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Title:
Topical preparation and method for transdermal delivery and localization
of therapeutic agents
United States Patent: 7,666,914
Issued: February 23, 2010
Inventors: Richlin; David
M. (Flanders, NJ), Doherty; George R. (Hadley, NY)
Appl. No.: 10/709,880
Filed: June 3, 2004
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George Washington University's Healthcare MBA
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Abstract
Disclosed herein is a preparation for
topically delivering and localizing therapeutic agents, comprising: a
vasoconstrictor for retarding vascular dispersion of a therapeutic agent;
and a penetration enhancer for facilitating penetration of the
vasoconstrictor and the therapeutic agent through a patient's skin.
Further disclosed is an associated method of topically delivering and
localizing therapeutic agents, comprising the steps of: using a
vasoconstrictor for retarding vascular dispersion of a therapeutic agent;
in combination with using a penetration enhancer for facilitating
penetration of the vasoconstrictor and the therapeutic agent through a
patient's skin. Also disclosed are various courses of treatment which
comprise applying the various disclosed combinations of agents to the
patient's skin.
Description of the
Invention
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Disclosed herein is a preparation for topically delivering and localizing
therapeutic agents, comprising: a vasoconstrictor for retarding vascular
dispersion of a therapeutic agent; and a penetration enhancer for
facilitating penetration of the vasoconstrictor and the therapeutic agent
through a patient's skin.
Further disclosed is an associated method of topically delivering and
localizing therapeutic agents, comprising the steps of: using a
vasoconstrictor for retarding vascular dispersion of a therapeutic agent;
in combination with using a penetration enhancer for facilitating
penetration of the vasoconstrictor and the therapeutic agent through a
patient's skin.
Also disclosed are various courses of treatment which comprise applying
the various disclosed combinations of agents to the patient's skin.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Disclosed herein is method and associated topical preparation by which a
variety of therapeutic agents may be delivered by topical application,
transmitted into the body through the skin, and then dispersed slowly so
that localized therapeutic effects can be maintained for a prolonged
period of time and use of these therapeutic agents may be kept at minimum
dosages and/or frequency of application.
As used throughout this disclosure, unless otherwise stated, the
specification of concentrations is understood to be by weight, in relation
to the clinically-utilized preparation. That is, unless otherwise stated,
a 5% concentration of a given ingredient would specify that there are to
be 5 grams of that ingredient per 100 grams of the final product as
utilized for clinical application to a patient Concentrations in pre-mix
compositions, not yet diluted to strengths suitable for clinical use, will
thus vary upward accordingly, but are still envisioned and encompassed
within the scope of this disclosure and its associated claims.
FIG. 1 (see Original Patent) illustrates a preferred embodiment of the
invention, employed as a preparation 1 for alleviating pain. Preparation 1
is topically applied 16 to a patient's skin 17, either at a pain locus, or
at a suitable spinal site. This preparation comprises three therapeutic
pain agents: a local anesthetic 11; a quick-onset, short-acting
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent (NSAID) 12; and a long-acting
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent (NSAID) 13. Preparation 1 further
comprises a penetration enhancer 14 for facilitating penetration of local
anesthetic 11, quick-onset, short-acting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
agent 12, long-acting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent 13 and
vasoconstrictor 15 (discussed below) through a patient's skin 17 to sites
of desired action. Finally, preparation 1 comprises a vasoconstrictor 15
for retarding vascular dispersion of local anesthetic 11, quick-onset,
short-acting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent 12 and long-acting
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent 13 after these have penetrated the
skin surface and entered the vascular system.
In the preferred embodiment of pain-relief preparation 1, local anesthetic
11 preferably comprises bupivacaine. For bupivacaine, the onset of action
is 2 to 10 minutes, the peak is at 30 to 45 minutes, and the duration of
action is 3 to 6 hours. The bupivacaine concentration is preferably
approximately 5%. However, the bupivacaine concentration may acceptably
range as low as approximately 2%. The bupivacaine concentration may also
acceptably range as high as approximately 10%.
The purpose of local anesthetic 11 is to reduce or block neural
transmission of pain. Bupivacaine is preferred, because of its distinct
physiochemical properties which make it long-acting, well-absorbed through
the skin, and which provide it with significant desired differential
blocking properties, favoring sensory over motor.
However, local anesthetic 11 may alternatively comprise a number of other
agents as well, alternatively to, or in combination with, bupivacaine.
