Pharmaceutical compositions comprising esreboxetine

Abstract

Disclosed herein are dosage forms comprising esreboxetine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein the esreboxetine and the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient are in a uniform blend. Also disclosed herein are dosage forms comprising esreboxetine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, and less than 13 ppm of (S)-2-((S)-(2-ethoxyphenoxy)(phenyl)methyl)-4-nitrosomorpholine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Therapeutic uses of the pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms are also described herein.

Description

[0001] PCT APPLICATION 134057-00001069_14T01 WO

[0002] PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING ESREBOXETINE

[0003] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0004] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 19 / 172,485, filed April 7, 2025; U.S. Patent Application No. 19 / 096,247, filed March 31, 2025; U.S. Patent Application No. 19 / 083,348, filed March 18, 2025; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.

[0005] 63 / 747,811, filed January 21, 2025; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 747,812, filed January 21, 2025; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 747,814, filed January 21, 2025, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

[0006] BACKGROUND

[0007] Fibromyalgia is a serious and debilitating chronic condition that causes widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Fibromyalgia is estimated to afflict an estimated 4 million individuals in the U.S. Fibromyalgia can cause pain, fatigue, muscle pain or tenderness, face and jaw pain, headaches and migraines, digestive problems, including diarrhea and constipation, bladder control issues, memory problems, anxiety, depression, insomnia and other sleep disorders. Unfortunately, currently approved treatments are few for this under-understood condition and are limited by variability in efficacy from patient to patient, tolerability issues, and the need for Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) scheduling.

[0008] SUMMARY

[0009] This disclosure relates generally to the treatment of fibromyalgia. For example, a pharmaceutical composition for fibromyalgia, for example, by reducing pain caused by fibromyalgia, may comprise a therapeutically effective amount of esreboxetine free base, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, such as esreboxetine succinate, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is disclosed.

[0010] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to esreboxetine, such as esreboxetine composition, for example, an esreboxetine composition that is in a tablet dosage form.PCT APPLICATION 134057-00001069_14T01 WO

[0011] Some embodiments include a pharmaceutical composition comprising a uniform blend of esreboxetine and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of esreboxetine, such as esreboxetine succinate.

[0012] Some embodiments comprise a compound represented by a formula:

[0013]

[0014] , having a name (S)-2-((S)-(2-ethoxyphenoxy)(phenyl)methyl)-4-nitrosomorpholine.

[0015] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The compositions or dosage forms described herein may be useful for treating a nervous system disorder, such as fibromyalgia, and for other purposes.

[0017] Detailed descriptions of one or more embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present disclosure is embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present disclosure in any appropriate manner.

[0018] Esreboxetine Tablet Dosage Forms

[0019] The dosage form, such as a tablet, may contain esreboxetine free base, such as about 3-5 mg, about 3.5-4.5 mg, or about 4 mg of esreboxetine free base, or a molar equivalent amount of a salt form of esreboxetine, such as about 4-6 mg, about 4-5 mg, or about 5.5 mg of esreboxetine succinate. 5.51 mg of esreboxetine succinate is equivalent to 4 mg of esreboxetine free base.

[0020] The dosage form, such as a tablet, may contain hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), also referred to as Hypromellose, such as about 30-50%, about 35-45%, orPCT APPLICATION 134057-00001069_14T01 WO

[0021] about 40% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose by weight. In some embodiments, the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is Hypromellose 2208 (Methocel K4M), USP.

[0022] The dosage form, such as a tablet, may contain a diluent, such as directly compressible starch. Directly compressible starch contains a blend of about 0.5-2% silicon dioxide and about 98-99.5% starch, such as pregelatinized starch. In some embodiments, the tablet contains about 30-40%, about 30-35%, about 33-34%, or about 33.6% directly compressible starch by weight. For example, StarTab® is a directly compressible starch containing 99% pregelatinized starch and 1% colloidal silicon dioxide. In some embodiments, the directly compressible starch is StarTab® Directly Compressible Starch 4001. In some embodiments, a directly compressible starch, such as StarTab® directly compressible starch (e.g., StarTab® Directly Compressible Starch 4001 ) may help to improve tablet hardness.

[0023] The dosage form, such as a tablet, may contain microcrystalline cellulose, as a binder and / or diluent, such as about 10-30%, about 15-25%, or about 20% microcrystalline cellulose by weight. In some embodiments, the microcrystalline cellulose is Microcrystalline Cellulose (Avicel® PH-102), USP-NF.

