4',4''-substituted 3alpha-(diphenylmethoxy)tropane analogs for the treatment of adhd

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

0001The present application is based upon and claims priority from <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US43898103P" dnum-type="L"><text>U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos, 60/438,981, filed January 9,2003</text></patcit>, and <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US60451357P" dnum-type="L"><text>60/451,357, filed March 3, 2003</text></patcit>.

TECHNICAL FIELD

0002The present invention relates to the use of pharmaceutically active compounds consisting of 4',4"-substituted 3α-(diphenylmethoxy) tropane analogs for the preparation of a medicament for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and to the compounds for use in treating ADHD.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

0003The brain consists of a vast network of neurons that communicate with each other via chemical messengers. Each neuron generates neurochemicals or neurotransmitters which act at sites referred to as receptors on the cellular membranes of neurons. One group of neurotransmitters, referred to as the monoamine neurotransmitters, includes serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline. Monoamine neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft between neurons in order to stimulate post-synaptic receptor activity. The removal (or inactivation) of monoamine neurotransmitters occurs mainly by a reuptake mechanism into the pre-synaptic terminals. By inhibiting the reuptake, an enhancement of the physiological activity of monoamine transmitters occurs.

0004The serotonergic neural system of the brain has been shown to influence a variety of physiologic functions, and compounds having dopamine reuptake-inhibiting activity have been shown to have the ability to treat in mammals, including humans, a variety of disorders associated with this neural system, for example, eating disorders, depression, cocaine addiction, dementia of aging, memory dysfunction in aging, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

0005However, the use of dopamine transport inhibitors to treat such conditions frequently brings along with it a number of undesirable side effects. For example, benztropine (COGENTIN™) is a high affinity dopamine transport (DAT) inhibitor that increases dopamine activity in the brain. This material has been in continuous clinical use for over forty years. Benztropine's inhibition of the dopamine transporter is responsible for its clinical effectiveness for treating idiopathic Parkinson's disease, a clinical indication for which it is FDA approved. Unfortunately, the clinical usefulness of benztropine has been severely limited by its anticholinergic properties which result from benztropine's high affinity binding to M1 cholinergic receptors. Benztropine's anticholinergic side effects, as documented in the Physician's Desk Reference, include tachycardia, constipation, vomiting, confusion, disorientation, memory impairment and hallucinations.

0006The present invention provides the therapeutic benefits of dopamine transport inhibitors while demonstrating low affinity for M1 cholinergic receptors. The compounds described herein, therefore, retain benztropine's clinical utility for treating disorders associated with dopamine insufficiency in the brain while demonstrating reduced anticholinergic side effects due to limited M1 cholinergic binding.

0007<patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="US5792775A"><text>U.S. Patent 5,792,775, Newman, et al., issued August 11, 1998</text></patcit>, describes the family of 4',4"-substituted 3α-(diphenylmethoxy) tropane analogs utilized in the present invention and teaches their use for the treatment of cocaine addiction and for the diagnosis and/or monitoring (but not the treatment of) neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0008The present invention relates to the preparation of a medicament for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), wherein a compound is used having the formula <chemistry id="chem0001" num="0001"><img file="EP1624845B1_D0001.tif" /></chemistry> in which R is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, arylalkyl, aryloxyakyl, cinnamyl and acyl; and R¹ and R² are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxy, halogen, cyano, amino and nitro; with the proviso that if R is methyl, R¹ and R² are not both hydrogen. The invention also relates to the above compounds for use in treating ADHD.

0009A preferred compound of the formula given above is one in which R is methyl and R¹ and R² are both fluorine. Further, it is preferred that the compounds be administered to the patient at from about 0.05 to about 1000 mg per day (more preferably from about 0.1 to about 75 mg per day).

0010All percentages, proportions and ratios set forth herein are "by weight," unless otherwise specified.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

0011The compounds used in the present invention are described in <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="US5792775A"><text>U.S. Patent 5,792,775, Newman, et al., issued August 11, 1998</text></patcit>, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts of those compounds. The method of making those compounds is also described in the Newman, et al. patent. These referenced 4',4"-substituted 3α-(diphenylmethoxy) tropane analogs demonstrate high affinity for the dopamine transporter and inhibit dopamine uptake, while also exhibiting relatively limited M1 cholinergic binding. The preferred compound for use in the present invention is N-allyl-4',4"-difluoro-3α-diphenyl-methoxytropane.

