Treatment of bruxism

Abstract

This invention relates to the use of a composition for local percutaneous delivery of a drug such as a muscle relaxant, more particularly cyclobenzaprine in an organogel cream. The composition is applied by the patient directly to the skin over accessible muscles of mastication i.e., masseter and temporalis. The composition is rapidly absorbed through the skin to provide control of harmful habits such as bruxism and tooth clenching. The composition can also be applied to the skin overlying these muscles to control muscle hyperactivity (spasm) and/or trigger points, from other causes. The composition can be formulated to include another active agent such as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, for example ketoprofen. The advantage of topical administration versus systemic include use of lower doses of drug, delivery of the drug to the desired site, avoidance of the gastrointestinal tract and hepatic first-pass biotransformation and metabolism, and elimination of many of the side effects of the drug normally associated with systemic administration.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.