[0024] The dosage form, such as a tablet, may contain about 0.05-2%, about 0.1 -0.2%, or about 0.16% silicon dioxide by weight. In some embodiments, the silicon dioxide is Silicon Dioxide (Syloid® 244FP), USP-NF

[0025] The dosage form, such as a tablet, may contain magnesium stearate such as about 0.1-5%, about 0.5-1%, or about 0.75% magnesium stearate by weight. In some embodiments, the magnesium stearate is Magnesium Stearate (HyQual®), USP-NF The dosage form, such as a tablet, may be coated, e.g., with a film coating. For example, a film coating may comprise a polymer, a plasticizer, and / or a pigment. The film coating may be, e.g., about 1-10%, about 4-6%, or about 5% of the weight of the dosage form or tablet. In some embodiments, the film coating may be Opadry II 85F520247, Yellow

[0026] In some embodiments, the dosage form contains esreboxetine free base, such as about 3-5 mg, about 3.5-4.5 mg, or about 4 mg of esreboxetine free base, or a molar equivalent amount of a salt form of esreboxetine, such as about 4-6 mg, about 4-5 mg,PCT APPLICATION 134057-00001069_14T01 WO

[0027] or about 5.5 mg of esreboxetine succinate; about 30-50%, about 35-45%, or about 40% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose by weight; about 30-40%, about 30-35%, about 33-34%, or about 33.6% directly compressible starch by weight; about 10-30%, about 15-25%, or about 20% microcrystalline cellulose by weight; about 0.05-2%, about 0.1 -0.2%, or about 0.16% silicon dioxide by weight; and about 0.1-5%, about 0.5-1%, or about 0.75% magnesium stearate by weight.

[0028] In some embodiments, the dosage form contains esreboxetine free base, such as about 3-5 mg, about 3.5-4.5 mg, or about 4 mg of esreboxetine free base, or a molar equivalent amount of a salt form of esreboxetine, such as about 4-6 mg, about 4-5 mg, or about 5.5 mg of esreboxetine succinate; about 30-50%, about 35-45%, or about 40% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose by weight; about 30-40%, about 30-35%, about 33-34%, or about 33.6% directly compressible starch by weight; about 10-30%, about 15-25%, or about 20% microcrystalline cellulose by weight; about 0.05-2%, about 0.1 -0.2%, or about 0.16% silicon dioxide by weight; and the film coating is about 1 -10%, about 4-6%, or about 5% of the weight of the dosage form or tablet.

[0029] In some embodiments, the dosage form contains esreboxetine free base, such as about 3-5 mg, about 3.5-4.5 mg, or about 4 mg of esreboxetine free base, or a molar equivalent amount of a salt form of esreboxetine, such as about 4-6 mg, about 4-5 mg, or about 5.5 mg of esreboxetine succinate; about 30-50%, about 35-45%, or about 40% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose by weight; about 30-40%, about 30-35%, about 33-34%, or about 33.6% directly compressible starch by weight; about 0.05-2%, about 0.1 -0.2%, or about 0.16% silicon dioxide by weight; about 0.1-5%, about 0.5-1%, or about 0.75% magnesium stearate by weight; and the film coating is about 1 -10%, about 4-6%, or about 5% of the weight of the dosage form or tablet.

[0030] In some embodiments, the dosage form contains esreboxetine free base, such as about 3-5 mg, about 3.5-4.5 mg, or about 4 mg of esreboxetine free base, or a molar equivalent amount of a salt form of esreboxetine, such as about 4-6 mg, about 4-5 mg, or about 5.5 mg of esreboxetine succinate; about 30-50%, about 35-45%, or about 40% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose by weight; about 10-30%, about 15-25%, or about 20% microcrystalline cellulose by weight; about 0.05-2%, about 0.1 -0.2%, or about 0.16%PCT APPLICATION 134057-00001069_14T01 WO

[0031] silicon dioxide by weight; about 0.1-5%, about 0.5-1%, or about 0.75% magnesium stearate by weight; and the film coating is about 1-10%, about 4-6%, or about 5% of the weight of the dosage form or tablet.

