Methods and chewing gums for delivering a medicament or agent to an individual are provided. The chewing gum includes a medicament or agent. The medicament or agent is present within the chewing gum composition (the water soluble portion and/or insoluble base portion). It has been found that by chewing the gum, the medicament or agent is released from the chewing gum. Continuing to chew the chewing gum creates a pressure within the buccal cavity forcing the agent or medicament directly into the systemic system of the individual through the oral mucosa contained in the buccal cavity. This greatly enhances the absorption of the drug into the systemic system as well as the bioavailability of the drug within the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides improved methods for delivering medicaments and other agents to an individual as well as improved formulations including such medicaments and agents. Pursuant to the present invention, a medicament or agent is contained in a chewing gum formulation. In contrast to prior such formulations, the medicament or agent is contained directly in the chewing gum composition, e.g., not in. a coating around the chewing gum.

Accordingly, as the chewing gum is chewed, the medicament or agent is released into the saliva. During continual chewing, the medicament or agent in the saliva is then forced due to the pressure created by the chewing through the oral mucosa in the buccal cavity. The oral mucosa has a thin epithelium and a rich vascularity. Thus, the oral mucosa favors drug absorption. In contrast to a typically orally ingested drug, wherein the solution is in contact too briefly for absorption to be appreciable through the oral mucosa, it is believed that during chewing, the agent and/or medicament remains in the buccal cavity and is forced through the oral mucosa. Also it has been surprisingly found that an increase in the absorption of the drug is achieved as well as an increase in the bioavailability of the drug as compared to typical oral administration. It has been found that the drug or agent is absorbed much quicker than if it was swallowed as in a typical oral administration. Indeed, the absorption approaches that of a parental administration, and bioavailability is also much greater than oral administration.

It has also been surprisingly found that less medicament or agent can be placed in the chewing gum than is typically orally administered to an individual to achieve an effect and the same bioequivalence can be achieved. In fact, it has been surprisingly found that in certain instances, for at least certain drugs and agents, the administration of the medicament or agent using chewing gum through the buccal cavity can provide an increase effect even as compared to parenteral administration.

For example, caffeine is commonly used as a stimulant to alleviate the effects of sleep deprivation. It is almost completely metabolized in the liver and therefore classified as a low clearance, flow independent drug. This means its rate of inactivation is unaffected by delivery to the liver and can only be modified by a change in the hepatic enzyme activity.

The pharmacokinetics of caffeine have been well documented and there is no significant difference between oral and intravenous administration. However, data set forth in detail below, suggests that the absorption rate constant (Ka) is significantly increased when caffeine is administered through chewing gum. This means that the caffeine is moving into the systemic circulation at a significantly faster rate. A similar change in the onset of dynamic response has also been noted, e.g., alertness and performance.

It has additionally been surprisingly found that for at least certain agents that placing the agent in the chewing gum can have a triggering effect on the agent that may be in the systemic circulation. For example, it has been found that with respect to caffeine that is ingested orally, that after the ingestion of a certain amount of caffeine, and the elapse of a certain period of time, that further ingestion of caffeine has a negligible effect on the individual. However, upon chewing gum with caffeine there has been observed a triggering effect that appears to create a synergistic effect with the caffeine that is in the systemic circulation. It is believed that this triggering effect will also be present with other agents, e.g., analgesics.

It is envisioned, that a variety of different medicaments and agents can be used in the chewing gum. For example, such agents include, inter alia, stimulants such as caffeine. Generally, such medicaments include, inter alia, analgesics, antibiotics, antivirals, antihistamines, anti-inflammatories, decongestants, antacids, muscle relaxants, psychotherapeutic agents, insulin, and cardiovascular agents. It is envisioned, that depending on the medicament, the resultant chewing gum can be used to treat, inter alia: coughs; colds; motion sickness; allergies; fevers; pain; inflammation; sore throats; cold sores; sinus problems; diarrhea; diabetics; depression; anxiety; and other maladies and symptoms. Specific agents/medicaments include, by way of example and not limitation: caffeine; aspirin; acetaminophen; ibuprofen; hydroxycitric acid; chromium picolinate; phosphatidylserine; nicotine; insulin; Echinacea purpurea; zinc; vitamin C; ginseng; kola nut; kaua kaua; and chamomile.

Preferably, the agents or medicaments are contained in the chewing gum formulation at levels of approximately 50 micrograms to 500 milligrams. The specific levels will depend on the active ingredient. For example, if chromium picolinate is the active ingredient in an embodiment, it would be present at a level of 50 micrograms per serving (2.8 grams stick of gum); aspirin would be preset at a level of 325 milligrams per 2.8 gram serving (stick).

The level of medicament or agent in the chewing gum formulation is selected so as to create, when the gum is chewed, a sufficiently high concentration of the medicament or agent in the saliva.

