Claims
- 1. A method of treating or preventing rosacea and the symptoms associated therewith, comprising topically administering to the skin of a patient in need of such treatment or prevention a composition comprising:
a therapeutically effective amount of at least one of an α2 adrenergic receptor agonist and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
- 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the at least one of an α2 adrenergic receptor agonist and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is selected from the group consisting of the compounds shown below:
- 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the compounds are selected from the group consisting of brimonidine, naphazoline, tetrahydrozaline, oxymetazoline, xylometazoline, epinephrine, nerepinephrine, phenylephrine, and methoxamine.
- 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of an α2 adrenergic receptor agonist and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is a reversible α2 adrenergic receptor agonist or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
- 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of an α2 adrenergic receptor agonist and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administered in an amount sufficient to decrease blood flow through the small arteries or arterioles of the skin of the patient.
- 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is selected from the group consisting of sprays, mists, aerosols, solutions, lotions, gels, creams, ointments, pastes, unguents, emulsions, and suspensions.
- 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the composition acts locally in the skin of the patient.
- 8. A topical composition suitable for treating or preventing the symptoms of rosacea comprising:
at least one of an α2 adrenergic receptor agonist and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
- 9. The topical composition according to claim 8, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is selected from the group consisting of sprays, mists, aerosols, solutions, lotions, gels, creams, ointments, pastes, unguents, emulsions, and suspensions.
- 10. The topical composition according to claim 8, wherein the at least one of an α2 adrenergic receptor agonist and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is selected from the group consisting of the compounds shown below:
- 11. The topical composition according to claim 8, wherein the at least one of an α2 adrenergic receptor agonist and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is selected from the group consisting of brimonidine, naphazoline, tetrahydrozoline, oxymetazoline, xylometazoline, epinephrine, norepinephrine, phenylephrine, and methoxamine.
- 12. The topical composition according to claim 8, wherein the at least one of an α2 adrenergic receptor agonist and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is present in an amount in the range of about 0.01 to 5 weight percent.
- 13. The topical composition according to claim 8, wherein the pH value of the composition is in the range of about 5 to 8.
- 14. The topical composition according to claim 9, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is an aqueous gel comprising water, and a water-gelling amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable gelling agent selected from the group consisting of carbomers, glycerine polyacrylate, and mixtures thereof, the topical composition having a physiologically acceptable pH.
- 15. The topical composition according to claim 14, wherein the at least one of an α2 adrenergic receptor agonist and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is present in an amount in the range of about 0.01 to 5 weight percent.
- 16. The topical composition according to claim 14, wherein the pH value of the composition is in the range of about 5 to 8.
- 17. The topical composition according to claim 14, further comprising a preservative.
- 18. The topical composition according to claim 14, further comprising a local anesthetic.
- 19. The topical composition according to claim 14, further comprising a skin humectant.
- 20. A package for a topical composition suitable for treating or preventing the symptoms of rosacea comprising at least one of an α2 adrenergic receptor agonist and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, comprising a container and instructions for use of the topical composition.
- 21. The topical composition according to claim 9, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is at least one of a cream and an ointment comprising stearic acid, stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, glycerin, and water, the topical composition having a physiologically acceptable pH.
- 22. The topical composition according to claim 21, wherein the at least one of an α2 adrenergic receptor agonist and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is present in an amount in the range of about 0.01 to 5 weight percent.
- 23. The topical composition according to claim 21, wherein the pH value of the composition in the range of about 5 to 8.
- 24. The topical composition according to claim 21, further comprising a preservative.
- 25. The topical composition according to claim 21, further comprising a local anesthetic.
- 26. The topical composition according to claim 21, further comprising a skin humectant.
- 27. The topical composition according to claim 8, wherein the at least one of an α2 adrenergic receptor agonist and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is provided in a concentration sufficient to decrease blood flow through the small arteries or arterioles of the skin of the patient to which it is applied.
- 28. The topical composition according to claim 8, wherein the composition acts locally in the skin of the patient.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/473,611, filed on May 27, 2003.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60473611 |
May 2003 |
US |