[0032] In some embodiments, the dosage form contains esreboxetine free base, such as about 3-5 mg, about 3.5-4.5 mg, or about 4 mg of esreboxetine free base, or a molar equivalent amount of a salt form of esreboxetine, such as about 4-6 mg, about 4-5 mg, or about 5.5 mg of esreboxetine succinate; about 30-40%, about 30-35%, about 33-34%, or about 33.6% directly compressible starch by weight; about 10-30%, about 15-25%, or about 20% microcrystalline cellulose by weight; about 0.05-2%, about 0.1 -0.2%, or about 0.16% silicon dioxide by weight; about 0.1-5%, about 0.5-1%, or about 0.75% magnesium stearate by weight; and the film coating is about 1-10%, about 4-6%, or about 5% of the weight of the dosage form or tablet.

[0033] In some embodiments, the dosage form contains esreboxetine free base, such as about 3-5 mg, about 3.5-4.5 mg, or about 4 mg of esreboxetine free base, or a molar equivalent amount of a salt form of esreboxetine, such as about 4-6 mg, about 4-5 mg, or about 5.5 mg of esreboxetine succinate; about 30-50%, about 35-45%, or about 40% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose by weight; about 30-40%, about 30-35%, about 33-34%, or about 33.6% directly compressible starch by weight; about 10-30%, about 15-25%, or about 20% microcrystalline cellulose by weight; and about 0.1-5%, about 0.5-1%, or about 0.75% magnesium stearate by weight.

[0034] In some embodiments, the dosage form contains esreboxetine free base, such as about 3-5 mg, about 3.5-4.5 mg, or about 4 mg of esreboxetine free base, or a molar equivalent amount of a salt form of esreboxetine, such as about 4-6 mg, about 4-5 mg, or about 5.5 mg of esreboxetine succinate; about 30-50%, about 35-45%, or about 40% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose by weight; about 30-40%, about 30-35%, about 33-34%, or about 33.6% directly compressible starch by weight; about 0.05-2%, about 0.1 -0.2%, or about 0.16% silicon dioxide by weight; and about 0.1-5%, about 0.5-1%, or about 0.75% magnesium stearate by weight.

[0035] In some embodiments, the dosage form contains esreboxetine free base, such as about 3-5 mg, about 3.5-4.5 mg, or about 4 mg of esreboxetine free base, or a molarPCT APPLICATION 134057-00001069_14T01 WO

[0036] equivalent amount of a salt form of esreboxetine, such as about 4-6 mg, about 4-5 mg, or about 5.5 mg of esreboxetine succinate; about 30-50%, about 35-45%, or about 40% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose by weight; about 10-30%, about 15-25%, or about 20% microcrystalline cellulose by weight; about 0.05-2%, about 0.1 -0.2%, or about 0.16% silicon dioxide by weight; and about 0.1-5%, about 0.5-1%, or about 0.75% magnesium stearate by weight.

[0037] In some embodiments, the dosage form contains esreboxetine free base, such as about 3-5 mg, about 3.5-4.5 mg, or about 4 mg of esreboxetine free base, or a molar equivalent amount of a salt form of esreboxetine, such as about 4-6 mg, about 4-5 mg, or about 5.5 mg of esreboxetine succinate; about 30-40%, about 30-35%, about 33-34%, or about 33.6% directly compressible starch by weight; about 10-30%, about 15-25%, or about 20% microcrystalline cellulose by weight; about 0.05-2%, about 0.1 -0.2%, or about 0.16% silicon dioxide by weight; and about 0.1-5%, about 0.5-1%, or about 0.75% magnesium stearate by weight.

[0038] In some embodiments, the dosage form contains esreboxetine free base, such as about 3-5 mg, about 3.5-4.5 mg, or about 4 mg of esreboxetine free base, or a molar equivalent amount of a salt form of esreboxetine, such as about 4-6 mg, about 4-5 mg, or about 5.5 mg of esreboxetine succinate; about 30-50%, about 35-45%, or about 40% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose by weight; about 30-40%, about 30-35%, about 33-34%, or about 33.6% directly compressible starch by weight; about 10-30%, about 15-25%, or about 20% microcrystalline cellulose by weight; and the film coating is about 1-10%, about 4-6%, or about 5% of the weight of the dosage form or tablet.

