Topical compositions for treatment of skin conditions

Abstract

The invention provides a topical formulation adapted for treatment of a skin condition comprising (i) at least one retinoid; and (ii) salicylic acid or an ester, amide, salt, or solvate thereof. The invention also includes a kit for treatment of skin conditions comprising a retinoid and salicylic acid, as well as a method of treating skin conditions utilizing the inventive formulation and kit.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appl. Ser. No. 60 / 872,528, filed Dec. 4, 2006, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to formulations and kits useful in the treatment of skin conditions. The invention further relates to methods of treatment comprising co-administering multiple active ingredients.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Retinoids are a group of compounds known to include retinol (Vitamin A), retinal, all-trans-retinoic acid, 13-cis-retinoic acid, and 9-cis-retinoic acid, as well as a variety of esters and similar derivatives. Many retinoids have useful skin-treatment properties. Vitamin A, for example, has long been employed for dermal treatments, particularly for the treatment of acne in a variety of its manifestations. The use of Vitamin A itself has been limited because of the toxic character of the compound when administ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The present invention provides a safe and effective combination of active agents characterized by synergistic activity, and which is particularly useful in the treatment of skin disorders, particularly acne. The combined active agents include at least one retinoid, particularly selected from a class of retinoids that are non-irritating to skin, and salicylic acid, or an ester, amide, salt, or solvate thereof. The combination of these active ingredients provides a skin treatment formulation characterized by rapid onset of activity and lack of skin irritation.

Problems solved by technology

The use of Vitamin A itself has been limited because of the toxic character of the compound when administered in excess.

Vitamin A esters, such as Vitamin A palmitate, for example, are considered safer, although these materials too have substantial levels of toxicity that limits the concentrations at which the compounds can be administered.

The precursor is less effective, though, since beta-carotene itself is largely inactive and must be cleaved to the active Vitamin A form before the desired effects are produced.

Such cleavage, however, is difficult to manage, predict, and control.

Retinal has not achieved such level of dermal use because of the instability of the compound under exposure to heat, oxygen, and ultraviolet light, which makes the compound unacceptable for most candidate uses.

A substantial level of administration for other indications has not yet been approved, including anti-wrinkling and antiactinic treatments of the skin.

All-trans-retinoic acid has been demonstrated to be irritating to the skin, producing inflammation in a substantial proportion of users.

The compound is, however, highly teratogenic and mutagenic, and is strictly contraindicated in women of child-bearing potential.

In many cases these compounds have activities comparable to the parent acid and comparable inflammatory and irritating characteristics, although some are known to be safer and less irritating than others (sometimes at the expense of reduced effectiveness).

Complicating side effects complicating administration of tretinoin include skin irritation and dermatitis of several weeks duration.

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