For example, when the agent is a stimulant such as nicotine or caffeine, the level of the stimulant in the chewing gum should be such that it creates a saliva content of stimulant of approximately 15 to 440 ppm when the chewing gum is chewed for 2 minutes. At this level, a sufficient amount of stimulant will be delivered to the chewer to create the effects set forth in the application. If a medicament is used such as a medicinal (e.g., analgesics), sufficient medicinal should be present in the chewing gum to create a salvia content of approximately 1700 to approximately 4400 ppm after the chewing gum has been chewed for 2 minutes. For a botanicals (e.g., chamomile, kava, kola, nut, ginseng, and Echinacea), the agent should be present in a sufficient amount to create a saliva content of approximately 85 to 1100 ppm when the chewing gum is chewed for 2 minutes. For a metabolizer, for example, chromium picolineate and hydroxi-chitic acid, the agents should be present in an amount to create a saliva content of approximately 0.5 to about 900 ppm when chewed for at least two minutes. If the agent is a vitamin or mineral (e.g., phosphatidy serine, vitamin C, and zinc), the agent should be present in the amount to create a saliva content of the vitamin or mineral of approximately 10 to about 250 ppm when chewed for 2 minutes.

Pursuant to the present invention, depending on the agent or medicament, the dosing regiment will change. For example, if the medicament is an analgesic, the chewing gum would be taken on an as needed basis. Of course, similar to the oral administration of an analgesic, there would be restrictions on the number of pieces of chewing gum, chewed, for example, not more often than one stick every four hours and not more often than four to five times a day.

If the agent is a stimulant such as caffeine to be used to enhance performance than the chewing gum would be chewed, in a preferred embodiment ten minutes or less before the performance. As set forth below in the experiment, it has been surprisingly found that another 5 minutes of chewing a chewing gum including caffeine a high level of alertness is achieved.

The medicament or agent can be contained in a variety of different chewing gum compositions. Referring now to the chewing gum, pursuant to the present invention, the chewing gum including the medicament or agent may be based on a variety of different chewing gums that are known. For example, the chewing gums can be low or high moisture, sugar or sugarless, wax containing or wax free, low calorie (via high base or low calorie bulking agents), and/or may contain dental agents.

Chewing gum generally consists of a water insoluble gum base, a water soluble portion, and flavor. The water soluble portion dissipates with a portion of the flavor of the gum over a period of time during chewing. The gum base portion is retained in the mouth throughout the chew.

The insoluble gum base generally comprises elastomers, resins, fats and oils, softeners and inorganic fillers. The gum base may or may not include wax. The insoluble gum base can constitute approximately 5% to about 95% by weight of the chewing gum, more commonly the gum base comprises 10% to about 50% of the gum, and in some preferred embodiments approximately 25% to about 35%, by weight, of the chewing gum.

In an embodiment, the chewing gum base of the present invention contains about 20% to about 60% by weight synthetic elastomer, about 0% to about 30% by weight natural elastomer, about 5% to about 55% by weight elastomer plasticizer, about 4% to about 35% by weight filler, about 5% to about 35% by weight softener, and optional minor amounts (about 1% or less by weight) of miscellaneous ingredients such as colorants, antioxidants, etc.

Synthetic elastomers may include, but are not limited to, polyisobutylene with GPC weight average molecular weight of about 10,000 to about 95,000, isobutylene-isoprene copolymer (butyl elastomer), styrene-butadiene, copolymers having styrene-butadiene ratios of about 1:3 to about 3:1, polyvinyl acetate having GPC weight average molecular weight of about 2,000 to about 90,000, polyisoprene, polyethylene, vinyl acetate--vinyl laurate copolymer having vinyl laurate content of about 5% to about 50% by weight of the copolymer, and combinations thereof.

Preferred ranges for polyisobutylene are 50,000 to 80,000 GPC weight average molecular weight and for styrene-butadiene are 1:1 to 1:3 bound styrene-butadiene, for polyvinyl acetate are 10,000 to 65,000 GBC weight average molecular weight with the higher molecular weight polyvinyl acetates typically used in bubble gum base, and for vinyl acetate-vinyl laurate, vinyl laurate content of 10 45%.

Natural elastomers may include natural rubber such as smoked or liquid latex and guayule as well as natural gums such as jelutong, lechi caspi, perillo, sorva, massaranduba balata, massaranduba chocolate, nispero, rosindinha, chicle, gutta hang kang, and combinations thereof. The preferred synthetic elastomer and natural elastomer concentrations vary depending on whether the chewing gum in which the base is used is adhesive or conventional, bubble gum or regular gum, as discussed below. Preferred natural elastomers include jelutong, chicle, sorva and massaranduba balata.

Elastomer plasticizers may include, but are not limited to, natural rosin esters such as glycerol esters or partially hydrogenated rosin, glycerol esters of polymerized rosin, glycerol esters of partially dimerized rosin, glycerol esters of rosin, pentaerythritol esters of partially hydrogenated rosin, methyl and partially hydrogenated methyl esters of rosin, pentaerythritol esters of rosin; synthetics such as terpene resins derived from alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, and/or d-limonene; and any suitable combinations of the foregoing. The preferred elastomer plasticizers will also vary depending on the specific application, and on the type of elastomer which is used.

