Absorption enhancers such as e.g. bht, bha or propyl gallate

A pharmaceutical composition comprising a mixture of:

• (a) an active macromolecular principle,
• (b) an aromatic alcohol absorption enhancer chosen from propyl gallate, butylated hydroxy toluene, butylated hydroxy anisole and analogues and derivatives thereof, wherein the aromatic alcohol absorption enhancer is present in an amount by weight greater than or equal to that of the active macromolecular principle, and
• (c) a solubilisation aid capable of increasing the solubility of the aromatic alcohol absorption enhancer in aqueous media.

Use, in a pharmaceutical composition, of an aromatic alcohol chosen from butylated hydroxy toluene, butylated hydroxy anisole and analogues and derivatives thereof as an enhancer for the absorption of a macromolecule across the intestinal wall.

Use of an aromatic alcohol chosen from butylated hydroxy toluene, butylated hydroxy anisole and analogues and derivatives thereof in the manufacture of a medicament containing an active macromolecular principle, in order to enhance absorption of the active macromolecular principle into the human or animal body.

Use, in a pharmaceutical composition, of an aromatic alcohol chosen from propyl gallate, butylated hydroxy toluene, butylated hydroxy anisole and analogues and derivatives thereof together with a solubilisation aid capable of increasing the solubility of the aromatic alcohol absorption enhancer in aqueous media as an enhancer for the absorption of macromolecules across the intestinal wall.

Use of an aromatic alcohol chosen from propyl gallate, butylated hydroxy toluene, butylated hydroxy anisole and analogues and derivatives thereof together with a solubilisation aid capable of increasing the solubility of the aromatic alcohol absorption enhancer in aqueous media in the manufacture of a medicament containing an active macromolecular principle, in order to enhance absorption of the active macromolecular principle into the human or animal body.