0012The present invention relates to uses of treating ADHD using compounds having the following formula: <chemistry id="chem0002" num="0002"><img file="EP1624845B1_D0002.tif" /></chemistry>

0013In Formula I, R is a functional group including, but not limited to, hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, arylalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, cinnamyl and acyl. In Formula I, R¹ and R² are independently selected and are functional groups including, but not limited to, hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxy, halogen, cyano, amino and nitro. In these compounds, when R is methyl, R¹ and R² cannot both be hydrogen.

0014The term "independently selected" is used herein to indicate that the R¹ and R² groups can be identical or different (e.g., R¹ and R² may both be methoxy, or R¹ may be methoxy and R² may be halogen).

0015The term "alkyl" is used herein to refer to a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, monovalent hydrocarbon radical containing from 1-8 carbons, cycloalkyls (3-7 carbons), cycloalkyl methyls (3-8 carbons) and arylalkyls. Suitable alkyl radicals include, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, 2-propenyl (or allyl), n-butyl, t-butyl, i-butyl (or 2-methylpropyl), cyclopropylmethyl, i-amyl, n-amyl, hexyl, etc. As used herein, the term "alkyl" encompasses "substituted alkyl." The term "substituted alkyl" refers to alkyls as just described above including one or more functional groups such as lower alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, acyl, halogen (i.e., haloalkyls, e.g., CF₃), hydroxyl, amino, acylamino, acyloxy, alkoxyl, mercapto, and the like. These groups may be attached to any carbon atom in the alkyl moiety.

0016The term "alkoxy" is used herein to refer to the-OR group, where R is a lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, aralkyl, or substituted aralkyl. Suitable alkoxy radicals include, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, phenoxy, t-butoxy, etc.

0017The term "aryl" refers to an aromatic substituent which may be a single ring or multiple rings which are fused together, linked covalently, or linked to a common group such as an ethylene or methylene moiety. The aromatic ring(s) may include phenyl, naphthyl, biphenyl, biphenylmethyl, 2,2-diphenyl-1-ethyl, and may contain a heteroatom, such as thienyl, pyridyl and quinoxalyl. The aryl group may also be substituted with halogen atoms or other groups, such as nitro, carboxy, alkoxy, phenoxy, and the like. Additionally, the aryl group may be attached to other moieties at any position on the aryl radical which would otherwise be occupied by a hydrogen atom (such as 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, and 4-pyridyl). As such, the terms "aralkyl" and "aryloxyalkyl" refer to an aryl radical attached directly to an alkyl group (e.g., 3(2-pyridyl)propyl)) or an oxygen which is attached to an alkyl group, respectively.

0018The term "cinnamyl" is used herein to refer to the 3-phenyl-2-propenyl radical (i.e., Ph.CH:CH.CH₂-). The phenyl group may be substituted with halogen atoms or other groups (e.g., nitro, hydroxy, amino, etc.).

0019The term "acyl" is used herein to refer to the group -C(O)R, where R is hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, or substituted aryl, as defined above.

0020The term "cyano" is used herein to refer to the group -CN.

0021The term "halogen" is used herein to refer to fluorine, bromine, chlorine, and iodine atoms.

0022The term "hydroxyl" is used herein to refer to the group -OH.

0023The term "nitro" is used herein to refer to the group -NO₂.

0024The term "amino" is used herein to refer to the group -NRR', where R and R' may independently be hydrogen, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl or acyl.

0025Within the scope of Formula I, certain embodiments are preferred, namely those in which R is methyl; R¹ is methoxy; and R² is selected from H and methoxy. Also preferred are compounds in which R is methyl; R¹ is nitro; and R² is H. Also preferred are compounds in which R is methyl; R¹ is cyano; and R² is H. Also preferred are compounds in which R is methyl; R¹ is Br; and R² is selected from H, Br, Cl and F. Also preferred are compounds in which R is methyl; R¹ is F; and R² is selected from H, Br, F and Cl. Also preferred are compounds in which R is methyl; R¹ is an alkyl selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, pentyl and hexyl; and R² is selected from H and alkyl. Also preferred are compounds in which R is methyl; R¹ is hydroxy; and R² is selected from H, hydroxy, Br, Cl or F. Also preferred are compounds in which R is alkyl; and R¹ and R² are independently selected from Br, Cl, F and I. Also preferred are compounds in which R is n-cinnamyl; and R¹ and R² are independently selected from Br, Cl, F and I. Also preferred are compounds in which R is arylalkyl; and R¹ and R² are independently selected from Br, Cl, F and I. Particularly preferred are compounds in which R is methyl and both R¹ and R² are fluorine atoms.

