Novel formulations for the administration of fluoxetine

A device for the transdermal administration of fluoxetine at a therapeutically effective rate, comprising:

• (a) a reservoir comprising an amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of fluoxetine;
• (b) a backing behind the body contacting-distal surface of the reservoir;
• and
• (c) means for maintaining the reservoir in fluoxetine transmitting relation with a body surface or membrane, said device having a surface area defining an area of fluoxetine delivery of less than about 60 cm2, wherein a therapeutically effective amount of fluoxetine is delivered at a therapeutically effective rate within 250-3200 μg/hr during an administration period of at least 12 hours in order to achieve and maintain therapeutic blood or plasma levels throughout a substantial portion of the administration period.

A device for the transdermal administration of fluoxetine at a therapeutically effective rate, comprising:

• (a) a first reservoir comprising an amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of fluoxetine;
• (b) a second reservoir comprising an excess of fluoxetine salt at or below saturation when in equilibrium with the first reservoir;
• (c) a rate-controlling membrane between the first reservoir and the second reservoir;
• (d) a backing behind the body contacting-distal surface of the second reservoir;
• and
• (e) means for maintaining the first and second reservoirs in fluoxetine-transmitting relation with a body surface or membrane, said device having a surface area defining an area of fluoxetine delivery of less than about 60 cm2, wherein a therapeutically effective amount of fluoxetine is delivered at a therapeutically effective rate within 250-3200 μg/hr during an administration period of at least 12 hours in order to provide therapeutic blood or plasma levels.