[0039] In some embodiments, the dosage form contains esreboxetine free base, such as about 3-5 mg, about 3.5-4.5 mg, or about 4 mg of esreboxetine free base, or a molar equivalent amount of a salt form of esreboxetine, such as about 4-6 mg, about 4-5 mg, or about 5.5 mg of esreboxetine succinate; about 30-50%, about 35-45%, or about 40% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose by weight; about 30-40%, about 30-35%, about 33-34%, or about 33.6% directly compressible starch by weight; about 0.05-2%, about 0.1 -0.2%, or about 0.16% silicon dioxide by weight; and the film coating is about 1-10%, about 4-6%, or about 5% of the weight of the dosage form or tablet.PCT APPLICATION 134057-00001069_14T01 WO

[0040] In some embodiments, the dosage form contains esreboxetine free base, such as about 3-5 mg, about 3.5-4.5 mg, or about 4 mg of esreboxetine free base, or a molar equivalent amount of a salt form of esreboxetine, such as about 4-6 mg, about 4-5 mg, or about 5.5 mg of esreboxetine succinate; about 30-50%, about 35-45%, or about 40% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose by weight; about 10-30%, about 15-25%, or about 20% microcrystalline cellulose by weight; about 0.05-2%, about 0.1 -0.2%, or about 0.16% silicon dioxide by weight; and the film coating is about 1-10%, about 4-6%, or about 5% of the weight of the dosage form or tablet.

[0041] In some embodiments, the dosage form contains esreboxetine free base, such as about 3-5 mg, about 3.5-4.5 mg, or about 4 mg of esreboxetine free base, or a molar equivalent amount of a salt form of esreboxetine, such as about 4-6 mg, about 4-5 mg, or about 5.5 mg of esreboxetine succinate; about 30-40%, about 30-35%, about 33-34%, or about 33.6% directly compressible starch by weight; about 10-30%, about 15-25%, or about 20% microcrystalline cellulose by weight; about 0.05-2%, about 0.1 -0.2%, or about 0.16% silicon dioxide by weight; and the film coating is about 1 -10%, about 4-6%, or about 5% of the weight of the dosage form or tablet.

[0042] In some embodiments, the dosage form contains esreboxetine free base, such as about 3-5 mg, about 3.5-4.5 mg, or about 4 mg of esreboxetine free base, or a molar equivalent amount of a salt form of esreboxetine, such as about 4-6 mg, about 4-5 mg, or about 5.5 mg of esreboxetine succinate; about 30-50%, about 35-45%, or about 40% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose by weight; about 30-40%, about 30-35%, about 33-34%, or about 33.6% directly compressible starch by weight; about 0.1-5%, about 0.5-1%, or about 0.75% magnesium stearate by weight; and the film coating is about 1-10%, about 4-6%, or about 5% of the weight of the dosage form or tablet.

[0043] In some embodiments, the dosage form contains esreboxetine free base, such as about 3-5 mg, about 3.5-4.5 mg, or about 4 mg of esreboxetine free base, or a molar equivalent amount of a salt form of esreboxetine, such as about 4-6 mg, about 4-5 mg, or about 5.5 mg of esreboxetine succinate; about 30-50%, about 35-45%, or about 40% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose by weight; about 0.05-2%, about 0.1 -0.2%, oraboutO.16% silicon dioxide by weight; about 0.1-5%, about 0.5-1%, or about 0.75% magnesiumPCT APPLICATION 134057-00001069_14T01 WO

[0044] stearate by weight; and the film coating is about 1-10%, about 4-6%, or about 5% of the weight of the dosage form or tablet.

[0045] In some embodiments, the dosage form contains esreboxetine free base, such as about 3-5 mg, about 3.5-4.5 mg, or about 4 mg of esreboxetine free base, or a molar equivalent amount of a salt form of esreboxetine, such as about 4-6 mg, about 4-5 mg, or about 5.5 mg of esreboxetine succinate; about 30-40%, about 30-35%, about 33-34%, or about 33.6% directly compressible starch by weight; about 0.05-2%, about 0.1 -0.2%, or about 0.16% silicon dioxide by weight; about 0.1-5%, about 0.5-1%, or about 0.75% magnesium stearate by weight; and the film coating is about 1 -10%, about 4-6%, or about 5% of the weight of the dosage form or tablet.

[0046] In some embodiments, the dosage form contains esreboxetine free base, such as about 3-5 mg, about 3.5-4.5 mg, or about 4 mg of esreboxetine free base, or a molar equivalent amount of a salt form of esreboxetine, such as about 4-6 mg, about 4-5 mg, or about 5.5 mg of esreboxetine succinate; about 30-40%, about 30-35%, about 33-34%, or about 33.6% directly compressible starch by weight; about 10-30%, about 15-25%, or about 20% microcrystalline cellulose by weight; about 0.1-5%, about 0.5-1%, or about 0.75% magnesium stearate by weight; and the film coating is about 1-10%, about 4-6%, or about 5% of the weight of the dosage form or tablet.

