A method and composition for the treatment of acne vulgaris, acne rosacea, and other inflammatory skin conditions comprises the oral administration of a composition comprising a dose of nicotinamide delivered at levels substantially in excess of normal dietary levels, the nicotinamide being delivered in combination with zinc. The composition may also include quantities of copper and folic acid. In a most preferred embodiment, the nicotinamide and copper each are present in immediate release formats, while the zinc is present in a sustained release format.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the use of a unique oral preparation for the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions. More particularly, this invention relates to a composition and method for the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions such as acne rosacea and acne vulgaris comprising an immediate release form of nicotinamide in combination with a sustained release form of zinc combined complementary other active ingredients to provide optimum levels of several different treatment modalities. The combination of an immediate release nicotinamide and sustained release zinc provides an unexpected synergistic anti-inflammatory effect that is not observed with combinations of immediate release forms of both chemicals.

Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous glands characterized by an eruption of the skin, often pustular in nature but not suppurative. Acne is a common affliction of the adolescent and affects a small but significant percentage of the adult population. Acne lesions are of four basic types: comedones (blackheads or whiteheads), papules, pustules, and cysts (or nodules). Various topical agents are utilized in the treatment of acne and these include sulfur, resorcinol, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, vitamin A acid and topical antibiotics. Other treatment methods include topically applying various scrubbing or abrasive compositions, topically applying deep cleaning or astringent compositions, and also exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Acne involvement can result in unsightly lesions, particularly on the face, and in some cases in severe scarring.

Acne rosacea is another inflammatory skin affliction characterized by erythema with or without an acneiform component (papules, pustules, or nodules). Rosacea typically occurs in adults of about 30-50 years of age. The acneiform component or rosacea has been treated in the past in a fashion similar to the treatment for acne vulgaris. Systemic antibiotics have also been helpful.

Nicotinamide and nicotinic acid are water soluble vitamins whose physiologically active forms include nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP). Nicotinamide and nicotinic acid have been used routinely to treat pellegra for which they are therapeutic. Nicotinamide is available from a variety of pharmaceutical houses such as Roche Vitamin, Inc., of Nutley, N.J.; Armor Pharmaceutical Company located in Phoenix Ariz.; Brown Pharmaceutical Company Inc. located in Los Angeles, Calif.; and Keith Pharmaceutical Inc. located in Miami, Fla.

It is known that a high dose of immediate release nicotinamide will have greater bioavailability and greater extended activity than that of a sustained release application.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,505,896 teaches the use of oral compositions containing nicotinamide in the treatment of acne vulgaris. The nicotinamide is administered orally in doses of 100-600 milligrams per day in divided doses taken 2 to 4 times per day. The treatment was reported to decrease inflammatory lesions such as papules, pustules, and cysts, but not comedones.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,725,609 teaches the topical application of nicotinamide to promote angiogenesis, reepithelialization and wound healing.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,153 teaches a method for treatment of acne vulgaris comprising administration to a patient of a mixture of pantothenic acid, nicotinic acid, and biotin, to generate nicotinamide in vivo.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,989,523 teaches a topical spray of 1-10% niacinamide with a humectant to treat acne.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,351 teaches selectively administering a daily dosage of carotenoids, nicotinamide, and a source of zinc, in excess of normal dietary levels for improving resistance to DNA damage, enhancing DNA repair capacity, and stimulating immune function.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,763 teaches the topical application of nicotinamide to treat acne.

It has been reported in the medical literature that acne is often associated with low zinc levels in blood serum and in the epidermal layer. The therapeutic effect of zinc as an anti-inflammatory agent has been well documented, and oral zinc has been reported to be helpful in the treatment of certain types of acne. It is also known that zinc supplementation should be used with copper supplementation to avoid a copper deficiency that might otherwise occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved method and composition for the treatment of acne vulgaris, acne rosacea, bullous pemphigoid and other inflammatory skin conditions. The invention relates to the oral administration of a composition comprising a large dose of nicotinamide delivered at levels very substantially in excess of normal dietary levels, the nicotinamide being delivered in immediate release form in combination with a dose of zinc provided in a sustained release form. This combination of immediate release nicotinamide and sustained release zinc provides a level of anti-inflammatory activity substantially exceeding that provided by combinations of immediate release forms of nicotinamide and zinc. The sustained release form of zinc also permits the unopposed absorption of orally administered tetracycline and its cogeners, which are frequently utilized as a part of the treatment regimens for acne vulgaris, acne rosacea and certain other inflammatory cutaneous disorders. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, a quantity of copper is included to avoid the copper deficiency that might otherwise occur due to the zinc supplementation. The composition may also include a quantity of folic acid, which is an essential nutrient in teenagers and women of child-bearing age.