These include the following:
Carbocaine, with the generic name mepivacaine. This has an intermediate
duration of action. Onset is 3-5 minutes, peak is 15-45 minutes, and
duration is 45-90 minutes. This is a shorter duration of action than
bupivacaine. If used, the concentration ranges from as low as
approximately 1% to as high as approximately 10%, preferably approximately
5%. Mepivacaine is commercially available for injection in 1%, 1.5%, 2%
and 3% solutions.
Chirocaine, with the generic name levobupivacaine. If used, the
concentration ranges from as low as approximately 0.25% to as high as
approximately 10%, preferably approximately 5%. This has a long duration
of action. Onset of action is 2-10 minutes, with duration locally 2-4
hours. If used for epidural or peripheral nerve blocks or obstetrical
anesthesia, the duration of action is between 3-9 hours.
Naropin, with the generic name ropivacaine. This is another long-acting
anesthetic. Onset is 1-15 minutes with peak in 20-45 minutes and duration
of action 2-6 hours. If used, the concentration ranges from as low as
approximately 0.25% to as high as approximately 10%, preferably
approximately 5%. This is available commercially as 2.5, 7.5 and 10 mg/ml
injections.
Nesacaine, with the generic name chloroprocaine. This is another
short-duration anesthetic. Onset is 6-12 minutes, peak is 10-20 minutes,
and duration is 30-60 minutes. If used, the concentration ranges from as
low as approximately 0.25% to as high as approximately 15%, preferably
approximately 5%. This is available commercially as 1%, 2% and 3%
injection.
Novocain, with the generic name procaine. This is another short-duration
anesthetic. Onset is 5-10 minutes peak is at less than 30 minutes,
duration is less than 2 hours. If used, the concentration ranges from as
low as approximately 0.25% to as high as approximately 15%, preferably
approximately 7%. This is available as 1%, 2% and 10% injections
commercially.
Xylocaine, with the generic name lidocaine. This is another
intermediate-duration anesthetic, available as gel or solution to apply
topically usually every 3-4 hours to obtain relief of pain. If used, the
concentration ranges from as low as approximately 2% to as high as
approximately 15%, preferably approximately 5%. Lidocaine is available as
a Jelly in 2 and 4% concentrations, and the ointment is available in both
2.5 and 5% concentrations.
In addition, or alternatively to all of the above, local anesthetic 11 may
alternatively comprise etidocaine, ropivacaine, benzocaine, tetracaine,
prilocalne and/or any other similar agent known at present or which may
become known in the future. For all of these local anesthetics, if used,
the concentration ranges from as low as approximately 0.25% to as high as
approximately 20%, with a preferred concentration to be determined from
experimental testing.
In order to provide both quick relief and long-lasting relief, preparation
1 preferably comprises both quick-onset, short-acting non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory agent 12; and long-acting non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory agent 13. The determining factor in what is quick versus
long acting is in frequency of dose or half life of the drug entity. The
shorter the half life, the more frequent the dosing. As used herein,
quick-onset, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent 12 is any NSAID with
any oral dosing frequency of more than twice daily. As used herein, a
long-acting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent 13 is any NSAID with no
oral dosing frequency of more than twice daily.
In a preferred embodiment of pain-relief preparation 1, quick-onset,
short-acting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent 12 preferably comprises
ketoprofen. The ketoprofen concentration is preferably approximately 10%.
However, the ketoprofen concentration may acceptably range as low as
approximately 5%. The ketoprofen concentration may also acceptably range
as high as approximately 20%.
The purpose of quick-onset, short-acting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
agent 12 is to quickly prevent, retard, or reverse the inflammatory and/or
algesic response in tissues at a site of injury, irritation or disease
and/or at a suitable spinal location. Thus, quick-onset, short-acting
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent 12 may alternatively comprise:
diclofenac with a concentration of at least approximately 2% and at most
approximately 20%, and with a preferred concentration of approximately
10%; diflunisal with a concentration of at least approximately 5% and at
most approximately 20%, with a preferred concentration of approximately
10%; etodolac with a concentration of at least approximately 2% and at
most approximately 20%, with a preferred concentration of approximately
10%; fenoprofen with a concentration of at least approximately 10% and at
most approximately 30%, with a preferred concentration of approximately
20%; flurbiprofen with a concentration of at least approximately 2% and at
most approximately 20%, with a preferred concentration of approximately
10%; ibuprofen with a concentration of at least approximately 5% and at
most approximately 30%, with a preferred concentration of approximately
20%; indomethacin with a concentration of at least approximately 2% and at
most approximately 20%, with a preferred concentration of approximately
10%; tolmetin with a concentration of at least approximately 2% and at
most approximately 20%, with a preferred concentration of approximately
10%, and/or, in suitable concentration, any other similar quick-onset,
short-acting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent known at present or
which may become known in the future.