Fillers/texturizers may include magnesium and calcium carbonate, ground limestone, silicate types such as magnesium and aluminum silicate, clay, alumina, talc, titanium oxide, mono-, di- and tri-calcium phosphate, cellulose polymers, such as wood, and combinations thereof.

Softeners/emulsifiers may include tallow, hydrogenated tallow, hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, cocoa butter, glycerol monostearate, glycerol triacetate, lecithin, mono-, di- and triglycerides, acetylated monoglycerides, fatty acids (e.g. stearic, palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids), and combinations thereof.

Colorants and whiteners may include FD&C-type dyes and lakes, fruit and vegetable extracts, titanium dioxide, and combinations thereof.

The base may or may not include wax. An example of a wax-free gum base is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,286,500, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

In addition to a water insoluble gum base portion, a typical chewing gum composition includes a water soluble bulk portion and one or more flavoring agents. The water soluble portion can include bulk sweeteners, high intensity sweeteners, flavoring agents, softeners, emulsifiers, colors, acidulants, fillers, antioxidants, and other components that provide desired attributes.

Softeners are added to the chewing gum in order to optimize the chewability and mouth feel of the gum. The softeners, which are also known as plasticizers and plasticizing agents, generally constitute between approximately 0.5% to about 15% by weight of the chewing gum. The softeners may include glycerin, lecithin, and combinations thereof. Aqueous sweetener solutions such as those containing sorbitol, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates, corn syrup and combinations thereof, may also be used as softeners and binding agents in chewing gum.

Bulk sweeteners include both sugar and sugarless components. Bulk sweeteners typically constitute about 5% to about 95% by weight of the chewing gum, more typically, about 20% to about 80% by weight, and more commonly, about 30% to about 60% by weight of the gum. Sugar sweeteners generally include saccharide-containing components commonly known in the chewing gum art, including but not limited to, sucrose, dextrose, maltose, dextrin, dried invert sugar, fructose, levulose, glactose, corn syrup solids, and the like, alone or in combination. Sugarless sweeteners include, but are not limited to, sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates, maltitol, and the like, alone or in combination.

High intensity artificial sweeteners can also be used, alone or in combination, with the above. Preferred sweeteners include, but are not limited to, sucralose, aspartame, salts of acesulfame, altitame, saccharin and its salts, cyclamic acid and its salts, glycerrhizinate, dihydrochalcones, thaumatin, monellin, and the like, alone or in combination. In order to provide longer lasting sweetness and flavor perception, it may be desirable to encapsulate or otherwise control the release of at least a portion of the artificial sweetener. Such techniques as wet granulation, wax granulation, spray drying, spray chilling, fluid bed coating, coacervation, and fiber extension may be used to achieve the desired release characteristics.

Combinations of sugar and/or sugarless sweeteners may be used in chewing gum. Additionally, the softener may also provide additional sweetness such as with aqueous sugar or alditol solutions.

If a low calorie gum is desired, a low caloric bulking agent can be used. Examples of low caloric bulking agents include: polydextrose; Raftilose, Raftilin; Fructooligosaccharides (NutraFlora); Palatinose oligosaccharide; Guar Gum Hydrolysate (Sun Fiber); or indigestible dextrin (Fibersol). However, other low calorie bulking agents can be used.

A variety of flavoring agents can also be used, if desired. The flavor can be used in amounts of about 0.1 to about 15 weight percent of the gum, and preferably, about 0.2% to about 5% by weight. Flavoring agents may include essential oils, synthetic flavors or mixtures thereof including, but not limited to, oils derived from plants and fruits such as citrus oils, fruit essences, peppermint oil, spearmint oil, other mint oils, clove oil, oil of wintergreen, anise and the like. Artificial flavoring agents and components may also be used. Natural and artificial flavoring agents may be combined in any sensorially acceptable fashion.

If the medicament or agent is water soluble in the chewing gum, it preferably will include a base/emulsifier system which leads to the desired concentration of the medicament in the saliva (more hydrophilic balance). If the medicament or agent is water insoluble, the chewing gum preferably includes a base/emulsifier system which leads to the desired concentration of the medicament in the saliva (more lipophilic balance).

In manufacturing the chewing gum including the agent or ingredient, the agent or medicament is added, preferably, early on in the mix. The smaller the amount of active ingredient used, the more necessary it becomes to preblend that particular ingredient to assume uniform distribution throughout the batch of gum. Whether a preblend is used or not, in a preferred embodiment, the agent or medicament should be added within the first five minutes of mixing.
 

Claim 1 of 5 Claims

1. A method of enhancing an individual's performance comprising the steps of: providing a chewing gum including an amount of caffeine that is designed to be adsorbed through the oral mucosa of the individual; chewing the chewing gum to thereby causing the caffeine to release into the saliva of the individual; chewing the chewing gum ten minute or less before the performance to create a saliva content of caffeine from about 15 ppm to about 440 ppm; and continuing to chew the chewing gum to force absorbing the saliva content of caffeine through the oral mucosa and into the systemic system of the individual.

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