[0047] In some embodiments, the dosage form contains esreboxetine free base, such as about 3-5 mg, about 3.5-4.5 mg, or about 4 mg of esreboxetine free base, or a molar equivalent amount of a salt form of esreboxetine, such as about 4-6 mg, about 4-5 mg, or about 5.5 mg of esreboxetine succinate; about 30-50%, about 35-45%, or about 40% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose by weight; about 10-30%, about 15-25%, or about 20% microcrystalline cellulose by weight; about 0.1-5%, about 0.5-1%, or about 0.75% magnesium stearate by weight; and the film coating is about 1 -10%, about 4-6%, or about 5% of the weight of the dosage form or tablet.

[0048] In some embodiments, the dosage form contains esreboxetine free base, such as about 3-5 mg, about 3.5-4.5 mg, or about 4 mg of reboxetine free base, or a molar equivalent amount of a salt form of reboxetine, such as about 4-6 mg, about 4-5 mg, or about 5.5 mg of esreboxetine succinate; about 10-30%, about 15-25%, or about 20%PCT APPLICATION 134057-00001069_14T01 WO

[0049] microcrystalline cellulose by weight; about 0.05-2%, about 0.1 -0.2%, or about 0.16% silicon dioxide by weight; about 0.1-5%, about 0.5-1%, or about 0.75% magnesium stearate by weight; and the film coating is about 1-10%, about 4-6%, or about 5% of the weight of the dosage form or tablet.

[0050] In some embodiments, the composition comprises about 3% to about 6% esreboxetine by weight, or about 3-6%, about 3-3.5%, about 3.5-4%, about 4-4.5%, about 4.5-5%, about 5-5.5%, about 5.5-6%, about 3-4%, about 4-5%, about 5-6% esreboxetine free base by weight, or a molar equivalent amount of a salt form of esreboxetine.

[0051] Additional examples of suitable dosage form compositions are listed in Tables 1 and 2 below.

[0052] Table 1

[0053]

[0054] Table 2

[0055]

[0056] PCT APPLICATION 134057-00001069_14T01 WO

[0057] Some dosage forms may comprise a uniform blend of esreboxetine and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition comprises a uniform blend of esreboxetine and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. The excipient may be, for example, a diluent, a binder, a disintegrant, a glidant, a lubricant, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition or dosage form may comprise a uniform blend of esreboxetine, a diluent, a binder, and a disintegrant.

[0058] A uniform blend includes a blend where samples taken from the powder blender have substantially the same amount of reboxetine. In some embodiments:

[0059] when 1 sample is tested from each of 10 locations, such as 10 random locations, in the powder blender where blending occurs, the relative standard deviation (relative standard deviation = [(standard deviation) / (mean)] x 100%) of the content of reboxetine for the 10 samples, is 5% or less, 4% or less, or 3% or less; or

[0060] a) when 3 samples are tested from each of 10 locations, such as 10 random locations, in the powder blender where blending occurs, the relative standard deviation (relative standard deviation = [(standard deviation) / (mean)] x 100%) of the content of reboxetine for the 10 samples, is 7% or less, 6% or less, or 5% or less;

[0061] In some embodiments, when 10 units of a dosage form, such as 10 tablets, are tested, such as randomly tested, from a single batch, the relative standard deviation (relative standard deviation = [(standard deviation) / (mean)] x 100%) of the content of reboxetine for the 10 samples, is 5% or less, 4% or less, or 3% or less.

[0062] A composition described herein may be sterilized.

[0063] Unless otherwise indicated, any reference to a compound herein, such as reboxetine, by structure, name, or any other means, includes pharmaceutically acceptable salts; alternate solid forms, such as polymorphs, solvates, hydrates, etc.; tautomers; or any other chemical species that may rapidly convert to a compound described herein under conditions in which the compounds are used as described herein.PCT APPLICATION 134057-00001069_14T01 WO

[0064] Some dosage forms containing esreboxetine may contain unacceptable levels of nitroso impurities. (S)-2-((S)-(2-ethoxyphenoxy)(phenyl)methyl)-4-nitrosomorpholine below may be used to determine the quality of a pharmaceutical composition comprising esreboxetine. For example, a sample of a dosage form may be analyzed using a chromatographic method, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or gas chromatography (GC). A sample of (S)-2-((S)-(2-ethoxyphenoxy)(phenyl)methyl)-4-nitrosomorpholine may also be analyzed using a chromatographic method, such as HPLC or GC. This may be useful, for example, for determining the retention time of nitroso impurities, and for determining the sensitivity of the detector or a chromatographic instrument to a nitroso compound. Thus, one method may comprise comparing a chromatographic result obtained from the pharmaceutical composition to a chromatographic result obtained from (S)-2-((S)-(2-ethoxyphenoxy)(phenyl)methyl)-4-nitrosomorpholine.

