Foamable Composition

Abstract

A foamable composition, includes (1) about 6% to about 70% by weight of at least one organic carrier; (2) about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of at least one surface-active agent; (3) about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of at least one film forming agent; (4) water; and (5) about 3% to about 25% by weight of the total composition of at least one liquefied or compressed gas propellant. The composition is substantially alcohol free and is used in treating, alleviating or preventing a disorder.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 337,747, filed Jan. 23, 2006, which is 1) a continuation-in-part application of International Patent Application No. IB03 / 005527, filed on Oct. 24, 2003, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 429,546, filed on Nov. 29, 2002, and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to Israeli Patent Application No. 152486, filed Oct. 25, 2002; 2) a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 911,367, filed on Aug. 4, 2004, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 492,385, filed on Aug. 4, 2003; and 3) a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 922,358, filed Aug. 20, 2004, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 497,648, fil...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0040]In certain embodiments, the organic carrier is a combination of a hydrophobic carrier and a polar solvent; or a combination of an emollient and a polar solvent; or a combination of a hydrophobic carrier, an emollient and a polar solvent. Polar solvents may be added to the foam composition for a variety of reasons, such as to increase drug solubilization, promote dermal drug delivery or provide a desired sensory feeling. However, polar solvents tend to dry the skin and impair the integrity of the skin barrier. By contrast, by combining a polar solvent and a hydrophobic carrier, or an emollient or both, unwanted skin barrier damage is reduced. A ratio of 8:1 and 1:4 between the hydrophobic carrier / emollient and the polar solvent is preferred.Film Forming Agent

[0041]The foamable composition of the present invention contains a film forming agent. The film forming agent serves to stabilize the foam composition and to control drug residence in the target organ, thereby limiting the rate of its clearance from the site. The film formation properties of the foamable composition help maintain active ingredients on the site of application by imparting resistance to abrasion or rub-off. Furthermore, in certain cases, the film that is formed promotes the penetration of active agents into the skin (intradermal penetration) and through the skin (transdermal penetration), as it creates an occlusive or semi-occlusive layer at the treatment site.

Problems solved by technology

Foams and, in particular, foam emulsions are complicated systems which do not form under all circumstances.

Changes in foam emulsion composition, such as by the addition of active ingredients may destabilize the foam.

The alcohol promotes fast drying and thereby attempts to address the sticky feeling left by many topical formulations after application; however, alcohols, and in particular the methyl, ethyl and isopropyl alcohols preferred in the '920 patent, are defatting agents and may cause skin to become dry and cracked.