Aqueous formulations suitable for intranasal administration comprise buprenorphine or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof and (a) a pectin having a degree of esterification of less than 50%, (b) chitosan and a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymer (poloxamer) or (c) chitosan and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. Such formulations can induce rapid and prolonged analgesia when delivered intranasally to a patient. The buprenorphine or buprenorphine salt or ester may be delivered to the bloodstream to produce within 30 minutes a therapeutic plasma concentration of buprenorphine, C.sub.ther, of 0.2 ng/ml or greater which is maintained for a duration T.sub.maint of at least 2 hours.

Description of the Invention

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Improved buprenorphine formulations for nasal administration have now been devised. Rapid uptake of the buprenorphine across the nasal mucosa into the plasma can be achieved, which results in fast onset of analgesia. Further, the residence time of the buprenorphine in the nasal cavity can be increased, which results in prolonged analgesia. An improved profile of absorption of buprenorphine into the systemic circulation can thus be achieved by use of the formulation. Accordingly, the present invention provides: (1) an aqueous solution suitable for intranasal administration, which comprises from 0.1 to 10 mg/ml of buprenorphine or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof and from 5 to 40 mg/ml of a pectin having a degree of esterification of less than 50%; which solution has a pH of from 3 to 4.2, is substantially free from divalent metal ions and gels on the nasal mucosa; (2) an aqueous solution suitable for intranasal administration, which comprises: (a) from 0.1 to 10 mg/ml of buprenorphine or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, (b) from 0.1 to 20 mg/ml of a chitosan, and (c) from 0.1 to 15 mg/ml of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC); which solution has a pH of from 3 to 4.8; and (3) an aqueous solution suitable for intranasal administration, which comprises: (a) from 0.1 to 10 mg/ml of buprenorphine or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, (b) from 0.1 to 20 mg/ml of a chitosan, and (c) from 50 to 200 mg/ml of a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymer of the general formula HO(C.sub.2H.sub.4O).sub.a(C.sub.3H.sub.6O).sub.b(C.sub.2H.sub.4O).sub.aH wherein a is from 2 to 130 and b is from 15 to 67;

which solution has a pH of from 3 to 4.8.

A preferred solution of the invention has a pH of from 3.5 to 4.0, is substantially free from divalent metal ions and comprises: (a) from 1 to 6 mg/ml of buprenorphine or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, calculated as buprenorphine, (b) from 10 to 40 mg/ml of a pectin which has a degree of esterification from 10 to 35%, and (c) dextrose as a tonicity adjustment agent.

The invention also provides:

a process for the preparation of solution (1), which comprises dissolving buprenorphine or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof in water; mixing the resulting solution with a solution in water of a pectin having a degree of esterification of less than 50% such that the mixed solution comprises from 0.1 to 10 mg/ml of buprenorphine or said salt or ester thereof and from 5 to 40 mg/ml of the pectin; and adjusting the pH of the solution to a value from 3 to 4.2 if desired;

a process for the preparation of solution (2), which comprises dissolving buprenorphine or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, a chitosan and HPMC in water to provide a solution comprising from 0.1 to 10 mg/ml of buprenorphine or said salt or ester thereof, from 0.1 to 20 mg/ml of chitosan and from 0.1 to 15 mg/ml of HPMC; and adjusting the pH of the solution to a value from 3 to 4.8 as desired;

a process for the preparation of solution (3), which comprises dissolving buprenorphine or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, a chitosan and a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymer of the general formula HO(C.sub.2H.sub.4O).sub.a(C.sub.3H.sub.6O).sub.b(C.sub.2H.sub.4O)- .sub.aH wherein a is from 2 to 130 and b is from 15 to 67, in water to provide a solution comprising from 0.1 to 10 mg/ml of buprenorphine or said salt or ester thereof, from 0.1 to 20 mg/ml of a chitosan and from 50 to 200 mg/ml of the polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymer; and adjusting the pH of the solution to a value from 3 to 4.8 as desired;

a nasal delivery device loaded with a solution of the invention;

use of a solution of the invention for the manufacture of a nasal delivery device for use in inducing analgesia; and

a method of inducing analgesia in a patient in need thereof, which method comprises intranasally administering a solution of the invention to the patient.

The invention enables a therapeutic blood plasma concentration of buprenorphine, i.e. a buprenorphine concentration that produces pain relief or pain amelioration, to be attained within 30 minutes and maintained for up to 24 hours. The term C.sub.ther denotes a therapeutic blood plasma concentration. The term T.sub.maint denotes the duration for which C.sub.ther is maintained.

Additionally, therefore, the present invention provides use of buprenorphine or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof and a delivery agent for the manufacture of a medicament for administration intranasally for the treatment of pain whereby, on introduction into the nasal cavity of a patient to be treated, the buprenorphine or salt or ester thereof is delivered to the bloodstream to produce within 30 minutes a therapeutic plasma concentration C.sub.ther of 0.2 ng/ml or greater which is maintained for a duration T.sub.maint of at least 2 hours. Also provided are:

use of a pharmaceutical composition which comprises buprenorphine or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof and a delivery agent for the manufacture of a nasal delivery device for use in inducing analgesia whereby, on introduction into the nasal cavity of a patient to be treated, the buprenorphine or salt or ester thereof is delivered to the bloodstream to produce within 30 minutes a therapeutic plasma concentration C.sub.ther of 0.2 ng/ml or greater which is maintained for a duration T.sub.maint of at least 2 hours;

a pharmaceutical composition suitable for use as an analgesic which comprises buprenorphine or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof and a delivery agent whereby, on introduction into the nasal cavity of a patient to be treated, the buprenorphine or salt or ester thereof is delivered to the bloodstream to produce within 30 minutes a therapeutic plasma concentration C.sub.ther of 0.2 ng/ml or greater which is maintained for a duration T.sub.maint of at least 2 hours;

a method of inducing analgesia in a patient in need thereof, which method comprises administering intranasally to said patient a pharmaceutical composition which comprises buprenorphine or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof and a delivery agent whereby, on introduction into the nasal cavity of said patient to be treated, the buprenorphine or salt or ester thereof is delivered to the bloodstream to produce within 30 minutes a therapeutic plasma concentration C.sub.ther of 0.2 ng/ml or greater which is maintained for a duration T.sub.maint of at least 2 hours.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first pharmaceutical solution of the invention consists essentially of 0.1 to 10 mg/ml of buprenorphine or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, from to 40 mg/ml of a pectin having a low degree of esterification, in particular a degree of esterification of less than 50%, and water. The buprenorphine salt may be an acid addition salt or a salt with a base. Suitable acid addition salts include the hydrochloride, sulphate, methane sulphonate, stearate, tartrate and lactate salts. The hydrochloride salt is preferred.

