Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Designated organic active ingredient containing – Having -c- – wherein x is chalcogen – bonded directly to...
Patent
1996-08-06
1998-12-29
Fay, Zohreh
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Designated organic active ingredient containing
Having -c-, wherein x is chalcogen, bonded directly to...
A61K 31355
Patent
active
058542698
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an aqueous, topical, nasal decongestant composition containing oxymetazoline or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, an aqueous carrier which does not require undesirable mercurial anti-microbal agents.
Aqueous, topical, nasal decongestant compositions containing oxymetazoline hydrochloride, the longest acting nasal decongestant currently available, are applied to the nasal passages of mammals especially human beings to effect temporary relief of nasal congestion associated with colds, hay fever and sinusitis.
It is known that one of the most common complaints of patients and consumers that use nasal spray products is the drying and associated stinging within the nasal cavity. Other common nasal product negative attributes include odor and product taste. Additionally, due to the propensity of nasal products to become microbially contaminated, the use of a two preservative ingredient formulation is preferred.
It is also well known that aromatic ingredients, such as menthol, camphor and eucalyptol are used to promote the opening, draining and subsequent relief of sinus pressure in nasal spray products. Unfortunately, such ingredients are not soluble in water and require the addition of solubilizers to the formulation. It is also unfortunate that the required amount and solubilizers, such as Polysorbate 80 and alcohol solvents significantly adds to the associated unpleasant odor and stinging within the nasal cavity. It is also well known that the addition of surfactants, such as Polysorbate 80 greatly reduces the antimicrobial activity of benzalkonium chloride. As a result of this microbial activity reduction in benzalkonium chloride, other well known mercurial preservatives, such as thimerosal and phenyl mercuric acetate are reluctantly used.
A menthol flavored composition containing vapors of menthol, eucalyptol and camphor in addition to oxymetazoline hydrochloride and an aqueous carrier is currently available as an OTC product under the tradename AFRIN.RTM. Menthol Nasal Spray from Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Liberty Corner, N.J. The aqueous carrier of this product contains benzalkonium chloride, glycerine, phenylmercuric acetate, sorbitol, polysorbate 80 and water.
The use of mercurial preservatives, e.g. phenylmercuric acetate, in nasal compositions, has been questioned and elimination of mercurial preservatives is desirable.
We have surprisingly discovered that incorporation of an aromatic alcohol, e.g. benzyl alcohol and phenyl ethyl alcohol, in menthol type nasal sprays containing oxymetazoline allows removal of the undesirable mercurial preservatives from the nasal spray compositions.
It has been discovered that the incorporation of benzyl alcohol in menthol type aromatic nasal sprays has generated benefits beyond what would be normally expected as "well known" within the formulation arts. It has been found that the characteristic odor of the aromatic alcohols is effectively covered by the menthol type odor. This resulted in the development of a product with a pleasant aromatic odor. It has also been discovered that the addition of aromatic alcohols allowed for the unexpected and desired reduction, and or elimination of required surfactants. As surfactants are also characterized as having an unpleasant odor this reduction cointributed to a pleasant product odor. Furthermore, it has been unexpectedly discovered that the lower surfactant usage levels did not affect the microbial activity of benzalkonium chloride, allowing removal of mercurial preservatives and still maintain a preservative system based on two ingredients.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an aqueous, topical nasal, decongestant composition comprising an amount of oxymetazoline or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof sufficient to effect nasal decongestion and an aqueous carrier which is free of mercurial preservatives.
The present invention also provides an aqueous, flavored, topical nasal decongestant composition comprising an amount
REFERENCES:
patent: 5114979 (1992-05-01), Kielley
Haslwanter Joseph A.
Rencher William
Fay Zohreh
Maitner John J.
Mann Arthur
Schering-Plough Healthcare Products Inc.
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