Aqueous-based pharmaceutical composition

An article of manufacture comprising

• (A) an aqueous pharmaceutical composition which comprises:
• a pharmaceutically effective amount of solid particles of triamcinolone acetonide which is effective in treating an abnormal bodily condition by virtue of its being present on the mucosal surfaces of the nasal cavity and a suspending agent in an amount effective to maintain said particles dispersed uniformly in the composition and to impart to the composition the following thixotropic properties:
• (i) the viscosity of the composition in unsheared form is relatively high, with the composition being a gel having said particles suspended therein;
• (ii) as the composition is subjected to shear (shaken) in preparation for spraying, the viscosity of the composition becomes relatively low and such that the composition in the form of a mist flows readily into the nasal passages for deposit on the mucosal surfaces of the nasal cavity;
• and (iii) in deposited form on the mucosal surfaces, the viscosity of the composition is relatively high and such that it resists being cleared from the mucosal surfaces by the inherent mucocillary forces which are present in the nasal cavity;
• (B) a vessel which contains said composition;
• and
• (C) a precompression pump which is associated with the vessel and which is capable of spraying a full dose of the composition into the nostril of an individual.

An article of manufacture comprising:

• (A) a thixotropic aqueous pharmaceutical composition which is capable of being sprayed into the nasal cavity of an individual, which is propellant-free and has a pH of about 4.5 to 7.5, and which comprises (a) triamcinolone acetonide;
• (b) a mixture of microcrystalline cellulose and carboxymethylcellulose sodium;
• (c) Polysorbate 80;
• (d) disodium ethylenediamine tetraacetate;
• (e) benzalkonium chloride;
• (f) dextrose;
• and (g) purified water;
• (B) a vessel which contains said composition;
• and
• (C) a precompression pump associated with the vessel and which is capable of spraying a full dose of the composition into the nostril of an individual.

A method for treating allergic rhinitis in an individual comprising the administration to said individual of an aqueous thixotropic pharmaceutical composition comprising:

• (A) a pharmaceutically effective amount of solid particles of triamcinolone acetonide which is effective in treating allergic rhinitis by virtue of its being present on the mucosal surfaces of the nasal cavity of the individual;
• and
• (B) a suspending agent in an amount effective to maintain said particles dispersed uniformly in the composition and to impart to the composition thixotropic properties;
• by spraying a full dose of the composition in the form of a readily flowable atomized mist into one of the nostrils of the individual for deposit on the mucosal surfaces of the nasal cavity in the form of a viscous composition which resists being cleared from the mucosal surfaces by the inherent mucocillary forces which are present in the nasal cavity.