In a most preferred embodiment, nicotinamide and copper and folic acid each are present in immediate release forms, while the zinc is present in a sustained release form. This reduces the interaction between zinc and copper that can reduce the absorption of both. It also reduces the side effects such as nausea that might otherwise be associated with high levels of orally administered zinc

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The oral composition of the present invention comprises an amount of an immediate release form of nicotinamide very substantially greater than that obtained through the normal diet, combined with a sustained release form of zinc, both delivered in sufficient quantities to provide a therapeutic effect over an extended period for acne vulgaris, acne rosacea, bullous pemphigoid or other inflammatory skin conditions. For purpose of this patent, an immediate release form is one that releases 75% of the active ingredient within two hours of ingestion. A high dose of immediate release nicotinamide increases the bioavailablity of nicotinamide and extends the activity of nicotinamide over that of a sustained release formulation. This unexpected event is unique to oral nicotinamide. The nicotinamide will be present in an amount of at least 250 mg per dose, more preferably at least about 500 mg per dose, and most preferably at least about 750 mg per dose.

In compositions of the present invention, the sustained release form of zinc will be present in an amount sufficient to provide an anti-inflammatory effect. The zinc may be present in any pharmaceutically acceptable zinc salt, zinc complex or zinc chelate for oral administration. Zinc oxide is one such preferred zinc salt. However, other zinc salts such as zinc sulfate and zinc gluconate, zinc complexes or zinc chelates may be substituted, in the sustained release form for the zinc oxide. Zinc oxide can be present in an amount of about at least about 15 mg per dose, more preferably at least about 20 mg per dose, and most preferably at least about 25 mg per doseCompositions within the scope of the present invention may also include a copper-containing compound. Such a copper-containing compound can be any copper compound or copper salt known to be suitable for oral ingestion for copper supplementation, such as cupric oxide or copper salts including cupric sulfate, as well as copper complexes or chelates, but is preferably in an immediate release format. The copper-containing compound should be present in an amount sufficient to compensate for any copper deficiency that might otherwise occur due to the increased levels of zinc. The copper can be present in an amount of about at least 1.0 milligrams per dose, and more preferably in an amount of about at least 1.5 milligrams per dose, regardless of the form of the copper compound used.

The compositions of the present invention may also include a quantity of folic acid. Folic acid is an essential nutrient for a developing fetus. The diets of many teens and young adults are deficient in folic acid. It is expected that the subject invention will be used primarily by teens and young adults who suffer from acne vulgaris. The use of folic acid in compositions of the present invention is intended to supplement this essential nutrient in this segment of the population. The folic acid can be present in the amount of about at least 500 micrograms.

EXAMPLE 1

A composition is prepared in tablet form, each tablet comprising 750 milligrams immediate release nicotinamide, 25 milligrams sustained release zinc oxide, and 500 micrograms immediate release folic acid. When administered orally twice daily, the tablets are found to be a highly effective treatment for acne vulgaris.

EXAMPLE 2

A composition is prepared in tablet form each tablet comprising 750 milligrams immediate release nicotinamide, 25 milligrams sustained release zinc oxide, 500 micrograms immediate release folic acid, and 1.5 milligrams immediate release copper sulfate. When administered orally twice daily, the tablets are found to be a highly effective treatment for acne vulgaris.

EXAMPLE 3

A composition is prepared in tablet form each tablet comprising 1000 milligrams immediate release nicotinamide, 15 milligrams sustained release zinc oxide, 500 micrograms immediate release folic acid, and 1.0 milligrams immediate release copper sulfate. When administered orally twice daily, the tablets are found to be a highly effective treatment for acne vulgaris.

EXAMPLE 4

A composition is prepared in tablet form each tablet comprising 500 milligrams immediate release nicotinamide, 30 milligrams sustained release zinc oxide, 500 micrograms immediate release folic acid, and 1.5 milligrams immediate release copper sulfate. When administered orally twice daily, the tablets are found to be a highly effective treatment for acne vulgaris.

EXAMPLE 5

A composition is prepared in tablet form each tablet comprising 650 milligrams immediate release nicotinamide, 30 milligrams sustained release zinc oxide, 500 micrograms immediate release folic acid, and 1.5 milligrams immediate release copper sulfate. When administered orally twice daily, the tablets are found to be a highly effective treatment for acne vulgaris.
 

Claim 1 of 16 Claims

1. An oral pharmaceutical preparation in dosage unit form adapted for administration for the treatment of inflammatory skin disorders, comprising, per dosage unit, at least 250 mg of nicotinamide in an immediate release form, and an amount of zinc in a sustained release form, said amount of zinc being sufficient to provide an enhanced anti-inflammatory effect, in a vehicle pharmaceutically acceptable for oral administration.

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