[0065]

[0066] (S)-2-((S)-(2-ethoxyphenoxy)(phenyl)methyl)-4-nitrosomorpholine In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition or dosage form may contain less than 15 ppm of (S)-2-((S)-(2-ethoxyphenoxy)(phenyl)methyl)-4-nitrosomorpholine, such as less than 13 ppm, about 0.5-13 ppm, about 2-5 ppm, about 0.5-2 ppm, about 2-3 ppm, about 3-4 ppm, about 4-5 ppm, about 5-6 ppm, about 6-8 ppm, about 8-10 ppm, or about 10-13 ppm, of (S)-2-((S)-(2-ethoxyphenoxy)(phenyl)methyl)-4-nitrosomorpholine.

[0067] The terms “treating” or “treatment” broadly includes any kind of treatment activity, including the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, or prevention of disease in man or other animals, or any activity that otherwise affects the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals. In some embodiments, the mammal being treated is a human being. InPCT APPLICATION 134057-00001069_14T01 WO

[0068] some embodiments, the mammal being treated is a non-human mammal, such as a dog, a cat, a mouse, a rat, a rabbit, a monkey, a horse, a pig, etc.

[0069] Some embodiments include a method of treating fibromyalgia, comprising administering a dosage form or pharmaceutical composition described herein to a human being having fibromyalgia with a visual analog pain scale score of at least about 40 nm on a 100 nm scale.

[0070] Some embodiments include a method of treating fibromyalgia, comprising administering a dosage form or pharmaceutical composition described herein to a human being in need thereof, wherein a daily dose of about 2 mg to about 12 mg of esreboxetine is administered for at least one week, at least two weeks, at least three weeks, at least four weeks, at least 5 weeks, or at least 6 weeks, wherein the human being experiences a reduction in fibromyalgia pain during the course of the treatment, as measured by a visual analog scale (VAS) score, that is greater than the reduction in pain that the human being would have experienced by administering a placebo.

[0071] Some embodiments include a method of treating fibromyalgia, comprising administering a dosage form or pharmaceutical composition described herein to a human being in need thereof, wherein a daily dose of about 2 mg to about 12 mg of esreboxetine is administered for at least one week, at least two weeks, at least three weeks, at least four weeks, at least 5 weeks, or at least 6 weeks, wherein the human being experiences a reduction in pain during the course of the treatment, as measured by a visual analog scale (VAS) score, that is greater than the reduction in pain that the human being would have experienced by administering a placebo.

[0072] Some embodiments include a method of treating fibromyalgia, comprising administering a dosage form or pharmaceutical composition described herein to a human being in need thereof, wherein a daily dose of about 2 mg to about 12 mg of esreboxetine is administered for at least one week, at least two weeks, at least three weeks, at least four weeks, at least 5 weeks, or at least 6 weeks, wherein the human being experiences a reduction in pain during the course of the treatment, as measured by a visual analog scale (VAS) score, that is greater than the reduction in pain that the human being would have experienced by administering a placebo.PCT APPLICATION 134057-00001069_14T01 WO