The concentration of buprenorphine or buprenorphine salt or ester is from 0.1 to 10 mg/ml, for example from 0.5 to 8 mg/ml. Preferred concentrations are 1 to 6 mg/ml, for example 1 to 4 mg/ml calculated as buprenorphine. Suitable solutions can contain buprenorphine or a buprenorphine salt or ester in an amount of 1 mg/ml or 4 mg/ml, calculated as buprenorphine.

The solution is typically delivered as a nasal spray. A 100 .mu.l spray of a solution containing 1 to 4 mg/ml of buprenorphine or a buprenorphine salt or ester, calculated as buprenorphine thus results in a clinical dose of 100 to 400 .mu.g of the buprenorphine or buprenorphine salt or ester, calculated as buprenorphine. Two such sprays may be given per nostril per administration time to deliver a dose of up to 4.times.400 .mu.g, i.e. up to 1600 .mu.g, of buprenorphine or the buprenorphine salt or ester, calculated as buprenorphine.

The pectin is a gelling agent. The solution of the invention gels on the mucosal surfaces of the nasal cavity after delivery without the need for an extraneous source of divalent metal ions. The buprenorphine or buprenorphine salt or ester that is formulated with the pectin is thus retained for longer on the surfaces of the nasal epithelium. The resulting sustained release of the buprenorphine or buprenorphine salt or ester into the bloodstream enables prolonged analgesia to be achieved. Improved delivery of buprenorphine or a buprenorphine salt or ester can consequently be obtained. Rapid uptake of the buprenorphine or buprenorphine salt or ester also results, which leads to fast onset of analgesia.

The solutions of the invention contain a pectin having a degree of esterification of less than 50%. A pectin is a polysaccharide substance present in the cell walls of all plant tissues. Commercially pectins are generally obtained from the dilute acid extract of the inner portion of the rind of citrus fruits or from apple pomace. A pectin consists of partially methoxylated polygalacturonic acids. The proportion of galacturonic acid moieties in the methyl ester form represents the degree of esterification (DE). The term DE is well understood by those skilled in the art and may be represented as the percentage of the total number of carboxyl groups that are esterified, i.e. if four out of five acid groups is esterified this represents a degree of esterification of 80%, or as the methoxyl content of the pectin. DE as used herein refers to the total percentage of carboxyl groups that are esterified. Pectins can be categorised into those having a low degree of esterification (low methoxylation) or a high degree of esterification (high methoxylation). A "low DE" or "LM" pectin has a degree of esterification below 50% whereas a "high DE" or "HM" pectin has a degree of esterification of 50% or above. The gelling properties of aqueous pectin solutions can be controlled by the concentration of pectin, the type of pectin, especially the degree of esterification of the galacturonic acid units, and the presence of added salts.

Low DE pectins are used in the present invention. The primary mechanism by which such pectins gel in aqueous solution is through exposure to metal ions, such as those found in the nasal mucosal fluid as described in WO 98/47535. The degree of esterification of the pectin used in the invention is preferably less than 35%. The degree of esterification may thus be from 10 to 35%, for example from 15 to 25%. Low DE pectins may be purchased commercially. An example of a low DE pectin is SLENDID (trade mark) 100, supplied by CP Kelco (Lille Skenved) which has a degree of esterification of around 15 to 25%.

A pectin-containing solution of the invention must not gel on storage. It should not gel prior to application to the nasal cavity. It must therefore be substantially free of agents which would cause the solution to gel. In particular, a solution of the invention must be substantially free of divalent metal ions and especially calcium ions. The content of divalent metal ions in the solution must therefore be minimised. A solution of the invention may therefore contain a negligible concentration of divalent metal ions or there may no detectable divalent metal ions.

A pectin is present in the solutions of the invention at a concentration of from 5 to 40 mg/ml, for example from 5 to 30 mg/ml. More preferably, the pectin concentration is from 10 to 30 mg/ml or from 10 to 25 mg/ml. The pectin and the pectin concentration are selected such that the solution gels on delivery to the nasal mucosa. The solution gels on the nasal mucosa in the absence of an extraneous source of divalent metal ions, e.g. Ca.sup.2+ ions.

A pectin-containing solution of the invention has a pH of from 3 to 4.2. Any pH within this range may be employed provided the buprenorphine or buprenorphine salt or esteremains dissolved in the solution. The pH may be from 3.2 to 4.0, for example from 3.5 to 4.0. A particularly suitable pH is from 3.6 to 3.8. The pH may be adjusted to an appropriate value by addition of a physiologically acceptable acid and/or physiologically acceptable buffer. The pH may thus be adjusted solely by means of a physiologically acceptable mineral acid or solely by means of a physiologically acceptable organic acid. The use of hydrochloric acid is preferred.

Any suitable preservative may be present in the solution, in particular a preservative that prevents microbial spoilage of the solution. The preservative may be any pharmaceutically acceptable preservative, for example phenylethyl alcohol or propyl hydroxybenzoate (propylparaben) or one of its salts. The phenylethyl alcohol and the propylparaben or propylparaben salt are preferably used in combination. The preservative must be compatible with the other components of the solution and, in particular, must not cause gelling of the solution.

Solutions may include a tonicity adjustment agent such as a sugar, for example dextrose, or a polyhydric alcohol for example mannitol. A solution may be hypertonic, substantially isotonic or hypotonic. A substantially isotonic solution can have an osmolality of from 0.28 to 0.32 osmol/kg. An exactly isotonic solution is 0.29 osmol/kg. The osmolality of the solution may be from 0.1 to 0.8 osmol/kg such as from 0.2 to 0.6 osmol/kg or preferably from 0.3 to 0.5 osmo/kg. A sufficient amount of a tonicity adjustment agent such as dextrose or mannitol may therefore be present to achieve such osmolalities. Preferably a solution contains 50 mg/ml dextrose or mannitol.

