Title:  Method of treating acne vulgaris and composition

United States Patent:  6,740,330

Issued:  May 25, 2004

Inventors:  Bernstein; Joel E. (Deerfield, IL)

Assignee:  Sirius Laboratories, Inc. (Vernon Hills, IL)

Appl. No.:  847151

Filed:   May 2, 2001

Abstract

An article for use in the treatment of acne vulgaris comprises a cloth pledgette impregnated with a composition comprising benzoyl peroxide and an amount of acetone sufficient to solubilize the benzoyl peroxide. In a preferred embodiment, the article is packaged in an individual pouch. A method of manufacturing the article is disclosed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention and in the claims, all percentage amounts are stated in terms of weight percent (% w/w).

In accordance with this invention, compositions are provided whereby benzoyl peroxide is incorporated in vehicles containing about 30% to about 100% acetone so that the benzoyl peroxide is solubilized. Cloth pledgettes made of cotton, wool, nylon, rayon or other synthetic fabrics are then impregnated with such compositions and the resulting individual benzoyl peroxide pledgettes preferably are packaged in individual pouches, such as foil or plastic. Individual benzoyl peroxide pouches are then opened, the pledgette removed, and the pledgette rubbed across the surface of the face or other acne bearing area which the patient intends to treat for acne. Following use in this fashion, individual pledgettes are then discarded.

The instant invention thus relates to an article for use in the treatment of acne vulgaris, the article comprising a fiber pledgette impregnated with a composition comprising benzoyl peroxide and an amount of acetone sufficient to solubilize the benzoyl peroxide. Preferably, the pledgettes are packaged in individual pouches. The instant invention also comprises the method of manufacturing an article for use in the treatment of acne vulgaris comprising impregnating fiber pledgettes with a composition comprising benzoyl peroxide and an amount of acetone sufficient to solubilize the benzoyl peroxide, preferably packaging the pledgettes in individual pouches. The pouches can comprise known flexible, impermeable, sealable non-reactive materials such as aluminum foil, plastic film, or combinations of such materials.

The composition used to impregnate the cloth pledgette comprises benzoyl peroxide in the range of about 2-10%, and most preferably about 4.0-10%. Purified water is optionally present in an amount ranging from 0% to about 65%. Other optional ingredients include polyethylene glycol 400, which can be present in the range of about 0-15%, and glycerin which can be present in the range of about 0-20%. The balance of the composition is acetone. In a preferred embodiment the composition will comprise at least about 30% acetone.

The composition is prepared by blending the selected ingredients at ambient temperature until solubilization of the benzoyl peroxide is complete. Pledgettes of a desired fabric are then impregnated with the composition. Preferably, the pledgettes are packaged in individual pouches.

The following examples illustrate the present invention.

EXAMPLE 1

A composition comprising benzoyl peroxide 4.5%, acetone 69.0%, purified water 16.5%, and polyethylene glycol 400 10.0% was prepared and used to impregnate cotton pledgettes. Twenty-three acne patients ages 18-25 years applied the resulting product to their cheeks for five days with excellent results.

EXAMPLE 2

A composition comprising benzoyl peroxide 5.5%, acetone 67.0%, purified water 15.0%, and polyethylene glycol 400 12.5% was prepared and used to impregnate rayon pledgettes. Twenty-three acne patients ages 18-25 years applied the resulting product to the cheeks for five days with excellent results.

EXAMPLE 3

A composition comprising benzoyl peroxide 2.5%, acetone 35.0%, purified water 57.5%, and glycerin 5.0% was prepared and used to impregnate cotton pledgettes.

EXAMPLE 4

A composition comprising benzoyl peroxide 10.0%, acetone 88.2%, and purified water 1.8% was prepared and used to impregnate cotton pledgettes.

EXAMPLE 5

A composition comprising benzoyl peroxide 5.5%, acetone 73.5%, purified water 15.9%, and glycerin 5.0%. The resulting formulation was used to impregnate cotton pledgettes.

While the foregoing is a description of the preferred embodiments of the instant invention it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claim 1 of 28 Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An article comprising a fiber pledgette impregnated with a liquid composition comprising about 2-10% benzoyl peroxide, at least about 30% acetone, water, and either polyethylene glycol or glycerine, the article being suitable for use in the application of benzoyl peroxide to the skin of a person afflicted with acne vulgaris for the treatment of acne vulgaris.

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