Delivery of opioids through an inhalation route

Details Delivery of opioids through an inhalation route Delivery of opioids through an inhalation route

2002-05-21

2004-08-17

Hartley, Michael G. (Department: 1616)

Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions

Effervescent or pressurized fluid containing

Organic pressurized fluid

C424S046000, C424S450000, C424S780000, C514S054000, C514S220000, C128S200140, C128S200240

Reexamination Certificate

active

06776978

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the delivery of opioids through an inhalation route. Specifically, it relates to aerosols containing opioids that are used in inhalation therapy.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are a number of currently marketed opioid compositions. The compositions contain at least one active ingredient that provides for observed therapeutic effects. Among the active ingredients given in such opioid compositions are morphine, codeine, naltrexone, buprenorphine, fentanyl, nalbuphine, naloxone, butorphanol, hydromorphone, oxycodone, meperidine, methadone, pentazocine, remifentanil, and sufentanil.
It is desirable to provide a new route of administration for the opioids that rapidly produces peak plasma concentrations of the compounds. The provision of such a route is an object of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the delivery of opioids through an inhalation route. Specifically, it relates to aerosols containing oploids that are used in inhalation therapy.
In a composition aspect of the present invention, the aerosol comprises particles comprising at least 5 percent by weight of an opioid. Preferably, the particles comprise at least 10 percent by weight of an opioid. More preferably, the particles comprise at least 20 percent, 30 percent, 40 percent, 50 percent, 60 percent, 70 percent, 80 percent, 90 percent, 95 percent, 97 percent, 99 percent, 99.5 percent or 99.97 percent by weight of an opioid.
Typically, the opioid is not morphine or heroin.
Typically, the aerosol has a mass of at least 1 &mgr;g. Preferably, the aerosol has a mass of at least 10 &mgr;g. More preferably, the aerosol has a mass of at least 20 &mgr;g.
Typically, the particles comprise less than 10 percent by weight of opioid degradation products. Preferably, the particles comprise less than 5 percent by weight of opioid degradation products. More preferably, the particles comprise less than 2.5, 1, 0.5, 0.1 or 0.03 percent by weight of opioid degradation products.
Typically, the particles comprise less than 90 percent by weight of water. Preferably, the particles comprise less than 80 percent by weight of water. More preferably, the particles comprise less than 70 percent, 60 percent, 50 percent, 40 percent, 30 percent, 20 percent, 10 percent, or 5 percent by weight of water.
Typically, at least 50 percent by weight of the aerosol is amorphous in form, wherein crystalline forms make up less than 50 percent by weight of the total aerosol weight, regardless of the nature of individual particles. Preferably, at least 75 percent by weight of the aerosol is amorphous in form. More preferably, at least 90 percent by weight of the aerosol is amorphous in form.
Typically, the aerosol has an inhalable aerosol particle density greater than 10
6
particles/mL. Preferably, the aerosol has an inhalable aerosol particle density greater than 10
7
particles/mL or 10
8
particles/mL.
Typically, the aerosol particles have a mass median aerodynamic diameter of less than 5 microns. Preferably, the particles have a mass median aerodynamic diameter of less than 3 microns. More preferably, the particles have a mass median aerodynamic diameter of less than 2 or 1 micron(s).
Typically, the aerosol is formed by heating a composition containing an opioid to form a vapor and subsequently allowing the vapor to condense into an aerosol.
In another composition aspect of the present invention, the aerosol comprises particles comprising at least 5 percent by weight of morphine, codeine, naltrexone, buprenorphine, fentanyl, nalbuphine, naloxone, butorphanol, hydromorphone, oxycodone, meperidine, methadone, pentazocine, remifentanil, or sufentanil. Preferably, the particles comprise at least 10 percent by weight of morphine, codeine, naltrexone, buprenorphine, fentanyl, nalbuphine, naloxone, butorphanol, hydromorphone, oxycodone, meperidine, methadone, pentazocine, remifentanil, or sufentanil. More preferably, the particles comprise at least 20 percent, 30 percent, 40 percent, 50 percent, 60 percent, 70 percent, 80 percent, 90 percent, 95 percent, 97 percent, 99 percent, 99.5 percent or 99.97 percent by weight of morphine, codeine, naltrexone, buprenorphine, fentanyl, nalbuphine, naloxone, butorphanol, hydromorphone, oxycodone, meperidine, methadone, pentazocine, remifentanil, or sufentanil.