0026The compounds of Formula I can be prepared using the synthetic scheme set forth in the <patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="US5792775A"><text>Newman, et al. patent (U.S. Patent 5,792,775</text></patcit>). Briefly, 4',4"-substituted benzhydrols are converted to benzhydrochlorides in refluxing thionyl chloride. Benzhydrochlorides are then added, neat or in a minimal volume of anhydrous diethyl ether, to tropine at 160°C, to form 4' or 4',4"-substituted 3α-(diphenylmethoky) tropane analog 3α-(diphenylmethoxy) tropane analogs of the present invention. This second step, i.e., the melt reaction, can be carried out rapidly and without the use, or alternatively with the minimal use, of solvent.

0027The compounds described above are administered to a patient having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This condition is known to be tied in with the dopamine receptors. The compounds of the present invention not only treat this condition, but also, because of their decreased affinity for the M1 receptor, are accompanied by minimized anticholinergic side effects. The connection between the disease treated in the present invention and the dopamine receptors are discussed in, for example, the following references:

0028<u>Alcohol Addiction</u><ul id="ul0001" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li><nplcit id="ncit0001" npl-type="s"><text>Eiler 2nd, et al. D1 dopamine receptor regulates alcolzol-motivated behaviors in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in alcohol-preferring (P) rats. Synapse. 2003 Apr;489(1):45-56</text></nplcit>.</li><li><nplcit id="ncit0002" npl-type="s"><text>Tupala, et al. Dopamine receptors and transporters in the brain reward circuits of type 1 and 2 alcoholics measured with human whole hemisphere radiography. Neuroimage. 2003 May;19(1):145-55</text></nplcit>.</li></ul>

0029<u>Nicotine Addiction</u><ul id="ul0002" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li><nplcit id="ncit0003" npl-type="s"><text>Bahk et al. Dopamine D1 and D2 receptor mRNA up-regulation in the caudate-patamen and nucleus accumbens of rat brains by smoking. Prog Neuropsycholpharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2002 Oct;26(6):1095-104</text></nplcit>.</li><li><nplcit id="ncit0004" npl-type="s"><text>Geracioti, et al. Low CSF concentrations of a dopamine metabolite in tobacco smokers. Am J. Psychiatry. 1999 Jan;156(1):130-2</text></nplcit>.</li></ul>

0030<u>Drug Addiction</u><ul id="ul0003" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li><nplcit id="ncit0005" npl-type="s"><text>Campiani, et al. Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of potent and highly selective D3 receptor ligands: inhibition of cocaine-seeking behavior and the role of dopamine D3/D2 receptors. J Med Chem. 2003 Aug 28;46(18):3822-39</text></nplcit>.</li><li><nplcit id="ncit0006" npl-type="s"><text>Chartoff, et al. Dopamine-dependent increases in phosphorylation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) during precipitated morphine withdrawal in primary cultures of rat striatum. J Neurochem. 2003 Oct;38(1):107-18</text></nplcit>.</li><li><nplcit id="ncit0007" npl-type="s"><text>O'Shea, et al. Is frequent dosing with ecstasy a risky business of dopamine-containing neurons? Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2003 Jun;24(6):272-4</text></nplcit>.</li></ul>

0031<u>Sexual Dysfunction (F/M Orgasmic Disorder, F/M Sexual Arousal Disorders, Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder)</u><ul id="ul0004" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li><nplcit id="ncit0008" npl-type="s"><text>Earle et al. Biochemical screening in the assessment of erectile dysfunction: what tests decide future therapy? Urology. 2003 Oct;62(4):727-31</text></nplcit>.</li><li><nplcit id="ncit0009" npl-type="s"><text>Giuliano, et al. Dopamine and male sexual function. Eur Urol. 2001 Dec;40(6):601-8</text></nplcit>. Review.</li></ul>