A pectin-containing solution of the invention is prepared by dissolving buprenorphine or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof in water, typically Water for Injections, and the resulting solution is mixed with a solution of a suitable pectin in water, again typically Water for Injections. The amount of the buprenorphine or salt or ester thereof and of the pectin are selected so that from 0.1 to 10 mg/ml of buprenorphine or the buprenorphine salt or ester and from 5 to 40 mg/ml of pectin are dissolved in the mixed solution. A preservative or combination of preservatives may be dissolved in the solution. The pH of the mixed solution can be adjusted to a value within the range from 3 to 4.2 as required. Preferably, the pH is adjusted with hydrochloric acid if pH adjustment is required.

Other components can be provided in solution at any convenient stage. For example, dextrose or mannitol may be dissolved in the water in which the buprenorphine or buprenorphine salt or ester is being dissolved. A sterile solution can be obtained either by using sterile starting materials and operating under sterile conditions and/or by using standard sterilising techniques such as passing the final solution through a sterilising filter. A pyrogen-free solution can thus be provided. The solution can then be introduced into a nasal delivery device, typically a sterile such device. If required, prior to sealing the device, the solution may be overlaid with an inert gas such as nitrogen to protect it from oxidation.

A second solution of the invention consists essentially of 0.1 to 10 mg/ml of buprenorphine or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, from 0.1 to 20 mg/ml of a chitosan, from 0.1 to 15 mg/ml of HPMC, and water. A third solution of the invention consists essentially of 0.1 to 10 mg/ml of buprenorphine or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, from 0.1 to 20 mg/ml of chitosan, from 50 to 200 mg/ml of a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymer of the general formula HO(C.sub.2H.sub.4O).sub.a(C.sub.3H.sub.6O).sub.b(C.sub.2H.sub.4O).sub.aH wherein a is from 2 to 130 and b is from 15 to 67, and water.

In each case, the buprenorphine salt may be an acid addition salt or a salt with a base. Suitable acid addition salts are mentioned above. They include the hydrochloride, sulphate, methane sulphonate, stearate, tartrate and lactate salts. The hydrochloride salt is preferred.

The concentration of buprenorphine or buprenorphine salt or ester in either solution is from 0.1 to 10 mg/ml, for example from 0.5 to 8 mg/ml. Preferred concentrations are 1 to 6 mg/ml, for example 1 to 4 mg/ml. Suitable solutions can contain the buprenorphine or buprenorphine salt or ester at a concentration of 1 mg/ml or 4 mg/ml, calculated as buprenorphine. Each solution is typically delivered as a nasal spray. A 100 .mu.l spray of a solution containing 1 to 4 mg/ml of buprenorphine or a buprenorphine salt or ester, calculated as buprenorphine, thus results in a clinical dose of 100 to 400 .mu.g of the buprenorphine or buprenorphine salt or ester, calculated as buprenorphine. Two such sprays may be given per nostril per administration time to deliver a dose of up to 4.times.400 .mu.g, i.e. up to 1600 .mu.g, of buprenorphine or the buprenorphine salt or ester, calculated as buprenorphine.

A chitosan is present in both solutions. Chitosans are cationic polymers that have mucoadhesive properties. The mucoadhesion is thought to result from an interaction between the positively charged chitosan molecule and the negatively charged sialic acid groups on mucin (Soane et al, Int. J. Pharm 178, 55-65, 1999).

By the term "chitosan" we include all derivatives of chitin, or poly-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, including all polyglucosamines and oligomers of glucosamine materials of different molecular weights, in which the greater proportion of the N-acetyl groups have been removed through hydrolysis (deacetylation). Preferably, the chitosan is produced from chitin by deacetylation to a degree of greater than 40%, preferably between 50 and 98%, more preferably between 70% and 90%.

The chitosan typically has a molecular weight of 4,000 Da or more, preferably from 10,000 to 1,000,000 Da, more preferably from 15,000 to 750,000 Da and most preferably from 50,000 to 500,000 Da.

The chitosan may thus be a deacetylated chitin. It may be a physiologically acceptable salt. Suitable physiologically acceptable salts include salts with a pharmaceutically acceptable mineral or organic acid such as the nitrate, phosphate, lactate, citrate, hydrochloride and acetate salts. Preferred salts are chitosan glutmate and chitosan hydrochloride.

The chitosan may be a derivative of a deacetylated chitin. Suitable derivatives include, but are not limited to, ester, ether or other derivatives formed by bonding of acyl and/or alkyl groups with the hydroxy groups, but not the amino groups, of a deacetylated chitin. Examples are O--(C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl) ethers of deacetylated chitin and O-acyl esters of deacetylated chitin. Derivatives also include modified forms of a deacetylated chitin for example a deacetylated chitin conjugated to polyethylene glycol.

Low and medium viscosity chitosans suitable for use in the present invention may be obtained from various sources, including FMC Biopolymer, Drammen, Norway; Seigagaku America Inc., MD, USA; Meron (India) Pvt, Ltd., India; Vanson Ltd, VA, USA; and AMS Biotechnology Ltd., UK. Suitable derivatives include those that are disclosed in Roberts, Chitin Chemistry, MacMillan Press Ltd., London (1992). Particularly preferred chitosan compounds that may be mentioned include "Protosan"(trade mark) available from FMC Biopolymer, Drammen, Norway. The chitosan is preferably water-soluble.

An aqueous solution of chitosan may be prepared by dissolving chitosan base or a derivative of chitosan base in a pharmaceutically acceptable mineral or organic acid such as hydrochloric, lactic, citric or glutamic acid or by dissolving a chitosan salt in water.

The chitosan is present in solution at a concentration of from 0.1 to 20 mg/ml, for example from 0.5 to 20 mg/ml. Preferably the solution contains from 1 to 15 mg/ml, more preferably from 2 to 10 mg/ml, of chitosan. A chitosan concentration of 5 mg/ml is particularly suitable.

Any suitable hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) may be employed. Several grades of HPMC are available. For example, Dow Chemical Company produces a range of HPMC polymers under the trade mark Methocel. The grade and concentration of HPMC is chosen such that the solution of the invention preferably has a viscosity, at 25.degree. C. as measured by a cone and plate viscometer (e.g. Brookfield), in the range from 1 to 200 cps, more preferably from 3 to 150 cps and most preferably from 5 to 100 cps.