[0073] A composition described herein may be used to treat a condition such as an arthritic disorder, including a pain disorder, nervous system disorder, including an addictive disorder (including those due to alcohol, nicotine, and other psychoactive substances), a withdrawal syndrome, an adjustment disorder (including depressed mood, anxiety, mixed anxiety and depressed mood, disturbance of conduct, and mixed disturbance of conduct and mood), depression (including major depressive disorder, alone or in combination with other antidepressants), an age-associated learning or mental disorder (including Alzheimer's disease), anorexia nervosa apathy, an attention-deficit (or another cognitive) disorder due to general medical conditions, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, bulimia nervosa, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic or acute stress, chronic pain, conduct disorder, cyclothymic disorder, depression (including adolescent depression and minor depression), dysthymic disorder, fibromyalgia and other somatoform disorders (including somatization disorder, conversion disorder, pain disorder, hypochondriaism, body dysmorphic disorder, undifferentiated somatoform disorder, and somatoform NOS), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), incontinence (i.e., stress incontinence, genuine stress incontinence, and mixed incontinence), stress urinary incontinence, an inhalation disorder, an intoxication disorders (alcohol addiction), mania, migraine headaches, obesity (e.g., reducing the weight of obese or overweight patients), an obsessive compulsive disorder or a related spectrum disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, panic disorder, peripheral neuropathy, post-traumatic stress disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (i.e., premenstrual syndrome and late luteal phase dysphoric disorder), a psychotic disorder (including schizophrenia, negative symptoms of schizophrenia, schizoaffective or schizophreniform disorder, either alone or as an adjuvant therapy), seasonal affective disorder, a sleep disorder (such as narcolepsy, including narcolepsy with cataplexy, or enuresis), social phobia (including social anxiety disorder), a specific developmental disorder, selective serotonin reuptake inhibition (SSRI) "poop out" syndrome (i.e., wherein a patient who fails to maintain a satisfactory response to SSRI therapy after an initial period of satisfactory response), TIC disorders (e.g., Tourette's Disease), post-shingles pain, painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, syncope, and / or vasovagal syncope, etc.PCT APPLICATION 134057-00001069_14T01 WO

[0074] Specific dosages maybe adjusted depending on conditions of disease, the age, body weight, general health conditions, sex, and diet of the subject, dose intervals, administration routes, excretion rate, and combinations of drugs.

[0075] In some embodiments, a human patient is treated with a dosage form or composition described herein, such as a dosage form of Table 1 or 2, e.g., containing about 3-5 or about 3.5 mg to about 4.5 mg of esreboxetine succinate, or a molar equivalent of another salt form, or a molar equivalent amount of the free base form (e.g., 4 mg of esreboxetine free base), e.g., once daily or twice daily, to treat fibromyalgia.

[0076] Non-Limiting Examples

[0077] Specifically Contemplated Embodiments

[0078] The following are examples of embodiments that are specifically contemplated by the inventor:

[0079] Embodiment 1. A dosage form comprising esreboxetine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, and less than 13 ppm of a compound represented by a formula:

[0080]

[0081] Embodiment 2. A dosage form comprising esreboxetine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein the esreboxetine and the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient are in a uniform blend. Embodiment 3. A dosage form comprising esreboxetine succinate and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, and less than 13 ppm of a compound represented by a formula:PCT APPLICATION 134057-00001069_14T01 WO

[0082]

[0083] Embodiment 4. A dosage form comprising esreboxetine succinate and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein the esreboxetine and the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient are in a uniform blend.

[0084] Embodiment 5. The dosage form of any preceding embodiment, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.

[0085] Embodiment 6. The dosage form of any preceding embodiment, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises directly compressible starch.

[0086] Embodiment 7. The dosage form of any preceding embodiment, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises microcrystalline cellulose.

[0087] Embodiment 8. The dosage form of any preceding embodiment, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises silicon dioxide.

[0088] Embodiment 9. The dosage form of any preceding embodiment, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises magnesium stearate.

[0089] Embodiment 10. The dosage form of any preceding embodiment, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises a film coating.

[0090] Embodiment 11. The dosage form of any preceding embodiment, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and directly compressible starch.

[0091] Embodiment 12. The dosage form of any preceding embodiment, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and microcrystalline cellulose.

[0092] Embodiment 13. The dosage form of any preceding embodiment, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises directly compressible starch and microcrystalline cellulose.PCT APPLICATION 134057-00001069_14T01 WO

[0093] Embodiment 14. The dosage form of any preceding embodiment, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, directly compressible starch and microcrystalline cellulose.

[0094] Embodiment 15. The dosage form of any preceding embodiment, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and magnesium stearate.

[0095] Embodiment 16. The dosage form of any preceding embodiment, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises microcrystalline cellulose and magnesium stearate.

[0096] Embodiment 17. The dosage form of any preceding embodiment, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose and magnesium stearate.

[0097] Embodiment 18. The dosage form of any preceding embodiment, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, directly compressible starch, microcrystalline cellulose and silicon dioxide.

[0098] Embodiment 19. The dosage form of any preceding embodiment, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, directly compressible starch, microcrystalline cellulose and magnesium stearate.

[0099] Embodiment 20. The dosage form of any preceding embodiment, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, directly compressible starch, microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide and magnesium stearate.

[0100] Embodiment 21. The dosage form of any preceding embodiment, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, directly compressible starch, microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate and a film coating.