Typically, the aerosol has a mass of at least 1 &mgr;g. Preferably, the aerosol has a mass of at least 10 &mgr;g. More preferably, the aerosol has a mass of at least 20 &mgr;g.
Typically, the particles comprise less than 10 percent by weight of morphine, codeine, naltrexone, buprenorphine, fentanyl, nalbuphine, naloxone, butorphanol, hydromorphone, oxycodone, meperidine, methadone, pentazocine, remifentanil, or sufentanil degradation products. Preferably, the particles comprise less than 5 percent by weight of morphine, codeine, naltrexone, buprenorphine, fentanyl, nalbuphine, naloxone, butorphanol, hydromorphone, oxycodone, meperidine, methadone, pentazocine, remifentanil, or sufentanil degradation products. More preferably, the particles comprise less than 2.5, 1, 0.5, 0.1 or 0.03 percent by weight of morphine, codeine, naltrexone, buprenorphine, fentanyl, nalbuphine, naloxone, butorphanol, hydromorphone, oxycodone, meperidine, methadone, pentazocine, remifentanil, or sufentanil degradation products.
Typically, the particles comprise less than 90 percent by weight of water. Preferably, the particles comprise less than 80 percent by weight of water. More preferably, the particles comprise less than 70 percent, 60 percent, 50 percent, 40 percent, 30 percent, 20 percent, 10 percent, or 5 percent by weight of water.
Typically, at least 50 percent by weight of the aerosol is amorphous in form, wherein crystalline forms make up less than 50 percent by weight of the total aerosol weight, regardless of the nature of individual particles. Preferably, at least 75 percent by weight of the aerosol is amorphous in form. More preferably, at least 90 percent by weight of the aerosol is amorphous in form.
Typically, where the aerosol comprises morphine, the aerosol has an inhalable aerosol drug mass density of between 5 mg/L and 25 mg/L. Preferably, the aerosol has an inhalable aerosol drug mass density of between 7.5 mg/L and 22.5 mg/L. More preferably, the aerosol has an inhalable aerosol drug mass density of between 10 mg/L and 20 mg/L.
Typically, where the aerosol comprises codeine, the aerosol has an inhalable aerosol drug mass density of between 5 mg/L and 25 mg/L. Preferably, the aerosol has an inhalable aerosol drug mass density of between 7.5 mg/L and 22.5 mg/L. More preferably, the aerosol has an inhalable aerosol drug mass density of between 10 mg/L and 20 mg/L.
Typically, where the aerosol comprises naltrexone, the aerosol has an inhalable aerosol drug mass density of between 15 mg/L and 35 mg/L. Preferably, the aerosol has an inhalable aerosol drug mass density of between 17.5 mg/L and 32.5 mg/L. More preferably, the aerosol has an inhalable aerosol drug mass density of between 20 mg/L and 30 mg/L.
Typically, where the aerosol comprises buprenorphine, the aerosol has an inhalable aerosol drug mass density of between 0.1 mg/L and 1 mg/L. Preferably, the aerosol has an inhalable aerosol drug mass density of between 0.15 mg/L and 0.8 mg/L. More preferably, the aerosol has an inhalable aerosol drug mass density of between 0.2 mg/L and 0.6 mg/L.
Typically, where the aerosol comprises fentanyl, the aerosol has an inhalable aerosol drug mass density of between 0.01 mg/L and 0.8 mg/L. Preferably, the aerosol has an inhalable aerosol drug mass density of between 0.02 mg/L and 0.6 mg/L. More preferably, the aerosol has an inhalable aerosol drug mass density of between 0.3 mg/L and 0.4 mg/L.
Typically, where the aerosol comprises nalbuphine, the aerosol has an inhalable aerosol drug mass density of between 1 mg/L and 30 mg/L. Preferably, the aerosol has an inhalable aerosol drug mass density of between 2 mg/L and 27.5 mg/L. More preferably, the aerosol has an inhalable aerosol dr

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Delivery of opioids through an inhalation route does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Delivery of opioids through an inhalation route, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Delivery of opioids through an inhalation route will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3302526