Producing a solution having a particular viscosity is within the capability of one skilled in the at and can be achieved, for example, by using a high concentration of a low viscosity HPMC or a low concentration of a high viscosity HPMC. The HPMC used in the solution of the invention is preferably one having an apparent viscosity (measured as a 2% solution in water at 20.degree. C.) in the range from 3000 to 6000 cps. The concentration of the HPMC having a viscosity of from 3000 to 6000 cps is in the range from 0.1 to 15 mg/ml, preferably from 0.5 to 10 mg/ml and preferably from 1 to 5 mg/ml.

The polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymer typically has a molecular weight of from 2,500 to 18,000 for example from 7,000 to 15,000. The copolymer is a block copolymer of the general formula HO(C.sub.2H.sub.4O).sub.(C.sub.3H.sub.6O).sub.b(C.sub.2H.sub.4O).sub.aH wherein a is from 2 to 130 and b is from 15 to 67. The value for a may be from 40 to 100 such as from 60 to 90 or from 70 to 95. The value for b may be from 20 to 40 such as from 25 to 35.

Such copolymers are known as poloxamers. Several different types of poloxamer are available commercially, from suppliers such as BASF, and vary with respect to molecular weight and the proportions of ethylene oxide "a" units and propylene oxide "b" units. A commercially available poloxamer suitable for use in the present invention is poloxamer 188 which structurally contains 80 "a" units and 27 "b" units and has a molecular weight of 7680-9510 (Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients, editor A. H. Kippe, third edition, Pharmaceutical Press, London, UK, 2000). Preferably the poloxamer is poloxamer 188.

When the solutions contain a poloxamer, the poloxamer is present at a concentration in the range of from 50 to 200 mg/ml, preferably from 65 to 160 mg/ml and more preferably from 80 to 120 mg/ml. A preferred concentration is 100 mg/ml.

Any suitable preservative may be present in the solution, in particular a preservative that prevents microbial spoilage of the solution. The preservative must be compatible with the other components of the solution. The preservative may be any pharmaceutically acceptable preservative, for example a quaternary ammonium compound such as benzalkonium chloride.

The solution has a pH of from 3 to 4.8. Any pH within this range may be employed provided the buprenorphine or buprenorphine salt or ester remains dissolved in the solution. The pH may be from 3.2 to 4.2, for example from 3.2 to 4.0 or 3.5 to 4.0. A particularly suitable pH is from 3.6 to 3.8. The pH may be adjusted to an appropriate value by addition of a physiologically acceptable acid and/or physiologically acceptable buffer. The pH may thus be adjusted solely by means of a physiologically acceptable mineral acid or solely by means of a physiologically acceptable organic acid. The use of hydrochloric acid is preferred.

A tonicity adjustment agent may be included in the solution. The tonicity adjustment agent may be a sugar, for example dextrose, or a polyhdryic alcohol, for example mannitol. A solution may be hypertonic, substantially isotonic or hypotonic. A sufficient amount of a tonicity adjustment agent such as dextrose or mannitol may therefore be present to achieve a desired osmolality. Preferably a solution contains 50 mg/ml dextrose or mannitol.

The osmolality of a solution containing chitosan and HPMC or a poloxamer may be from 0.1 to 0.8 osmol/kg such as from 0.2 to 0.6 osmol/kg or preferably from 0.32 to 0.4 osmol/kg.

The solutions may also contain other ingredients such as an antioxidant, chelating agent or other agent generally used in pharmaceutical liquid preparations. The solution can be a sterile solution.

The solution containing chitosan and HPMC is prepared by dissolving buprenorphine or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, a chitosan and HPMC in water, typically Water for Injections. The amount of the buprenorphine or salt or ester thereof is selected so that from 0.1 to 10 mg/ml of buprenorphine or the buprenorphine salt or ester is dissolved in the solution. The required concentrations of the chitosan and of HPMC are provided too. A preservative can be dissolved in the solution. The pH of the solution can be adjusted to a value within the range from 3 to 4.8 as required. Preferably the pH is adjusted by means of hydrochloric acid.

A solution containing chitosan and a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymer is prepared by dissolving buprenorphine or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, a chitosan and the polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymer in water, typically Water for Injections. The amount of the buprenorphine or salt or ester thereof is selected so that from 0.1 to 10 mg/ml of buprenorphine or the buprenorphine salt or ester is dissolved in the solution. The required concentrations of the chitosan and of the polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymer are provided too. A preservative can be dissolved in the solution. The pH of the solution can be adjusted to a value within the range from 3 to 4.8 as required. Preferably, the pH is adjusted by means of hydrochloric acid.

Other components can be provided in the solutions at any convenient stage. For example, dextrose or mannitol may be dissolved in the water in which the buprenorphine or buprenorphine salt or ester is being dissolved. A sterile solution can be obtained either by using sterile starting materials and operating under sterile conditions and/or by using standard sterilising techniques such as passing the final solution through a sterilising filter. A pyrogen-free solution can thus be provided. The solution can then be introduced into a nasal delivery device, typically a sterile such device. If required, prior to sealing the device, the solution may be added with an inert gas such as nitrogen to protect it from oxidation.

Each of the three solutions of the invention is administered intranasally to a patient in order to induce analgesia. Rapid onset of analgesia and prolonged analgesia can thus be obtained. An effective amount of buprenorphine or a salt or ester thereof is delivered to a patient. A unit dose can be delivered to one nostril. Alternatively, half of a dose or two doses can be delivered to each nostril each administration time. The dose will depend upon a number of factors including the age and sex of the patient, the nature and extent of the pain to be treated and the period of treatment. A suitable dose of buprenorphine or a buprenorphine salt or ester is from 0.02 to 1.2 mg, such as from 50 to 600 .mu.g or from 100 to 400 .mu.g, calculated as buprenorphine.

Multiple doses of a solution according to the invention may be employed. For example, the rapid onset analgesia produced by the solution of the invention may permit self-titration of analgesic by the patient. The analgesic effect of an initial dose can be quickly and reliably gauged by the patient and, if insufficient, can be immediately supplemented by further dose(s) (often alternating between each nostril) until the required level of analgesia is attained. Multiple dosing may also be used in order to extend pain relief. For example, from 2 to 4 doses per day may be indicated.

The solutions of the invention may be used to treat an existing pain condition or to prevent a pain condition from occurring. An existing pain may be alleviated. Solutions of the invention can be used to treat or manage chronic or acute pain, for example the management of post-operative pain (e.g. abdominal surgery, back surgery, cesarean section, hip replacement or knee replacement).