As among all of the above quick-onset, short-acting NSAIDs, ketoprofen is
preferred because it passes most readily through the skin. It is believed
that the next best is Ibuprofen, then indomethacin, and then diclofenac.
In the preferred embodiment of pain-relief preparation 1, long-acting
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent 13 preferably comprises piroxicam.
The piroxicam concentration is preferably approximately 1%. However, the
piroxicam concentration may acceptably range as low as approximately 0.5%.
The piroxicam concentration may also acceptably range as high as
approximately 4%.
The purpose of long-acting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent 13 is to
prevent, retard or reverse inflammatory and algesic response for a more
prolonged and sustained duration at a site of injury, irritation or
disease, and/or via suitable spinal placement. Thus, in alternative
preferred embodiments, long-acting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent
13 may alternatively comprise: celecoxib with a concentration of at least
approximately 5% and at most approximately 20%, with a preferred
concentration of approximately 10%; meloxicam with a concentration of at
least approximately 0.5% and at most approximately 2%, with a preferred
concentration of approximately 1%; nabumetone with a concentration of at
least approximately 5% and at most approximately 20%, with a preferred
concentration of approximately 10%; naproxen with a concentration of at
least approximately 2% and at most approximately 20%, with a preferred
concentration of approximately 10%; oxaprozin with a concentration of at
least approximately 5% and at most approximately 20%, with a preferred
concentration of approximately 10%; rofecoxib with a concentration of at
least approximately 0.5% and at most approximately 2%, with a preferred
concentration of approximately 1%; sulindac with a concentration of at
least approximately 2% and at most approximately 10%, with a preferred
concentration of approximately 5%; valdecoxib with a concentration of at
least approximately 0.5% and at most approximately 2%, with a preferred
concentration of approximately 1%; and/or, in suitable concentration, any
other long-acting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent known at present
or which may become known in the future.
As among all of the aforementioned long-acting NSAIDs, piroxicam is the
most effective long-acting NSAID, has been used for many years with a high
degree of safety, and is also among the least expensive.
Please note all three of local anesthetic 11, quick-onset, short-acting
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent 12, and long-acting non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory agent (NSAID) 13 are provided together in preparation 1,
because each has distinct effects, onsets, peaks and durations
which--together--provide the most effective action against pain. However,
if certain agents were presently available or were to be developed in the
future which combine the desirable properties of these three agents 11,
12, 13, and can penetrate the skin as will be further discussed below,
this disclosure fully envisions the use of such agents, and the ability to
thus eliminate one or more of agents 11, 12, 13. Further, in a treatment
situation where the combined effects of agents 11, 12, 13 are not all
necessary, this disclosure fully envisions that one or two of these agents
may be omitted consistent with the treatment that is warranted. Further,
it is recognized that some of the particular agents 11, 12, 13 may be
suitable for dispensation only by prescription and/or administration only
by a physician and that others may be suitably dispensed over-the counter
and applied by an unsupervised patient. Thus, the particular choice of
agents 11, 12, 13 may in some circumstances depend upon whether
distribution is intended to be with or without prescription and whether
administration is intended to be with or without physician supervision.
All of the above also applies to antiviral agent 21, see below.
In the preferred embodiment of pain-relief preparation 1, penetration
enhancer 14 preferably comprises dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and/or lecithin.
The purpose of penetration enhancer 14 is to carry the therapeutic agents
(for example, 11, 12 and/or 13 for the pain preparation of FIG. 1; also 21
for the viral treatment preparation of FIG. 2 (see Original Patent)) and
the vasoconstrictor 15 through a patient's skin to sites of desired
action.
Ease of transmission through skin is linearly related to concentration of
DMSO. Too high a concentration of DMSO, however, causes adverse side
effects, specifically malodorous breath. Thus, to enhance transmission
through the skin of the therapeutic agents (e.g., 11, 12, 13, and/or 21)
and the vasoconstrictor 15 as much as possible, but to avoid the adverse
side-effects of DMSO, the DMSO concentration is preferably approximately
10%. The DMSO concentration, however, can also be reduced below 10% to
further avoid adverse side effects. Finally, if in the future it becomes
possible mitigate the side-effects of DMSO and thus to employ DMSO in
concentrations above 10%, this too is a possibility within the scope of
this disclosure.
