The Procter Gamble Company

Eugene R Cooper

Maurice E Loomans

Mahdi B Fawzi

Roger L Stone

Donald S Lucas

Richard R Wickett

A large group of lipophilic, pharmacologically active compounds can be effectively delivered across intact skin by applying them topically in a binary, penetration-enhancing vehicle containing (1) a C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 diol, diol ester, or diol ether and (2) a cell envelope-disordering compound. This vehicle provides surprising enhancement of skin penetration for the pharmacological active, compared to either component alone.

Penetrating topical pharmaceutical compositions

Improved topical pharmaceutical compositions containing a pharmaceutically-active agent and the penetration enhancing agent 1-dodecylazacycloheptan-2-one are disclosed. This agent is used at selected levels in combination with certain C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 diols or a 1-substituted azacycloalkyl-2-one. This composition provides marked transepidermal and percutaneous delivery of the selected pharmaceutically-active agent. A method of treating certain pathologies and conditions responsive to the selected active, systemically or locally, is also disclosed.

Penetrating topical pharmaceutical compositions containing

Topical pharmaceutical compositions containing a corticosteroid component and a penetration-enhancing vehicle are disclosed. The vehicle comprises a binary combination of a C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 diol and a 'cell-envelope disordering compound'. The vehicle provides marked transepidermal and percutaneous delivery of corticosteroids. A method of treating certain rheumatic and inflammatory conditions, systemically or locally, is also disclosed.

Topical pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically-active agent and a novel, penetration-enhancing vehicle or carrier are disclosed. The vehicle or carrier comprises a binary combination of N-(2-Hydroxyethyl) pyrrolidone and a 'cell-envelope disordering compound'. The compositions provide marked transepidermal and percutaneous delivery of the active selected. A method of treating certain pathologies and conditions responsive to the selected active, systemically or locally, is also disclosed.

At least part of an antimicrobial catheter for use in humans and lower animals comprises a permeable polymer. The polymer must be in contact with both the environment external to the catheter and with a liquid reservoir of antimicrobial agent flowing through the lumen of the catheter, said liquid reservoir comprising an aqueous solution containing at least a minimum lethal concentration of a straight-chain carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid salt having from 4 to 9 carbon atoms. In use, the antimicrobial agent diffuses from the liquid reservoir through the polymer and provides a zone of microbial inhibition around the external surface of the catheter. The invention thus prevents nosocomial infections resulting from the use of catheters by inhibiting microorganisms at and around the placement site of the catheter when the catheter is inserted into the body of a human or lower animal.

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Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Eugene R Cooper