Topical drug delivery using phosphatidylcholine

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for transdermal drug delivery comprising formulating a phosphatidylcholine carrier composition containing the drug and applying the composition to the skin.

Description

PRIOR APPLICATION [0001] This application is a divisional patent application of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 448,632 for “Topical Drug Delivery Using Phosphatidylcholine,” filed May 30, 2003, which claims priority benefits under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 384,597 filed May 31, 2002.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a topical drug delivery composition and method. More specifically, this invention relates to topical drug delivery compositions and methods using phosphatidylcholine. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Transdermal drug delivery systems may be designed to act locally at the point of application or to act systemically by entering the body's blood circulation. In these systems, delivery may be achieved by direct topical application of a substance or drug in the form of an ointment or the like, or by adhesion of a patch with a reservoir that holds the drug and releases it to the skin in a ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] It is an advantage of the invention that topical delivery is easier and pleasanter as an administration route than injections, particularly for drugs such as insulin that must be given to patients over a period of time, or for a lifetime. Furthermore, unlike oral administration where a substantial amount of the drug can be destroyed in the digestive process, the drugs in a topical application are not wasted. Topical application allows a steady diffusion of the drug to the desired target area without the cyclic dosages typical of orally or parenterally administered drugs.

Problems solved by technology

However, these systems have typically only been useful for transdermal delivery of relatively small molecules.

However, large molecules, such as insulin, are not able to diffuse through the skin.

To date there has not been an effective and economical method to transport such molecules through the epidermis to enter the bloodstream via the dermal vasculature.

This problem is particularly apparent in the transdermal delivery of substances composed of large molecules, such as polypeptides or proteins, which do not readily pass through the pores of the skin.