Use of borate-polyol complexes in ophthalmic compositions
AssigneeAlcon Laboratories, Inc.
InventorsMasood Chowhan, Nissanke L. Dassanayake
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Abstract
Water-soluble borate-polyol complexes are useful as buffers and/or antimicrobials in aqueous ophthalmic compositions, including those containing polyvinyl alcohol. These compositions have greater antimicrobial activity than comparable compositions containing typical borate buffers and unexpectedly increase the antimicrobial efficacy of other antimicrobial agents when used in combination. In addition, use of the borate-polyol complexes avoids the incompatibility problem typically associated with the combination of borate buffer and polyvinyl alcohol; therefore, the compositions disclosed herein may also contain polyvinyl alcohol.
Claims21
In a method of preserving an aqueous ophthalmic composition from microbial contamination, the improvement which comprises including 0.5 to 6.0 wt % of a water-soluble borate-polyol complex in the composition, said complex containing borate and polyol in a molar ratio of 1:0.1 to 1:10, whereby the antimicrobial activity of the composition is enhanced.
A saline solution for soaking, rinsing and storing contact lenses, comprising:
- an amount of a borate-polyol complex sufficient to preserve the solution from microbial contamination, said complex containing borate and polyol in a molar ratio of 1:0.1 to 1:1;
- an amount of an osmolality-building agent sufficient to render the solution isotonic;
- and
- water.
An aqueous solution for disinfecting contact lenses, comprising:
- a disinfecting amount of an ophthalmically acceptable antimicrobial agent;
- an amount of a borate-polyol complex sufficient to enhance the antimicrobial efficacy of the antimicrobial agent, said complex containing borate and polyol in a molar ratio of 1:0.1 to 1:10;
- an amount of an osmolality-building agent sufficient to render the solution isotonic;
- and
- water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.