In an alternative, equally preferred embodiment, penetration enhancer 14
comprises lecithin, in a preferred concentration of approximately 10% to
12%, and in an acceptable concentration of at least approximately 2% to 5%
and at most approximately 50%. If lecithin is employed, then DMSO can be
eliminated entirely, or its concentration reduced well under 10%, because
the lecithin itself will enable sufficient transmission of the therapeutic
agents (e.g., 11, 12, 13, and/or 21) and the vasoconstrictor 15 through
the skin.
Lecithin may optionally be used in combination with ethoxy diglycol, or
any similar solvent known or which may become known in the future which
that acts to dissolve the active ingredients to allow Lecithin to aid in
penetration of the skin.
In alternative preferred embodiments, penetration enhancer 14 may
alternatively comprise any other skin penetration enhancers known at
present or which may become known in the future, each of can also serve to
penetrate the therapeutic agents (e.g., 11, 12, 13, and/or 21) and
vasoconstrictor 15 through the skin 17 to the desired sites of action.
In the preferred embodiment of pain-relief preparation 1, vasoconstrictor
15 preferably comprises phenylephrine. The phenylephrine concentration is
preferably approximately 0.5%. However, the phenylephrine concentration
may acceptably range as low as approximately 0.25%. The phenylephrine
concentration may also acceptably range as high as approximately 1.0%.
The purpose of vasoconstrictor 15 is to retard vascular dispersion of the
therapeutic components (e.g., 11, 12, 13, and/or 21) from their site of
action, thereby prolonging the duration of the therapeutic effect at
anatomical peripheral pain locus and/or the chosen spinal region, and
reducing the required dosages and/or dosage frequencies. Phenylephrine is
preferred, because it is regarded as a very safe agent and has been used
safely for many years. However, in alternative preferred embodiments,
vasoconstrictor 15 may alternatively comprise: ephedrine sulfate, in a
concentration of at least approximately 0.1% and at most approximately
1.25%, with a preferred concentration of approximately 0.5%; epinephrine,
in a concentration of at least 0.005% and at most 0.02%, with a preferred
concentration of approximately 0.01%; naphazoline, in a concentration of
at least 0.01% and at most 0.2%, with a preferred concentration of
approximately 0.1%; oxymetazoline, in a concentration of at least 0.01%
and at most 0.1%, with a preferred concentration of approximately 0.05%;
and/or, in suitable concentration, any other vasoconstrictors known at
present or which may become known in the future. Each of these will also
serve to prolong the therapeutic effect and reduce necessary dosing by
pacing the delivery of the therapeutic agents through vasoconstriction.
The following inert ingredients, for example, not limitation, may also be
added to preparation 1 to provide chemical stability and provide for long
shelf life: polaxmer 407; distilled water, sorbic acid, and potassium
sorbate. These are otherwise not pharmacologically active as therapeutic
agents (e.g., to provide pain relief, antiviral effect, etc.), nor are
they involved in the transmission of therapeutic agents through the skin,
or in causing vasoconstriction.
Additionally, isopropyl palmitate and/or isopropyl myristate are lecithin
solubilizers, and thus would likely be employed among the inert
ingredients, particularly if penetration enhancer 14 comprises lecithin.
In a further embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 (see Original Patent),
preparation 1 may be used to treat pain from acute herpes zoster. To
achieve this, preparation 1 comprises an antiviral agent 21, in addition
to--or alternatively to--therapeutic pain-relieving agents 11, 12, and/or
13.
In this viral-treatment embodiment of preparation 1 illustrated in FIG. 2,
antiviral agent 21 preferably comprises 2-deoxy-d-glucose. The
2-deoxy-d-glucose concentration is preferably approximately 0.2%. However,
the 2-deoxy-d-glucose concentration may acceptably range as low as
approximately 0.1%. The 2-deoxy-d-glucose concentration may also
acceptably range as high as approximately 0.4%.
