Method of producing a nicotine medicament and a medicament made by the method

Abstract

A method of producing a nicotine medicament for use in an inhaler comprises combining nicotine, a non-spheronized sugar and a liquid carrier including water to produce a flowable mixture and spray drying the flowable mixture at conditions to produce particles of the nicotine medicament suitable for delivery to the alveoli and lower airways of the person. Also disclosed is a nicotine medicament made by the method. The nicotine composition produced by this method is a composite particle suitable for tobacco replacement or withdrawal therapy.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11 / 673,813 filed Feb. 12, 2007 which is still pending, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10 / 320,479 filed Dec. 17, 2007 which is abandoned, which is a division of application Ser. No. 09 / 759,304 filed on Jan. 16, 2001 and which is abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 09 / 265,367 filed Mar. 10, 1999, which is abandoned, all of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to nicotine medicaments. In particular, the invention relates to a method of producing a nicotine medicament which is suitable for inhalation.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Smoking has been determined to be a contributory or causative factor in a number of diseases including respiratory diseases such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, lung infections and lung cancer. Most regular smokers become addicted to, or dependent upon, the pharmacological effects of nicotine in tobacc...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]Cigarette smoke is an aerosol comprising discrete particles of tar with which the nicotine is associated. The tar particles are of a size, which makes them capable of traveling to the alveoli and lower airways of a person. Upon study, it has been determined that the nicotine is effectively conveyed to the alveoli and lower airways of a person by the tar particles. Current tobacco replacement therapies have not been effective in satisfying a person's craving for cigarettes. According to the instant invention, a nicotine formulation, which more closely simulates cigarette smoke, is provided which may be used with existing inhaler technology so as to improve the effectiveness of tobacco replacement or withdrawal therapies.

[0024]Nicotine, if it impacts upon the throat or upper airways of the person may cause irritation. Thus, the method of the instant invention may be used to produce a powdered medicament formulation, which, by inhalation, may reach the alveoli and smaller airways of a person's lungs without causing undue, and preferably, no irritation.

[0025]The method may also be used to produce particles, which, not only are spherical, but have an uneven or a “dimpled” surface. The spherical shape of the dried particles reduces aggregation of the particles while in the inhaler, thus rendering it easier to aerosolize the particles upon inhalation by the user. Further, by having a dimpled surface, the aerodynamics of the medicament particles are improved whereby the particles may by more easily entrained in the air inhaled by the user.

Problems solved by technology

Current tobacco replacement therapies have not been effective in satisfying a person's craving for cigarettes.

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