Claims
- 1. A controlled release composition comprising a prostaglandin and a polymeric carrier therefor comprising residues which are cross-linked through urethane groups, or analogues thereof, and which comprise polyethylene oxide having a ratio of number average molecular weight to functionality greater than 1,500, the degree of cross-linking being such that there is at least one cross-linking point per ten residues comprising the said polyethylene oxide but such that the proportion of the said polyethylene oxide is greater than 50% by weight of the polymeric carrier which, when prostaglandin-free, is a hydrogel in the dry form at 20.degree. C., contains crystalline regions, and exhibits syneresis in the wet form.
- 2. A controlled release composition comprising a prostaglandin and a polymeric carrier therefor comprising residues which are cross-linked through urethane groups, or analogues thereof, and which comprise polyethylene oxide having a ratio of number average molecular weight to functionality greater than 1,500, the degree of cross-linking being such that there is at least one cross-linking point per ten residues comprising the said polyethylene oxide but such that the proportion of the said polyethylene oxide is greater than 50% by weight of the polymeric carrier which, in the presence of said prostaglandin, is a hydrogel in the dry form at 20.degree. C., contains crystalline regions, and exhibits syneresis in the wet form.
- 3. The controlled release composition of claim 1, further comprising an additional drug other than a prostaglandin.
- 4. The controlled release composition of claim 2, further comprising an additional drug other than a prostaglandin.
- 5. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the polyethylene oxide has a ratio of number average molecular weight to functionality greater than 2,000.
- 6. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the polyethylene oxide is the reaction product of a mixture comprising (i) an aliphatic or aromatic compound which is di-, tri- or tetra-substituted by at least one hydroxyl, carboxyl, amino or mercapto group with (ii) ethylene oxide.
- 7. The composition according to claim 6 wherein component (i) comprises a di- or tri-hydroxyl-substituted aliphatic compound.
- 8. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the degree of cross-linking of the polymeric carrier is such that there is at least one cross-linking point per five residues comprising the said polyethylene oxide.
- 9. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the degree of cross-linking of the polymeric carrier is such that there is at least one cross-linking point per residue comprising the said polyethylene oxide.
- 10. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the degree of cross-linking of the polymeric carrier is such that the proportion of the said polyethylene oxide is greater than 70% by weight of the polymeric carrier.
- 11. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the degree of cross-linking of the polymeric carrier is such that the proportion of the same polyethylene oxide is greater than 80% by weight of the polymeric carrier.
- 12. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric carrier comprises up to 20% by weight of an additional polyalkylene oxide.
- 13. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric carrier comprises up to 20% by weight of an additional polyethylene oxide having a ratio of number average molecular weight to functionality not greater than 1000.
- 14. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric carrier comprising up to 30% of its weight of a water-extractable fraction.
- 15. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the amount of water-extractable fraction has been reduced to no more than 5% of the polymeric carrier.
- 16. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the prostaglandin is a naturally-occurring prostaglandin of the E and F.sub..alpha. groups.
- 17. The composition according to claim 16, wherein the prostaglandin is PGE.sub.2 or PGF.sub.2.alpha..
- 18. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the prostaglandin is a synthetic analogue.
- 19. The composition according to claim 18, wherein the prostaglandin is 15-methyl-PGF.sub.2.alpha., 16,16-dimethyl-PGE.sub.2, 16,16-dimethyl-PGE.sub.2 parabenzaldehyde semicarbazone ester, 16-phenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranor-PGE.sub.2, 16,16-dimethyl-trans .DELTA..sup.2 -PGE.sub.1, its methyl ester or 16-(3-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-17,18,19,20-tetranor-PGF.sub.2.alpha..
- 20. The composition according to claim 1, in the shape of a cylinder, film or slab.
- 21. The composition according to claim 20, wherein the cylinder is hollow or the film or slab has at least one hole or hollow therein to modify the release properties.
- 22. The composition according to claim 1, for use as an abortifacient.
- 23. The composition according to claim 1, for use in the induction of labor.
- 24. The composition according to claim 1, for use as a contraceptive.
- 25. The composition according to claim 1 for use in the treatment of schizophrenia.
- 26. The composition according to claim 1, for use in the treatment of cervical imcompetence in livestock.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
7909853 |
Mar 1979 |
GBX |
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Parent Case Info
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 016,453, filed on Feb. 24, 1987, now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 815,780, filed on Jan. 3, 1986, now abandoned, which is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 724,949, filed Apr. 22, 1985, now abandoned, which is a continuation of abandoned application Ser. No. 212,734, filed Nov. 5, 1980.
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Number |
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Date |
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3822238 |
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Jul 1974 |
|
3975350 |
Hudgin et al. |
Aug 1976 |
|
4352790 |
Johansson et al. |
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|
Foreign Referenced Citations (3)
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Date |
Country |
2373279 |
Jul 1978 |
FRX |
1135966 |
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GBX |
1486288 |
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GBX |
Non-Patent Literature Citations (2)
Entry |
Graham et al., "Morphology of Poly(Ethylene Oxide) Based on Hydrogels in Relation to Controlled Drug Delivery", Unpublished Manuscript, 8/1987. |
Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology, vol. 15, John Wiley, New York, 1971, p. 289. |
Continuations (4)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
16453 |
Feb 1987 |
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Parent |
815780 |
Jan 1986 |
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Parent |
724949 |
Apr 1985 |
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Parent |
212734 |
Nov 1980 |
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