0032<u>Sleep Disorders (Narcolepsy/Cataplexy)</u><ul id="ul0005" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li><nplcit id="ncit0010" npl-type="s"><text>Wisor et al. Dopaminergic role in stimulant-induced wakefulness. J Neurosci. 2001 Mar 1;21(5):1787-94</text></nplcit>.</li><li><nplcit id="ncit0011" npl-type="s"><text>Honda, et al. Dopamine D3 agonists into the substantia nigra aggravate cataplexy but do not modify sleep. Neuroreport. 1999 Nov 26;10(17):3713-24</text></nplcit>.</li></ul>

0033<u>Parkinsonism including Parkinson's Disease</u><ul id="ul0006" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li><nplcit id="ncit0012" npl-type="s"><text>Moore. Organization of midbrain dopamine systems and the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2003 Aug;9 Suppl 2:S65-71</text></nplcit>. Review.</li><li><nplcit id="ncit0013" npl-type="s"><text>Stocchi, et al. Dual dopamine agonist treatment in Parkinson's disease. J Neurol. 2003 Jul;250(7):822-6</text></nplcit>.</li></ul>

0034<u>ADHD/Conduct Disorders</u><ul id="ul0007" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>— <nplcit id="ncit0014" npl-type="s"><text>Young, et al. Dopamine transporter polymorphism associated with externalizing behavior problems in children. Am J Med Genet. 2002 Mar 8;114(2):144-9</text></nplcit>.</li><li>— <nplcit id="ncit0015" npl-type="s"><text>Seeman, et al. Methylphenidate elevates resting dopamine which lowers the impulse-triggered release of dopamine: a hypothesis. Behav Brain Res. 2002 Mar 10;130(1-2):79-83</text></nplcit>.</li><li>— <nplcit id="ncit0016" npl-type="s"><text>Solanto. Dopamine dysfunction in AD/HD: integrating clinical and basic neuroscience research. Behav Brain Res. 2002 Mar 10;130(1-2):65-71</text></nplcit>. Review</li><li>-<nplcit id="ncit0017" npl-type="s"><text>Swanson et al. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of stimulants: implications for the design of new treatments for ADHD. Behav Brain Res. 2002 Mar 10;130(1-2):73-8</text></nplcit>. Review.</li></ul>

0035<u>Depression/Anxiety/Stress Disorders</u><ul id="ul0008" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li><nplcit id="ncit0018" npl-type="s"><text>Wall, et al. Infralimbic D2 receptor influences on anxiety-like behavior and active memory/attention in CD-1 mice. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2003 May;27(3):395-410</text></nplcit>.</li><li><nplcit id="ncit0019" npl-type="s"><text>Laasko, et al. Personality traits and striatal dopamine synthesis capacity in healthy subjects. Am J Psychiatry. 2003 May;160(5):904-10</text></nplcit>.</li><li><nplcit id="ncit0020" npl-type="s"><text>Lawford, et al. D2 dopamine receptor gene polymorphism: par-oxetine and social functioning in posttraumatic stress disorder. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2003 Oct;13(5):313-20</text></nplcit>.</li><li><nplcit id="ncit0021" npl-type="s"><text>Buller, et al. Systemic apomorphine alters HPA axis responses to interleukin-1 beta administration but not sound stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2003 Aug;28(6):715-32</text></nplcit>.</li><li><nplcit id="ncit0022" npl-type="s"><text>Brunswick, et al. Greater availability of brain dopamine transporters in major depression shown by [99m Tc]TRODAT-1 SPECT imaging. Am J Psychiatry. 2003 Oct;160(10):1836-41</text></nplcit>.</li><li><nplcit id="ncit0023" npl-type="s"><text>Kondo, et al. Combination of dopamine D2 receptor gene polymorphisms as a possible predictor of treatment-resistance to dopamine antagonists in schizophrenic patients. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2003 Sep;27(6):921-6</text></nplcit>.</li></ul>

0036The compounds used in the present invention may be administered by any conventional route, such as orally, transdermally, subcutaneously, parenterally, intramuscularly, intravenously, intraperitoneally, or via inhalation. Oral, parenteral and subcutaneous administration are preferred. The compounds used in the present invention may be administered alone or in combination with other therapies conventionally known for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

