Abstract:
A dry powder inhaler having improved aerodynamic properties for diluting, dispersing, and metering drug particles for increasing the efficiency of pulmonary drug delivery to a patient is described. The inhaler comprises, in general, a housing having an air intake, an air flow-control/check-valve, a mixing section and a mouthpiece. A cartridge loaded with a single dose of medicament can be installed in the mixing section.
Abstract:
Injectable insulin formulations with improved stability and rapid onset of action are described herein. The formulations may be for subcutaneous, intradermal or intramuscular administration. In the preferred embodiment, the formulations are administered via subcutaneous injection. The formulations contain insulin in combination with a chelator and dissolution agent, and optionally additional excipients. In the preferred embodiment, the formulation contains human insulin, a zinc chelator such as EDTA and a dissolution agent such as citric acid or sodium citrate. These formulations are rapidly absorbed into the blood stream when administered by subcutaneous injection. In the preferred embodiment, the insulin is provided as a clear liquid, neutral pH, in a multi-use sterile vial. In an alternative embodiment, the insulin is provided as a powder in a sterile vial. This is mixed with a diluent containing a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, such as water, a zinc chelator such as EDTA and a dissolution agent such as citric acid shortly before or at the time of administration. In another embodiment, the insulin is stored as a frozen mixture, ready for use upon thawing.
Abstract:
An injectable formulation containing a combination of a rapid acting insulin and a long acting insulin has been developed wherein the pH of the rapid acting insulin is adjusted so that the long acting insulin, e.g. insulin glargine, remains soluble when they are mixed together. In the preferred embodiment, this injectable basal bolus insulin is administered before breakfast, provides adequate bolus insulin levels to cover the meal, does not produce hypoglycemia after the meal and provides adequate basal insulin for up to 24 hours. Lunch and dinner can be covered by two bolus injections of a fast acting, or a rapid acting or a very rapid acting insulin. Alternatively, through adjustment of the ratio of rapid acting insulin to long acting insulin, the long acting insulin may be shortened to a 12 hour formulation. This rapid and long acting blend is re-administered to the patient at dinner time, providing a safe and effective basal insulin level until morning. As a result, a patient using intensive insulin therapy should only inject three, rather than four, times a day.
Abstract:
Compositions containing biologically active molecules encapsulated in self-assembling, diketopiperazine microspheres (TECHNOSPHEREs™) and methods for making and administering such compositions are described herein. The compositions can be used to immunize individuals against agents of biological warfare. The biologically active molecules include atropine, antibodies, antigens, and antibiotics. The compositions can be placed in an inhalation device for self-administration. Pulmonary delivery of TECHNOSPHERE™ encapsulated atropine, antibodies, vaccines, and antibiotics provides an accelerated onset of immunity to the targeted disease. Furthermore, the TECHNOSPHERE™ encapsulated atropine, antibodies, vaccines, and antibiotics are stable formulations, suitable for stockpiling, rapid dissemination and mass treatment.
Abstract:
A formulation composed of a sugar such as glucose and a surfactant such as myristoyl lysophosphocholine (LMPC) has been designed to stabilize both hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions of the glucagon molecule, under prolonged physiological conditions, in a formulation that is sufficiently similar to the pH and osmolarity of plasma so as not to induce or to minimize site irritation. The combination of a simple sugar and an surfactant stabilizes the glucagon molecule in an aqueous solution for seven days at 37° C.
Abstract:
A dry powder inhaler having improved aerodynamic properties for diluting, dispersing, and metering drug particles for increasing the efficiency of pulmonary drug delivery to a patient is described. The inhaler comprises, in general, a housing having an air intake, an air flow-control/check-valve, a mixing section and a mouthpiece. A cartridge loaded with a single dose of medicament can be installed in the mixing section.
Abstract:
A drug delivery device that aerosolizes a dry powder formulation so that it forms a fine coating in the oral cavity and, more specifically in the sublingual region of the oral cavity is described herein. In the preferred embodiment, the device contains five main parts: (i) a compressed gas canister, (ii) a dispenser body (also referred to herein as the main housing ), (iii) a means for storing one or more doses of a drug formulation, (iv) a means for releasing a dose of the drug formulation such as a gas canister or spring piston and (v) a mouthpiece. Preferred configurations include circular, tubular, and rectangular. The means for storing the drug formulation may be configured to separately store one or more materials. In one embodiment, the means for storing the active agent is in the form of one or more drug discs, where the drug discs contain a plurality of blister packs, each storing one dose of the drug formulation. In another embodiment, the means for storing the active agent is a dosage cartridge containing a single dose of the drug formulation. In yet another embodiment, the drug formulation is stored on a ribbon containing a plurality of blister packs, each storing one dose of the drug formulation.
Abstract:
A combined rapid acting-long acting insulin formulation has been developed wherein the pH of the rapid acting insulin is decreased so that the long acting glargine remains soluble when they are mixed together. In the preferred embodiment, this injectable basal bolus insulin is administered before breakfast, provides adequate bolus insulin levels to cover the meal, does not produce hypoglycemia after the meal and provides adequate basal insulin for 24 hours. Lunch and dinner can be covered by two bolus injections of a fast acting, or a rapid acting or a very rapid acting insulin. As a result, a patient using intensive insulin therapy should only inject three, rather than four, times a day. Experiments have been performed to demonstrate the importance of the addition of specific acids to hexameric insulin to enhance speed and amount of absorption and preserve bioactivity following dissociation into the monomeric form by addition of a chelator such as EDTA. As shown by the examples, the preferred acids are aspartic, glutamic and citric acid. These are added in addition to a chelator, preferably ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The results show that the citric acid formulation was more effective at dropping the blood glucose rapidly than the identical rapid acting formulation prepared with HCl in swine. Charge masking by the polyacid appears to be responsible for rapid insulin absorption. EDTA was not effective when used with adipic acid, oxalic acid or HCl at hastening the absorption of insulin. These results confirm the results seen in clinical subjects and patients with diabetes treated with the rapid acting insulin in combination with citric acid and EDTA.
Abstract:
Drug formulations for systemic drug delivery with improved stability and rapid onset of action are described herein. The formulations may be administered via buccal administration, sublingual administration, pulmonary delivery, nasal administration, subcutaneous administration, rectal administration, vaginal administration, or ocular administration. In the preferred embodiments, the formulations are administered sublingually or via subcutaneous injection. The formulations contain an active agent and one or more excipients, selected to increase the rate of dissolution. In the preferred embodiment, the drug is insulin, and the excipients include a metal chelator such as EDTA and an acid such as citric acid. Following administration, these formulations are rapidly absorbed by the oral mucosa when administered sublingually and are rapidly absorbed into the blood stream when administered by subcutaneous injection. In one embodiment, the composition is in the form of a dry powder. In another embodiment, the composition is in the form of a film, wafer, lozenge, capsule, or tablet. In a third embodiment, a dry powdered insulin is mixed with a diluent containing a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, such as water or saline, a metal chelator such as EDTA and an acid such as citric acid. Devices for storing and mixing these formulations are also described.
Abstract:
A basal insulin formulation composed of insulin, preferably insulin glargine, injectable zinc and injectable iron compounds as precipitating and/or stabilizing agents has been developed for subcutaneous, intradermal or intramuscular administration. The formulation is designed to form a precipitate of insulin following injection, creating a slow releasing “basal insulin” over a period of 12 to 24 hours.