Formulations for respiratory tract administration

Abstract

A dosage form for intranasal and / or inhalation administration of an analgesic having low opioid receptor binding activity to a warm blooded animal, that includes a pharmaceutically effective amount of the analgesic. A preferred analgesic is tramadol, a tramadol and / or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, metabolite or derivative thereof. Methods of making and using the formulation according to the invention are also provided.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to formulations and methods for the intranasal and inhalation administration of analgesics having low opioid receptor binding affinity.

[0002] Pharmacologically active compounds are most commonly administered by the oral route. In particular, analgesics are preferably taken by mouth. However, this convenient route of administration is not always possible for certain patients. Contraindications to oral administration of analgesics can include nausea and / or emesis, oral or gastrointestinal surgery and dysphagia. In addition, rate of analgesia onset is slower and more variable due to first pass effects which compromise the apparent potency of some analgesics and complicate their use. The alternative of administration by injection, e.g., parenteral, intramuscular or subcutaneous injection, is generally not preferred due to patient discomfort and the attendant increased costs associated with the production of and administration of injectable products.[...