as miglyol. The solvent must dissolve the active compound and be miscible with the propellant, i.e., solvent and propellant must form a single phase at 0-40^oC. at a pressure range of 1-3 atm.

A further object is a soft gelatin bite capsule containing a composition of as set forth above. The formulation may be in the form of a viscous solution or paste containing the active compounds. Although solutions are preferred, paste fills may also be used where the active compound is not soluble or only partially soluble in the solvent of choice. Where water is used to form part of the paste composition, it should not exceed 10% thereof. (All percentages herein are by weight unless otherwise indicated.)

The non-polar solvent is chosen such that it is compatible with the gelatin shell and the active compound. The solvent preferably dissolves the active compound. However, other components wherein the active compound is not soluble or only slightly soluble may be used and will form a paste fill.

Soft gelatin capsules are well known in the art. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,243, Borkan et al., which is incorporated herein by reference for its teaching of such capsules. The capsules of the present invention are intended to be bitten into to release the low viscosity solution or paste therein, which will then coat the buccal mucosa with the active compounds. Typical capsules, which are swallowed whole or bitten and then swallowed, deliver the active compounds the stomach, which results in significant lag time before maximum blood levels can be achieved or subject the compound to a large first pass effect. Because of the enhanced absorption of the compounds through the oral mucosa and no chance of a first pass effect, use of the bite capsules of the invention will eliminate much of the lag time, resulting in hastened onset of biological effect. The shell of a soft gelatin capsule of the invention may comprise, for example: gelatine 50-75%, glycerine 20-30%, colorants 0.5-1.5%, water 5-10%, and sorbitol 2-10%.

The spray compositions of the invention are intended to be administered from a sealed, pressurized container. Unlike a pump spray, which allows the entry of air into the container after every activation, the aerosol container of the invention is sealed at the time of manufacture. The contents of the container are released by activation of a metered valve, will does not allow entry of atmospheric gasses with each activation. Such containers are commercially available.

Claim 1 of 18 Claims

1. A buccal aerosol spray composition for transmucosal administration of a pharmacologically active compound soluble in a pharmacologically acceptable non-polar solvent comprising in weight % of total composition: pharmaceutically acceptable propellant selected from the group consisting of C_{3 Through 8} hydrocarbons of linear or branch configuration 50-95%, non-polar solvent 5-50%, active 0.0025-40% wherein the active compound is selected from the group consisting of alkaloids. anti-histamines, steroid hormones, non-steroidal and anti-inflammatories, analgesics, benzediazepines and anti-depressants.

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