[0101] Embodiment 22. The dosage form of any preceding embodiment, comprising about 3% to about 6% esreboxetine by weight.

[0102] Embodiment 23. The dosage form of any preceding embodiment, comprising about 5% to about 6% esreboxetine succinate by weight.PCT APPLICATION 134057-00001069_14T01 WO

[0103] Embodiment 24. The dosage form of any preceding embodiment, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises about 35% to about 45% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose by weight.

[0104] Embodiment 25. The dosage form of any preceding embodiment, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises about 30% to about 35% directly compressible starch by weight.

[0105] Embodiment 26. The dosage form of any preceding embodiment, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises about 15% to about 25% microcrystalline cellulose by weight.

[0106] Embodiment 27. The dosage form of any preceding embodiment, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises about 0.1% to about 0.2% silicon dioxide by weight.

[0107] Embodiment 28. The dosage form of any preceding embodiment, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises about 0.7% to about 0.8% magnesium stearate by weight.

[0108] Embodiment 29. The dosage form of any preceding embodiment, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises about 5% of the film coating by weight.

[0109] Embodiment 30. A compound represented by a formula:

[0110]

[0111] a.

[0112] Embodiment 31. A method of determining the quality of a pharmaceutical composition comprising esreboxetine, comprising comparing a chromatographic result obtained from the pharmaceutical composition to a chromatographic result obtained from the compound of embodiment 1.PCT APPLICATION 134057-00001069_14T01 WO

[0113] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the articles "a" and "an" are used to refer to one or to more than one (i.e. , to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. By way of example, "an element" means one element or more than one element.

[0114] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase "and / or," should be understood to mean "either or both" of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with "and / or" should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., "one or more" of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the "and / or" clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to "A and / or B", when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising" can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

[0115] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, "or" should be understood to have the same meaning as "and / or" as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or" or "and / or" shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as "only one of,” or "exactly one of," or, when used in the claims, "consisting of," will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term "or" as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e., "one or the other but not both") when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as "either," "one of," "only one of," or "exactly one of."

[0116] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as "comprising," "including," "carrying," "having," "containing," "involving," "holding," "composed of," and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.PCT APPLICATION 134057-00001069_14T01 WO

[0117] Wherever the phrase “for example,” “such as,” “including,” and the like are used herein, the phrase “and without limitation” is understood to follow unless explicitly stated otherwise. Similarly, “an example,” “exemplary,” and the like are understood to be nonlimiting.

Claims

PCT APPLICATION 134057-00001069_14T01 WOCLAIMS1. A dosage form comprising esreboxetine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, and less than 13 ppm of a compound represented by a formula:

2. A dosage form comprising esreboxetine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein the esreboxetine and the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient are in a uniform blend.

3. A dosage form comprising esreboxetine succinate and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, and less than 13 ppm of a compound represented by a formula:

4. A dosage form comprising esreboxetine succinate and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein the esreboxetine and the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient are in a uniform blend.

5. The dosage form of any preceding claim, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.

6. The dosage form of any preceding claim, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises directly compressible starch.PCT APPLICATION 134057-00001069_14T01 WO7. The dosage form of any preceding claim, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises microcrystalline cellulose.

8. The dosage form of any preceding claim, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises silicon dioxide.

9. The dosage form of any preceding claim, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises magnesium stearate.

10. The dosage form of any preceding claim, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises a film coating.

11. The dosage form of any preceding claim, comprising about 3% to about 6% esreboxetine by weight.

12. The dosage form of any preceding claim, comprising about 5% to about 6% esreboxetine succinate by weight.

13. The dosage form of any preceding claim, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises about 35% to about 45% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose by weight.

14. The dosage form of any preceding claim, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises about 30% to about 35% directly compressible starch by weight.

15. The dosage form of any preceding claim, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises about 15% to about 25% microcrystalline cellulose by weight.

16. The dosage form of any preceding claim, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises about 0.1 % to about 0.2% silicon dioxide by weight.

17. The dosage form of any preceding claim, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises about 0.7% to about 0.8% magnesium stearate by weight.

18. The dosage form of any preceding claim, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient comprises about 5% of the film coating by weight.

19. A compound represented by a formula:PCT APPLICATION 134057-00001069_14T01 WO20. A method of determining the quality of a pharmaceutical composition comprising esreboxetine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, comprising comparing a chromatographic result obtained from the pharmaceutical composition to a chromatographic result obtained from the compound of claim 1.

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