0037The active compounds are administered to a patient in a "safe and effective amount," i.e., an amount which provides the desired clinical benefit based on size, weight, age, physical and mental condition of the patient, and severity of the condition being treated, while minimizing any undesirable side effects. The precise dosages 1 be administered will be determined based on the judgment of the treating physician. Typical dosages for administration of the active compounds are from about 0.05 to about 1000 milligrams (mg) per day, more preferably from about 0.1 to about 100 mg per day, more preferably from about 0.1 to about 75 mg/day, more preferably from about 0.1 to about 50 mg/day, most preferably from about 5 to about 10 mg/day. The desired dosage may be administered in one, two or three subdoses at suitable times during the day. The subdoses may consist of 0.05 to 1000 mg per subdose, preferably 0.1 to 100 mg per subdose, most preferably 0.5 to 10 mg per subdose. The desired dosage will depend on the particular compound to be utilized, the disease to be treated, the severity of the disease, the route of administration, the weight and health of the patient, and the judgment of the treating physician. The active compound may be administered in a timed or delayed release dosage form thereby allowing treatment over an extended period of time.

0038For oral administration, conventional solid carriers for the active compound may be employed, such as pharmaceutical grades of cellulose, glucose, lactose, mannitol, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharin, sucrose, talcum or similar solid carriers. A pharmaceutically acceptable dosage for oral administration may be manufactured incorporating any customary nontoxic pharmaceutical excipient, such as those excipients described above, and generally about 5% to about 95% of the active compound, more preferably about 25% to 75% of the active compound.

0039The compounds described herein, together with a conventional pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, carrier or diluent, may thus be placed into the form of a pharmaceutical composition and unit dosages thereof, and in such form may be employed as solids, such as tablets or filled capsules, or liquids, such as solution, suspensions, emulsions, elixirs or capsules filled with the same, all for oral use; in the form of suppositories for rectal administration; or in the form of sterile injectable solutions for parenteral (including subcutaneous) use. Such pharmaceutical compositions and unit dosage forms thereof may comprise conventional ingredients in conventional proportions, with or without additional active compounds or principles, and such unit dosage forms may contain any suitable effective amount of the active ingredient commensurate with the intended daily dosage range to be employed.

0040The compounds described herein can be administered in a wide variety of oral and parenteral dosage forms. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the following dosage forms may comprise, as the active component, either a compound described herein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of such a compound.

0041For preparing pharmaceutical compositions of the compounds described herein, pharmaceutically acceptable carriers can be either solid or liquid. Solid form preparations include powders, tablets, pills, capsules, cachets, suppositories, and dispersible granules. A solid carrier can be one or more substances which may also act as diluents, flavoring agents, solubilizers, lubricants, suspending agents, binders, preservatives, tablet disintegrating agents, or an encapsulating material.

0042In powders, the carrier is a finely divided solid admixed with the finely divided active component.

0043In tablets, the active component is mixed with the carrier having the necessary binding capacity in suitable proportions and compacted in the shape and size desired.

0044The powders and tablets typically contain from about 5 or 10% to about 70 of the active compound. Suitable carriers include, for example, magnesium carbonate, magnesium stearate, talc, sugar, lactose, pectin, dextrin, starch, gelatin, tragacanth, methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, low melting wax, cocoa butter, and the like. The description herein is intended to include the formulation of the active compound with an encapsulating material as carrier providing a capsule in which the active compound, with or without additional carriers, is surrounded by the encapsulating material, which is thus in association with it. Similarly, cachets and lozenges are included. Tablets, powders, capsules, pills, cachets, and lozenges can be used as solid forms suitable for oral administration.

0045For preparing suppositories, a low melting wax, such as an admixture of fatty acid glycerides or cocoa butter, is first melted and the active material is dispersed homogeneously therein, as by stirring. The molten homogeneous mixture is then poured into convenient sized molds, allowed to cool, and thereby to solidify.

0046Formulations suitable for vaginal administration may be presented as pessaries, tampons, creams, gels, pastes, foams or sprays containing, in addition to the active ingredient, such carriers as are known in the art to be appropriate.