Other medical uses include: pre-operative intranasal administration of the solution of the invention; therapy or prophylaxis adjunctive to anesthesia; post-operative analgesia; the management of trauma pain; the management of cancer pain; the management of endometriosis; the management of inflammatory pain; the management of arthritis pain (including pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis); the management of back pain; the management of myocardial pain (for example ischaemic or infarction pain); the management of dental pain; the management of neuropathic pain (e.g. diabetic neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia or trigeminal neuralgia); the management of colic (e.g. renal colic or gallstones), headache, migraine, fibromyalgia or dysmenorrhoea; the management of breakthrough pain associated with malignant and non-malignant disease; and the management of acute procedural pain (e.g. bone marrow aspiration or lumber puncture).

The solutions according to the invention may be administered to the nasal cavity in forms including drops or sprays. The preferred method of administration is using a spray device. Spray devices can be single (unit) dose or multiple dose systems, for example comprising a bottle, pump and actuator. Suitable spray devices are available from various commercial sources including Pfeiffer, Valois, Bespak and Becton-Dickinson.

As already mentioned, rapid onset of analgesia and prolonged analgesia can be achieved by means of the invention. The analgesic delivery profile that can be attained may avoid the relatively high C.sub.max values associated with intravenous administration and so lead to an improved therapeutic index. The peak plasma concentration of an analgesic that is attained after administration is defined as C.sub.max. The invention can permit reduction or elimination of some or all of the side effects associated with the analgesic.

C.sub.max is typically from 1 to 5 ng/ml, for example from 1 to 4 ng/ml or from 1.5 to 3 ng/ml. C.sub.max may be from 1 to 2 ng/ml, especially for lower doses of buprenorphine. The time at which C.sub.max is reached (T.sub.max) is typically 10 to 40 minutes after administration, for example 10 to 30 minutes or 15 to 25 minutes such as 15 to 20 minutes.

In preferred embodiments, the delivery agent is adapted to deliver the analgesic component such that C.sub.max=C.sub.opt, The term C.sub.opt is used in relation to analgesic drugs which exhibit a dose-response curve to analgesia which is displaced to the left with respect to the dose-response curve for side-effects. The term defines a therapeutic plasma concentration or range thereof which produces acceptable pain relief or pain amelioration but which does not produce side-effects or produces side effects which are less than those associated with higher plasma concentrations.

Preferably, the solutions of the invention enable the buprenorphine or salt or ester thereof to be delivered such that a C.sub.ther of 0.2 ng/ml or more, for example 0.4 ng/ml or more, is attained within 30 minutes (for example within 0.5 to 20 minutes, such as 2 to 15 minutes or 5 to 10 minutes) after introduction into the nasal cavity. The term C.sub.ther defines a therapeutic plasma concentration or range thereof. Thus, the term is used herein to define a blood plasma concentration (or range of plasma concentrations) of the buprenorphine or salt or ester thereof that produces pain relief or pain amelioration. C.sub.ther may be from 0.4 to 5 ng/ml, for example 0.4 to 1 ng/ml or 0.5 to 4 ng/ml or 0.8 to 2 ng/ml.

The T.sub.maint is typically at least 2 hours. The term T.sub.maint defines the duration of maintenance of C.sub.ther after administration of the analgesic. For example, the T.sub.maint can be from up to 24 hours, up to 12 hours or up to 6 hours such as from 2 to 4 hours or 2 to 3 hours. By means of the invention, therefore, a C.sub.ther of at 0.4 ng/ml may be attained within 2 to 15 minutes and maintained for a time period T.sub.maint of from 2 to 4' hours.

A further aspect of the invention relates to the pharmacokinetic profile that may be attained. By use of the solutions of the invention, not only can fast onset of analgesia be achieved but also prolonged analgesia can result. More generally, therefore, buprenorphine or a buprenorphine salt or ester can be combined with a delivery agent in an intranasal formulation such that, on introduction into the nasal cavity of a patient to be treated, the buprenorphine or salt or ester thereof is delivered to the bloodstream to produce within 30 minutes a therapeutic plasma concentration C.sub.ther of 0.2 ng/ml or greater which is maintained for a duration T.sub.maint of at least 2 hours.

The buprenorphine is therefore provided in a formulation suitable for nasal administration in combination with a delivery agent. The formulation is typically a liquid formulation, especially as an aqueous solution. Alternatively, the formulation may be in the form of a powder or microspheres. The buprenorphine salt may be an acid addition salt or a salt with a base. Suitable acid addition salts include the hydrochloride, sulphate, methane sulphonate, stearate, tartrate and lactate salts. The hydrochloride salt is preferred.

When the formulation is a liquid formulation, the concentration of buprenorphine or buprenorphine salt or ester is from 0.1 to 10 mg/ml, for example from 0.5 to 8 mg/ml. Preferred concentrations are 1 to 6 mg/ml, for example 1 to 4 mg/ml calculated as buprenorphine. Suitable formulations can contain buprenorphine or a buprenorphine salt or ester in an amount of 1 mg/ml or 4 mg/ml, calculated as buprenorphine.

The delivery agent is selected so that rapid onset and prolonged analgesia is obtained. The delivery agent acts to deliver the buprenorphine or buprenorphine salt or ester to the bloodstream. Thus, the delivery agent acts as an analgesic absorption modifier and any of a wide variety of delivery agents may be used providing that this functional requirement is met.

The delivery agent may comprise an absorption promoting agent. Such agents promote uptake of the analgesic component into the bloodstream. They may act via a variety of different mechanisms. Particularly preferred are mucosal adhesives. Such adhesives maintain an intimate association between the bulk analgesic composition and the nasal mucosa, so enhancing absorption and extending the T.sub.maint of the analgesic component. They can also be used to lower the analgesic C.sub.max, which may be important in applications where the minimization or elimination of side-effects is desired.

Suitable absorption promoting agents include cationic polymers (particularly chitosans), surface active agents, fatty acids, chelating agents, mucolytic agents, cyclodextrins, diethylaminoethyl-dextran (DEAE-dextran; a polycationic derivative of dextran) or combinations thereof. Particularly preferred are pectins as described above having a degree of esterification of less than 50%, especially from 10 to 35%, and chitosans also as described above.

Other cationic polymers besides chitosans suitable for use as absorption promoting agents include polycationic carbohydrates. The polycationic substances preferably have a molecular weight of at least 10,000. They may be in liquid formulations at concentrations of 0.01 to 50% w/v, preferably 0.1 to 50% w/v and more preferably 0.2 to 30% w/v.

