Bioadhesive complexes of polycarbophil and azole antifungal or antiprotozoal drugs

Abstract

Mucoadhesive antimicrobial complexes of polycarbophil, i.e. a cross-linked polyacrylic acid with bioadhesive properties, and an imidazole or triazole derivative with antifungal or antiprotozoal activity, in its basic form, for use in the topical treatment of mucosal affections. The complexes are obtainable by dissolving each of the two starting products in a common solvent, then joining together the two solutions in relative amounts such as to contain the same number of equivalents of the two starting products, evaporating the solvent and then drying and, if required, pulverizing and sieving the product so obtained. Particularly preferred are formulations in gel in propylene glycol comprising an econazole-polycarbophil or omoconazole-polycarbophil complex, with an excess of polycarbophil, together with pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and excipient substances, for use as sustained release antifungals for vaginal administration.