Antiviral agent 21 may comprise any agent commonly used on viruses
manifested by skin eruptions. Thus, in alternative preferred embodiments,
antiviral agent 21 may alternatively comprise: condylox, with the generic
name podofilox, topical, at approximately 0.5% concentration, and a
concentration range of at least 0.1% and at most 1%; zovirax, with the
generic name acyclovir, cream or ointment, at approximately 5%
concentration, and a concentration range of at least 2% and at most 10%;
denavir, with the generic name penciclovir, topical, at approximately 1.0%
concentration, and a concentration range of at least 0.5% and at most 4%;
abreva, with the generic name docosanol, topical, at approximately 10%
concentration, and a concentration range of at least 5% and at most 15%;
and/or, in suitable concentration, any other topically-usable antiviral
agents known at present or which may become known in the future, which may
be used to treat viruses manifested by skin eruptions.
As noted earlier, unless otherwise stated, the specification of
concentrations throughout this disclosure is understood to be by weight,
in relation to the clinically-utilized preparation. However, because the
combination of a vasoconstrictor and a penetration enhancer is useful as a
base composition for topically delivering and localizing therapeutic
agents independent of the particular therapeutic agents chosen, it may be
desirable to manufacture a vasoconstrictor for retarding vascular
dispersion of at least one therapeutic agent in combination with a
penetration enhancer for facilitating penetration of the vasoconstrictor
and the at least one therapeutic agent through a patient's skin, without
including any therapeutic agent. This base "pre-mix" composition--which is
effectively a topical delivery and localization composition--would then be
separately compounded with the particular therapeutic agents to be
topically-delivered, and diluted to appropriate clinically-utilized
concentrations with suitable inert ingredients such as but not limited to
those set forth above. The reason that all percentages set forth in this
disclosure are in relation to the clinically-utilized preparation is to
maintain a consistent and definite baseline for comparing relative
concentrations of all ingredients. However, it is to be understood that
the specification and claiming of a lower concentration percentage for an
ingredient of the clinical preparation scales relatively upward and is
also intended to encompass a higher concentration percentage in any
pre-mix composition.
Thus, particularly as used in the claims, the term "clinical
concentration" refers not only to the particular clinical concentrations
specified, but also to "scaled up" concentrations appearing in pre-mix
compositions which have not yet fully mixed with all their ingredients
and/or diluted down to their ultimate concentrations for clinical use.
Thus, for example, given a preferred DMSOclinical concentration of up to
10% and a preferred phenylephrineclinical concentration ranging from 0.25%
to 1.0% as set forth above, it is to be understood that this disclosure
and its associated claims would thereby cover any composition comprising
DMSO and phenylephrine in a ratio of approximately 40 to 1 (10% to 0.25%)
or less. Similarly, for example, given a preferred lecithin concentration
of up to 50% and a preferred phenylephrineclinical concentration ranging
from 0.25% to 1.0% as set forth above, it is to be understood that this
disclosure and its associated claims would thus cover any composition
comprising lecithin and phenylephrine in a ratio of approximately 200 to 1
(50% to 0.25%) or less. The same holds true for the relative clinical
proportions (ratios) between and among any and all of the many other
ingredients also disclosed herein.
While upper concentration limits have been stated herein for the various
agents 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, it may turn out following clinical trials
that higher limits than those stated can be utilized without adverse
patient effect. Thus, it is considered possible to utilize upper
concentration limits which are in fact 125%, 150%, 175% and even as much
as 200% of the upper concentration limits set forth herein, for all of the
agents 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21 set forth herein. This is to say, for
example, that while the stated upper concentration limit for bupivacaine
is 10%, it may turn out to be possible following clinical trials to employ
an upper limit of 12.5%, 15%, 17.5%, and even as high as 20%, and that the
same multipliers apply to all of the other agents 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21
and their upper concentration limits set forth herein. The only exception
is lecithin, which already has an upper limit of 50%, and certainly cannot
be 100% since that would foreclose the use of any other agents. Rather,
Lecithin, as a safe agent, may in fact comprise whatever proportion of
preparation 1 is not accounted for by vasoconstrictor 15 and the various
therapeutic agents (e.g., 11, 12, 13, 21) employed in any given situation,
and in particular, it may well be possible for lecithin to thus account
for 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, and even more, of the overall preparation 1
in clinical form. That is, lecithin may account for 100%, minus the
percentages of vasoconstrictor 15 and all of the various therapeutic
agents, of preparation 1.
All of preferred ingredients set forth above for the disclosed embodiments
of preparation 1 are readily available and are currently utilized in
clinical medical therapeutics in various settings. However, the particular
combinations disclosed are novel and non-obvious. Additionally, the
particular choices of agents disclosed herein, in the disclosed
combinations, and/or in the disclosed clinical and relative
concentrations, are also novel and non-obvious.