Examples of suitable polycationic polymers are polyaminoacids (e.g. polylysine), polyquaternary compounds, protamine, polyamine, DEAE-imine, polyvinylpyridine, polythiodiethyl-aminomethylethylene, polyhistidine, DEAE-methacrylate, DEAE-acrylamide, poly-p-aminostyrene, polyoxethane, co-polymethacrylates (e.g. copolymers of HPMA, N-(2-hydroxypropyl)-methacrylamide), GAFQUAT (see for example U.S. Pat. No. 3,910,862) and polyamidoamines.

Suitable surface active agents for use according to the present invention are bile salts (for example sodium deoxycholate and cholylsarcosine, a synthetic N-acyl conjugate of cholic acid with sarcosine [N-methylglycine]). Also suitable for use in the invention are bile salt derivatives (for example sodium tauro dihydrofusidate). Any of a wide range of non-ionic surfactants (e.g. polyoxyethylene-9 lauryl ether), phospholipids and lysophosphatidyl compounds (e.g. lysolecithin, lysophosphatidyl-ethanolamine, lysophosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylglycerol, lysophosphatidylserine and lysophosphatidic acid) may also be used. Water-soluble phospholipids may also be employed (e.g. short chain phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholines). The concentration of surface active agents used according to the invention varies according to the physico-chemical properties of the surface active agent selected, but typical concentrations are in the range 0.02 to 10% w/v.

Particularly preferred surface active agents for use as absorption promoting materials are phospholipids and lysophosphatides (hydrolysis products of phospholipids), both of which form micellar structures.

When microspheres are used as the delivery agent, they are preferably prepared from a biocompatible material that will gel in contact with the mucosal surface. Substantially uniform solid microspheres are preferred. Starch microspheres (crosslinked if necessary) are preferred.

Microspheres may also be prepared from starch derivatives, modified starches (such as amylodextrin), gelatin, albumin, collagen, dextran and dextran derivatives, polyvinyl alcohol, polylactide-co-glycolide, hyaluronic acid and derivatives thereof (such as benzyl and ethyl esters), gellan gum and derivatives thereof (such as benzyl and ethyl esters) and pectin and derivatives thereof (such as benzyl and ethyl esters). The term "derivative" covers inter alia esters and ethers of the parent compound, which can be functionalised (for example to incorporate ionic groups).

Any of a wide variety of commercially available starch derivatives may be used, including hydroxyethyl starch, hydroxypropyl starch, carboxymethyl starch, cationic starch, acetylated starch, phosphorylated starch, succinate derivatives of starch and grafted starches.

Suitable dextran derivatives include, diethylaminoethyl-dextran (DEAE-dextran), dextran sulphate, dextran methyl-benzylamide sulphonates, dextran methyl-benzylamide carboxylates, carboxymethyl dextran, diphosphonate dextran, dextran hydrazide, palmitoyldextran and dextran phosphate.

The preparation of microspheres for use according to the invention may be carried out by known processes, including emulsion and phase separation methods (see for example Davis et al., (Eds), "Microspheres and Drug Therapy", Elsevier Biomedical Press, 1984, which parts relating to microsphere preparation are incorporated herein by reference). For example, albumin microspheres may be made using the water-in-oil emulsification method where a dispersion of albumin in oil is produced by homogenization or stirring, with the addition if necessary of small amounts of an appropriate surface active agent.

The size of the microspheres is largely determined by the speed of stirring or the homogenization conditions. Agitation can be provided by a simple laboratory stirrer or by more sophisticated devices (such as microfluidizers or homogenisers). Emulsification techniques may also be used to produce starch microspheres (as described in GB 1518121 and EP 223303) and for the preparation of gelatin micro spheres.

Proteinaceous microspheres may be prepared by coacervation methods. Such methods include simple or complex coacervation as well as phase separation techniques (using solvents or electrolyte solutions). Such methods are well known to those skilled in the art and details may be found in standard textbooks (for example Florence and Attwood, Physicochemical Principles of Pharmacy 2nd Ed., MacMillan Press, 1988, Chapter 8).

The microspheres may advantageously have controlled-release properties, which may be conferred by modifications of the microspheres (for example by controlling the degree of cross-linking or by the incorporation of excipients that alter the diffusional properties of the analgesic component). Alternatively, controlled release properties may be incorporated by exploiting ion-exchange chemistry (for example DEAE-dextran and chitosan are positively charged and can be used for an ion-exchange interaction with metabolites that are negatively charged).

The maximum amount of analgesic component that can be carried by the microspheres is termed the loading capacity. It is determined by the physico-chemical properties of the analgesic component and in particular its size and affinity for the matrix of the microspheres. High loading capacities can be achieved when the analgesic is incorporated into the microspheres during microsphere manufacture.

Microcapsules (which may be bioadhesive and which may also exhibit controlled release properties) may also be employed as an absorption promoting agent in the compositions of the invention. These microcapsules can be produced by a variety of methods. The surface of the capsule may be inherently adhesive or can be modified by standard coating methods known to those skilled in the art. Suitable coating materials include bioadhesive polymers such as polycarbophil, carbopol, DEAE-dextran, alginate, microcrystalline cellulose, dextran, polycarbophils and chitosan).

Oil-in-water formulations can provide for the effective nasal delivery of analgesics that are poorly soluble in water. In such applications nasal irritation may also be reduced.

The oil phase of the emulsions of the invention may comprise a hydroxylated oil, particularly a hydroxylated vegetable oil. As used herein the term "hydroxylated oil" is intended to cover any oil that contains hydroxylated fatty acids. Preferred hydroxylated oils are hydroxylated vegetable oils, and a preferred hydroxylated vegetable oil for use in the present composition is castor oil.

As used herein, the term "castor oil" is intended to include ricinus oil, oil of Palma Christie, tangantargon oil and Neoloid (as described in Merck Index, 12th Edition, p. 311), as well as the oil from Ricinus Zanzibarinus. The latter has a high content of glycerides of ricinoleic acid. Thus, castor oil comprises glycerides of ricinoleic acid (a hydroxy fatty acid).

When castor oil is used in the present invention, it may conveniently be obtained by cold pressing of the seeds of Ricinus Communis L. (family: Euphorbiaceae).

