Title:  Iodine-containing nasal moisturizing saline and mouthwash solutions

United States Patent:  6,171,611

Appl. No.:  234156

The present invention reveals an iodine-containing nasal moisturizing saline solution, a method for the prevention and/or treatment of sinusitis and related conditions associated with nasal congestion, an iodine-containing mouthwash solution and a method for the prevention and/or treatment of sore throats caused by bacteria and viruses. The nasal moisturizing saline solution is made of water, sodium chloride, iodine, buffer and a preservative. The mouthwash solution is made of iodine and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a nasal moisturizing saline solution, a method for the prevention and/or treatment of sinusitis and related conditions associated with nasal congestion, a mouthwash solution and a method for the prevention and/or treatment of sore throats caused by microbes.

The nasal moisturizing saline solution is comprised of water; sodium chloride, 0.65% by weight; iodine or iodine salt, at least 0.001% by weight; buffer; and a preservative, where the nasal moisturizing saline solution is buffered and made isotonic.

The iodine or iodine salt is present in the nasal moisturizing saline solution at a concentration between from about 0.001% to about 0.03% by weight. The buffer is selected from the group consisting of sodium bicarbonate, disodium phosphate/sodium phosphate and monobasic potassium phosphate/sodium hydroxide. The preservative is selected from the group consisting of phenylcarbinol, benzalkonium chloride and thimerosal.

In a preferred embodiment, the iodine or iodine salt is present in the nasal moisturizing saline solution at a concentration of about 0.02% by weight, the buffer is sodium bicarbonate and the preservative is phenylcarbinol.

In another preferred embodiment, the iodine or iodine salt is present in the nasal moisturizing saline solution at a concentration of about 0.01% by weight, the buffer is sodium bicarbonate and the preservative is phenylcarbinol.

In the method for the prevention and/or treatment of sinusitis and related conditions associated with nasal congestion, a nasal moisturizing saline solution is administered to the nostrils of a patient in need thereof. The nasal moisturizing saline solution is comprised of water; sodium chloride, 0.65% by weight; iodine or iodine salt, at least 0.001% by weight; buffer; and a preservative, where the nasal moisturizing saline solution is buffered and made isotonic.

The iodine or iodine salt is present in the nasal moisturizing saline solution at a concentration between from about 0.001% to about 0.03% by weight. The buffer is selected from the group consisting of sodium bicarbonate, disodium phosphate/sodium phosphate and monobasic potassium phosphate/sodium hydroxide. The preservative is selected from the group consisting of phenylcarbinol, benzalkonium chloride and thimerosal.

In a preferred embodiment, the iodine or iodine salt is present in the nasal moisturizing saline solution at a concentration of about 0.02% by weight, the buffer is sodium bicarbonate and the preservative is phenylcarbinol.

In another preferred embodiment, the iodine or iodine salt is present in the nasal moisturizing saline solution at a concentration of about 0.01% by weight, the buffer is sodium bicarbonate and the preservative is phenylcarbinol.

The mouthwash solution is comprised of iodine or iodine salt, at least 0.0001% by weight, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The iodine salt may be selected from the group consisting of ammonium iodate, ammonium iodide, calcium iodate, calcium iodide, iodine monochloride, iodine trichloride, magnesium iodate, magnesium iodide, potassium iodate, potassium iodide, sodium iodate, sodium iodide, zinc iodate and zinc iodide.

In a preferred embodiment of the mouthwash solution, the iodine or iodine salt is present in the solution at a concentration between from about 0.0001% to about 0.03% by weight.

The method for the prevention and/or treatment of sore throats caused by microbes, comprises administering a mouthwash solution to the mouth and throat of a patient in need thereof, where the mouthwash solution comprises iodine or iodine salt, at least 0.0001% by weight, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Claim 1 of 20 Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A nasal moisturizing saline solution, comprising:

a) water,

b) sodium chloride, 0.65% by weight,

c) iodine or iodine salt, at least 0.001% by weight,

d) buffer, and

e) a preservative,

wherein the nasal moisturizing saline solution is buffered and made isotonic.

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