Composition and method for treatment of otitis media

A method of treating otitis media comprising administering a dose of a mixture of lipid crystals in combination with at least one therapeutically active agent effective in the treatment of otitis media, as an aerosol, through an external nasal airway of a mammal, said mixture being comprised of:

• one or more lipid surfactant, one or more spreading agent, one or more therapeutically active agent and at least one propellant in which said surfactants, spreading agents and therapeutic agent are not soluble, said surfactants and spreading agents being selected from the group consisting of cholesteryl esters, phospholipids, carbohydrates, and proteins, all in powder form and said surfactants being present in an amount of from about 80 to about 95.5 percent by weight and said spreading agents being present in an amount of from about 20 to about 0.5 weight percent based upon total weight of said lipid surfactants and spreading agents in said mixture wherein when said propellants are evaporated therefrom, said aerosolized mixture of lipid crystals in combination with at least one therapeutically active agent is provided.

A process for preparing a eustachian tube lumen patency enhancing medicament comprising:

• combining one or more lipid surfactants, one or more spreading agents and one or more propellants to form a mixture, said lipids and said spreading, agents being selected from the group consisting of cholesteryl esters, phospholipids, carbohydrates, and proteins, all in powder form, said lipids and said spreading agents being insoluble in the propellants, said lipid surfactants being selected to be present in an amount of from about 80 to about 99.5 weight percent and said spreading agents are selected to be present in an amount of from about 20 to about 0.5 weight percent, based upon total weight of said lipid surfactants and spreading agents in said mixture,
• wherein when said propellants are evaporated therefrom, a mixture of aerosolized lipid crystals is released for se as the medicament.

A process for preparing an otitis media medicament comprising:

• combining one or more lipid surfactants, one or more spreading agents, one or more therapeutically active agent effective in the treatment of otitis media and one or more propellant to form a mixture, said lipids and said spreading agents being selected from the group consisting of cholesteryl esters, phospholipids, carbohydrates, and proteins, all in powder form, wherein said lipids, said spreading agents and said therapeutically active agents are insoluble in the propellants, said lipid surfactants are selected to be present in an amount of from about 80 to about 99.5 weight percent and said spreading agents are selected to be present in an amount of from about 20 to about 0.5 weight percent, based upon total weight of said lipid surfactants and spreading agents in said mixture;
• and
• wherein when said propellants are evaporated therefrom, a mixture of aerosolized lipid crystals is released for use as the medicament.