The oil phase in the emulsions of the invention may constitute 1 to 50% v/v of the emulsion. A preferred concentration of oil in the emulsion is from 10 to 40% v/v. Particularly preferred are concentrations of 20 to 30% v/v.

The emulsion compositions of the invention can be prepared using conventional methods such as by homogenisation of a mixture of the oil and analgesic component with an aqueous phase (optionally together with a stabilizing agent). Any suitable device may be used, including a microfluidizer or ultrasonic device, though microfluidizers are preferred for large scale production.

Suitable stabilizers for use in the emulsions of the invention include block copolymers containing a polyoxyethylene block (i.e. a block made up of repeating ethylene oxide moieties). An example of a suitable stabilizer of this type is Poloxamer.TM.. Other suitable stabilizers include phospholipid emulsifiers (for example soy and egg lecithins). Particularly preferred is the egg lecithin Lipoid E80.TM. (from Lipoid.TM.), which contains both phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidyl ethanoline. Other suitable phospholipids include phospholipid-polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugates (see for example Litzinger et al., Biochem Biophys Acta, 1190 (1994) 99-107).

Any suitable concentration of stabilizer/emulsifier may be used, and it typically falls within the range 0.1 to 10% w/v in the aqueous phase of the emulsion. Particularly preferred are concentrations of 1 to 5% w/v.

The stability of the emulsion can be enhanced by the addition of one or more co-emulsifier(s). Suitable pharmaceutically-acceptable co-emulsifiers include fatty acids, bile acids and salts thereof. Preferred fatty acids have greater than 8 carbon atoms, and particularly preferred is oleic acid. Of the suitable bile acids, preferred is deoxycholic acid. Suitable salts pf the foregoing include the alkali metal (e.g. Na and K) salts. Co-emulsifiers can be added at a concentration of 1% w/v or less on the aqueous phase.

Buffering agents may also be used in the composition. For example, a buffer may used to maintain a pH that is compatible with nasal fluid, to preserve emulsion stability and/or to ensure that the analgesic component does not partition from the emulsion oil phase into the aqueous phase.

It will be clear to the person skilled in the art that additional components can also be added to the emulsion including thickening and gelling agents (such as cellulose polymers, particularly sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, alginates, gellans, pectins, acrylic polymers, agar-agar, gum tragacanth, gum xanthan, hydroxyethyl cellulose, chitosan, as well as block copolymers of polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene). Preservative agents such as methyl parabenzoates, benzylalcohol and chlorobutanol may also be added.

The delivery agent may comprise a liposome. Liposomes are microscopic vesicles composed of an aqueous compartment surrounded by a phospholipid bilayer that acts as a permeable entrapment barrier. Many different classes of liposomes are known (see Gregoriadis (ed.) in Liposome Technology, 2nd edition, vol I-III, CRC Press, Boca Ranto, Fla., 1993). Some liposomes can provide controlled sustained release of the encapsulated drug. In such systems, the rate of drug release is determined by the liposome's physicochemical properties. Liposomes can be tailored for a specific application by modification of size, composition, and surface charge to provide the desired rate of drug delivery (see Meisner D, et al: In Proceedings, 15th International Symposium on Controlled Release of Bioactive Materials. 15:262-263, 1988; Mezei M: In Drug Permeation Enhancement, Theory and Application. Hsieh DS (ed.): Marcel Dekker Inc., New York, 1993, pp 171-198; and Meisner D, et al: J Microencapsulation 6:379-387, 1989). Thus, liposome-encapsulation can act as an effective and safe delivery agent in the compositions of the invention.

The sustained release property of the liposomal product can be regulated by the nature of the lipid membrane and by the inclusion of other excipients in the composition of the liposomal products. Current liposome technology permits a reasonable prediction on the rate of drug release based on the composition of the liposome formulation. The rate of drug release is primarily dependent on the nature of the phospholipids, e.g. hydrogenated (--H) or unhydrogenated (--G), or the phospholipid/cholesterol ratio (the higher this ratio, the faster the rate of release), the hydrophilic/lipophilic properties of the active ingredients and by the method of liposome manufacturing.

Materials and procedures for forming liposomes are well known to those skilled in the art and include ethanol or ether injection methods. Typically, the lipid is dissolved in a solvent and the solvent evaporated (often under reduced pressure) to produce a thin film. The film is then hydrated with agitation. The analgesic component is incorporated at the lipid film forming stage (if lipophilic) or at the hydration phase as part of the aqueous hydrating phase (if hydrophilic). Depending on the hydration conditions selected and the physicochemical properties of the lipid(s) used, the liposomes can be multilamellar lipid vesicles (MLV), unilamellar lipid vesicles (including small unilamellar vesicles (SUV) and large unilamellar vesicles (LUV)) and as multivesicular liposomes.

Lipid components typically comprise phospholipids and cholesterol while excipients may comprise tocopherol, antioxidants, viscosity inducing agents and/or preservatives. Phospholipids are particularly useful, such as those selected from the group consisting of phosphatidylcholines, lysophosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylserines, phosphatidylethanolamines, and phosphatidylinositols. Such phospholipids may be modified using, for example, cholesterols, stearylamines, stearic acid, and tocopherols.

The compositions of the invention may further comprise other suitable excipients, including for example inert diluents, disintegrating agents, binding agents, lubricating agents, sweetening agents, flavouring agents, colouring agents and preservatives. Suitable inert diluents include sodium and calcium carbonate, sodium and calcium phosphate, and lactose, while corn starch and alginic acid are suitable disintegrating agents. Binding agents may include starch and gelatin, while the lubricating agent, if present, will generally be magnesium stearate, stearic acid or talc.

Excipients such as humectants, isotoning agents, antioxidants, buffers and/or preservatives are preferably used. Formulation and dosage would depend on whether the analgesic is to be used in the form of drops or as a spray (aerosol). Alternatively, suspensions, ointments and gels can be applied to the nasal cavity. However, it is known that nasal mucous membranes are also capable of tolerating slightly hypertonic solutions. Should a suspension or gel be desired instead of a solution, appropriate oily or gel vehicles may be used or one or more polymeric materials may be included, which desirably should be capable of conferring bioadhesive characteristics to the vehicle.