Preparation 1 in various pain-relief and other embodiments is preferably
fabricated and utilized, for example, not limitation, as a topical gel or
cream, or with a topical delivery system such as a patch. The topical,
e.g., gel or cream is applied 16 directly to the skin 17 at the locus of
pain or other ailment to be topically treated, and/or to a suitable spinal
location. Sustained effect may be achieved by placing a thin plastic
dressing over the applied gel, forming a patch. If applied via a patch,
the patch may be pre-fabricated to comprise preparation 1 therein or
thereon as a delivery system, so that patch itself may be applied to the
skin at the pain locus and/or at a suitable spinal location to alleviate
moderate-to-severe pain, and generally at the treatment locus for whatever
treatment is being delivered. The e.g., gel or cream may also, of course,
be applied to the patch and the patch then applied to the patient's skin.
For pain relief, preparation 1 comprising at least one of agents 11, 12,
and/or 13 is applied over exquisitely painful areas of the body. Within 20
to 40 minutes, this provides substantial-to-complete pain relief--relief
which may be equivalent to that produced by surgical neural blockade. It
may also be applied on intact skin including over healed skin scars (for
example, following surgery), and over herpes zoster. Application in
various body apertures, e.g., ear, nose, mouth, throat, rectum, etc., as
well as application to open wounds which have not yet healed over
sufficiently to attain skin integrity, is to be avoided. Thus, as used in
this disclosure and its associated claims, the term "patient's skin" is
intended to refer to intact skin including skin with healed scars, and to
non-open skin with herpes zoster.
Additionally or alternatively, as noted several times above, preparation 1
may be applied--still to a patient's intact skin--along the spinal column
where the nerves involved in the particular pain being treated enter the
spinal column, thus further relieving areas enervated by those specific
nerves. Thus, for example, application of the preparation to the skin
overlying various areas of the dorsal spine may relieve pain in the
dermatones of the nerve roots most proximal to said application. Placement
of preparation 1, e.g., over L 4-5 paravertebral area may relieve lower
leg pain (`sciatica`). The same holds true for other areas of the body and
other spinal nerves.
In contrast to the invention disclosed herein, the current treatment of
moderate-to-severe pain states is often inadequate, despite the use of
potent systemic analgesics, including opiate analgesics. Currently, if
patients require potent systemic analgesics, or are unable to achieve
effective relief, they are rendered partially-to-fully disabled by their
pain, are often unable to work or function effectively in domestic
settings, and may become prey to all the consequences of severe chronic
pain ("Chronic Pain Syndrome").
The pain-relief preparation 1 of FIG. 1 (see Original Patent) provides
clear promise to effectively control severe pain over prolonged periods of
time, with consequent improvement in overall patient function, avoidance
or reduction in usage of systemic medications, and consequent reduction in
the ill effects of such systemic medications.
Claim 1 of 150 Claims
1. A preparation for topically delivering
and localizing at least one therapeutic agent, comprising: a
vasoconstrictor for retarding vascular dispersion of a therapeutic agent,
selected from the vasoconstrictor group consisting of at least one of:
phenylephrine, ephedrine sulfate, epinephrine, naphazoline, and
oxymetazoline; and a penetration enhancer for facilitating penetration of
said vasoconstrictor and said therapeutic agent through a patient's skin,
selected from the penetration enhancer group consisting of at least one
of: lecithin and dimethylsulfoxide; wherein: said therapeutic agent is
selected from at least one therapeutic agent in at least one of the
following therapeutic agent groups: (a) a local anesthetic selected from
the group consisting of: bupivacaine, mepivacaine, levobupivacaine,
ropivacaine, chloroprocaine, procaine, lidocaine, etidocaine, benzocaine,
tetracaine, and prilocaine; (b) a quick-onset, short-acting non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory agent selected from the group consisting of: ketoprofen,
diclofenac, diflunisal, etodolac, fenoprofen, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen,
indomethacin, and tolmetin; (c) a long-acting non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory agent selected from the group consisting of: piroxicam,
celecoxib, meloxicam, nabumetone, naproxen, oxaprozin, rofecoxib, sulindac,
and valdecoxib; (d) an antiviral agent selected from the group consisting
of: 2-deoxy-d-glucose, podofilox, acyclovir, penciclovir, and docosanol. ____________________________________________
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