Hydroxide-releasing agents as skin permeation enhancers
AssigneeDermatrends, Inc.
InventorsEric C. Luo, Eric C. Jacobson, Tsung-Min Hsu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method is provided for increasing the permeability of skin or mucosal tissue to topically or transdermally administered pharmacologically or cosmeceutically active agents. The method involves use of a specified amount of a hydroxide-releasing agent, the amount optimized to increase the flux of the active agent through a body surface while minimizing the likelihood of skin damage, irritation or sensitization. Topically applied formulations and drug delivery devices employing hydroxide-releasing agents as permeation enhancers are provided as well.
Claims41
A method for enhancing the flux of a drug through a body surface, comprising administering the drug to a localized region of a human patient's body surface in combination with a hydroxide-releasing agent, the hydroxide-releasing agent being present in an amount effective to enhance the flux of the drug through the localized region of the body surface without causing damage thereto, and effective to provide a pH in the range of approximately 8.5 to 13.0 at the localized region of the body surface, during drug administration, wherein the drug and hydroxide-releasing agent are present in a formulation and the amount of hydroxide-releasing agent in the formulation applied to the body surface is the total of (a) the amount required to neutralize any acidic species in the formulation plus (b) an amount equal to approximately 0.5 wt. % to 25.0 wt. % of the formulation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.