Many other suitable pharmaceutically acceptable nasal carriers will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The choice of suitable carriers will depend on the exact nature of the particular nasal dosage form desired, for example whether the drug is to be formulated into a nasal solution (for use as drops or as a spray), a nasal suspension, a nasal ointment or a nasal gel. In another embodiment, nasal dosage forms are solutions, suspensions and gels, which contain a major amount of water (preferably purified water) in addition to the active ingredient. Minor amounts of other ingredients such as pH adjusters (e.g. a base such as NaOH), emulsifiers or dispersing agents, buffering agents, preservatives, wetting agents and jelling agents (e.g., methylcellulose) may also be present.

The nasal compositions of the invention may be isotonic, hypertonic or hypotonic. If desired, sustained release nasal compositions, e.g. sustained release gels, can be readily prepared, preferably by employing the desired drug in one of its relatively insoluble forms, such as the free base or an insoluble salt.

The composition of the present invention may be adjusted, if necessary, to approximately the same osmotic pressure as that of the body fluids (i.e. isotonic). Hypertonic solutions can irritate the delicate nasal membranes, while isotonic compositions do not. Isotonicity can be achieved by adding glycerol or an ionic compound to the composition (for example, sodium chloride). The compositions may take the form of a kit of parts, which kit may comprise the intranasal composition together with instructions for use and/or unit dosage containers and/or an intranasal delivery device.

The compositions of the invention enable the buprenorphine or salt or ester thereof to be delivered such that a C.sub.ther of 0.2 ng/ml or more, for example 0.4 ng/ml or more, is attained within 30 minutes (for example within 0.5 to 20 minutes, such as 2 to 15 minutes or 5 to 10 minutes) after introduction into the nasal cavity. The term C.sub.ther defines a therapeutic plasma concentration or range thereof. Thus, the term is used herein to define a blood plasma concentration (or range of plasma concentrations) of the buprenorphine or salt or ester thereof that produces pain relief or pain amelioration. C.sub.ther may be from 0.4 to 5 ng/ml, for example 0.4 to 1 ng/ml or 0.5 to 4 ng/ml or 0.8 to 2 ng/ml.

The T.sub.maint is typically at least 2 hours. The term T.sub.maint defines the duration of maintenance of C.sub.ther after administration of the analgesic. For example, the T.sub.maint can be from up to 24 hours, up to 12 hours or up to 6 hours such as from 2 to 4 hours or 2 to 3 hours. By means of the invention, therefore, a C.sub.ther of at 0.4 ng/ml may be attained within 2 to 15 minutes and maintained for a time period T.sub.maint of from 2 to 4 hours.

As already mentioned, rapid onset of analgesia and prolonged analgesia can be achieved. The analgesic delivery profile that can be attained may avoid the relatively high C.sub.max values associated with intravenous administration and so lead to an improved therapeutic index. The peak plasma concentration of an analgesic that is attained after administration is defined as C.sub.max. The invention can permit reduction or elimination of some or all of the side effects associated with the analgesic.

C.sub.max is typically from 1 to 5 ng/ml, for example from 1 to 4 ng/ml from 1.5 to 3 ng/ml. C.sub.max may be from 1 to 2 ng/ml, especially for lower doses of buprenorphine. The time at which C.sub.max is reached (T.sub.max) is typically 10 to 40 minutes after administration, for example 10 to 30 minutes or 15 to 25 minutes such as 15 to 20 minutes.

In preferred embodiments, the delivery agent is adapted to deliver the analgesic component such that C.sub.max=C.sub.opt. The term C.sub.opt is used in relation to analgesic drugs which exhibit a dose-response curve to analgesia which is displaced to the left with respect to the dose-response curve for side-effects. The term defines a therapeutic plasma concentration or range thereof which produces acceptable pain relief or pain amelioration but which does not produce side-effects or produces side effects which are less than those associated with higher plasma concentrations.

The compositions of the invention are administered intranasally to a patient in order to induce analgesia. An effective amount of buprenorphine or a salt or ester thereof is delivered to a patient. As previously mentioned, a unit dose can be delivered to one nostril. Alternatively, half of a dose or two doses can be delivered to each nostril each administration time. The dose will depend upon a number of factors including the age and sex of the patient, the nature and extent of the pain to be treated and the period of treatment. A suitable dose of buprenorphine or a buprenorphine salt or ester is from 0.02 to 1.2 mg, such as from 50 to 600 .mu.g or from 100 to 400 .mu.g, calculated as buprenorphine.

Multiple doses of a composition according to the invention may be employed. For example, the rapid onset analgesia produced by the solution of the invention may permit self-titration of analgesic by the patient. The analgesic effect of an initial dose can be quickly and reliably gauged by the patient and, if insufficient, can be immediately supplemented by further dose(s) (often alternating between each nostril) until the required level of analgesia is attained. Multiple dosing may also be used in order to extend pain relief. For example, from 2 to 4 doses per day may be indicated.

The compositions of the invention may be used to treat an existing pain condition or to prevent a pain condition from occurring. An existing pain may be alleviated. Compositions can be used to treat or manage chronic or acute pain, for example the management of post-operative pain (e.g. abdominal surgery, back surgery, cesarean section, hip replacement or knee replacement). Other medical uses have been described above.

When in the form of a solution, compositions according to the invention may be administered to the nasal cavity in forms including drops or sprays. The preferred method of administration is using a spray device. Spray devices can be single (unit) dose or multiple dose systems, for example comprising a bottle, pump and actuator. Suitable spray devices are available from various commercial sources including Pfeiffer, Valois, Bespak and Becton-Dickinson.

When in the form of powder or microspheres, a nasal insufflator device may be employed. Such devices are already in use for commercial powder systems intended for nasal application. The insufflator may be used to produce a fine, dispersed plume of the dry powder or microspheres. The insufflator is preferably provided with means for administering a predetermined dose of the analgesic composition. Powder or microspheres may be contained in a bottle or container adapted to be used with the insufflator. Alternatively, powders or microspheres may be provided in capsules (e.g. gelatin capsules) or other single dose devices adapted for nasal administration, in which embodiments the insufflator may comprise means for breaking open the capsule (or other single dose device).
 

Claim 1 of 26 Claims

1. An aqueous solution suitable for intranasal administration, which comprises from 0.1 to 10 mg/ml of buprenorphine or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof and from 5 to 40 mg/ml of a pectin having a degree of esterification of less than 50%; which solution has a pH of from 3 to 4.2, is substantially free from divalent metal ions and gels on the nasal mucosa, and wherein said solution provides a bioavailability of 80% or more of the buprenorphine or physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof.
 

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