0047Liquid form preparations include solutions, suspensions, and emulsions, for example, water or water-propylene glycol solutions. Parenteral injection liquid preparations can be formulated as solutions in, for example, aqueous polyethylene glycol solution.

0048The compounds described above may be formulated for parenteral administration (e.g., by injection, for example, bolus injection or continuous infusion) and may be presented in unit dosage form in ampoules, pre-filled syringes, small volume infusion or in multi-dose containers with an added preservative. The compositions may take such forms as suspensions, solutions, or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and may contain formulatory agents such as suspending, stabilizing and/or dispersing agents. Alternatively, the active ingredient may be in powder form, obtained by aseptic isolation of sterile solid or by lyophilization from solution, for constitution with a suitable vehicle, e.g., sterile, pyrogen-free water, before use.

0049Aqueous solutions suitable for oral use can be prepared by dissolving the active compound in water and adding suitable colorants, flavors, preservatives, stabilizing and/or thickening agents, as desired.

0050Aqueous suspensions suitable for oral use can be made by dispersing the finely divided active component in water with viscous material, such as natural or synthetic gums, resins, methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, or other well-known suspending agents.

0051Also included within the scope of this invention are solid form preparations which are intended to be converted, shortly before use, to liquid form preparations for oral administration. Such liquid forms include solutions, suspensions, and emulsions. These preparations may contain, in addition to the active component, colorants, flavors, stabilizers, buffers, artificial and natural sweeteners, dispersants, thickeners, solubilizing agents, and the like.

0052For topical administration to the epidermis, the compounds described above may be formulated as ointments, creams or lotions, or as a transdermal patch. Ointments and creams may, for example, be formulated with an aqueous or oily base with the addition of suitable thickening and/or gelling agents. Lotions may be formulated with an aqueous or oil base and will in general also contain one or more art-known emulsifying agents, stabilizing agents, dispersing agents, suspending agents, thickening agents, or coloring agents.

0053Formulations suitable for topical administration in the mouth include lozenges comprising active component in a flavored base, usually sucrose and acacia or tragacanth; pastilles, comprising the active component in an inert base such as gelatin or glycerin; and mouthwashes comprising the active component in a suitable liquid carrier.

0054Solutions or suspensions are applied directly to the nasal cavity by conventional means, for example, with a dropper, pipette or spray. The formulations may be provided in single or multidose form. In the case of a dropper or pipette, this may be achieved by the patient administering an appropriate, predetermined volume of the solution or suspension. In the case of a spray, the active component may be administered, for example, by means of a metering atomizing spray pump.

0055Administration to the respiratory tract may also be achieved by means of an aerosol formulation in which the active component is provided in a pressurized pack with a suitable propellant, such as a chlorofluorocarbon, for example, dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, or dichlorotetrafluoroethane, carbon dioxide, or other suitable gas. The aerosol may conveniently also contain a surfactant, such as lecithin. The dosage of drug may be controlled by provision of a metered valve.

0056Alternatively, for nasal administration, the active ingredient may be provided in the form of a dry powder, for example, a powder mix of the therapeutic compound in a suitable powder base, such as lactose, starch, starch derivatives such as hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Conveniently, the powder carrier will form a gel in the nasal cavity. The powder composition may be presented in unit dosage form, for example, in capsules or cartridges of, e.g., gelatin, or blister packs from which the powder may be administered by means of an inhaler.

0057In formulations intended for administration to the respiratory tract, including intranasal formulations, the compound will generally have a small particle size, for example of the order of 5 microns or less. Such a particle size may be obtained by means known in the art, for example by micronization.

0058When desired, formulations adapted to give sustained release, timed release or delayed release of the active component may be employed.

0059The pharmaceutical preparations are preferably in unit dosage forms. In such form, the preparation is subdivided into unit doses containing appropriate quantities of the active component. The unit dosage form can be packaged, the package containing discrete quantities of preparation, such as a packeted tablet, capsule or powders in a vial or ampoule. Also, the unit dosage form can be a capsule, tablet, cachet, or lozenge itself, or it can be the appropriate number of any of these in packaged form.

0060Tablets or capsules for oral administration and liquids for intravenous administration are preferred pharmaceutical compositions for use in the method of the present invention.