Pharmaceutical compositions based on anticholinergic and dopamine agonists

Abstract

The present invention relates to novel pharmaceutical compositions based on anticholinergics and dopamine agonists, processes for preparing them and their use in the treatment of respiratory tract diseases.

Description

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to novel pharmaceutical compositions based on anticholinergics and dopamine agonists, processes for preparing them and their use in the treatment of respiratory diseases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] FIG. 1 shows a preferred inhaler that may be used to deliver a pharmaceutical combination according to the present invention.

[0004] FIGS. 2 a and 2b show a nebulizer that can be used to inhale aqueous aerosol preparations according to the present invention. FIG. 2a shows a longitudinal section through the nebulizer with the spring biased, whereas FIG. 2b shows a longitudinal section through the nebulizer with the spring relaxed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to novel pharmaceutical compositions based on anticholinergics and dopamine agonists, processes for preparing them and their use in the treatment of respiratory diseases.

[0006] Surprisingly, an unexpectedly beneficial therapeutic effect, particularly a synergistic effect can be observed in the treatment of inflammatory or obstructive diseases of the respiratory tract if one or more, preferably one, anticholinergic is used with one or more, preferably one, dopamine agonist. In view of this synergistic effect the pharmaceutical combinations according to the invention can be used in smaller doses than would be the case with the individual compounds used in monotherapy in the usual way. This reduces unwanted side effects such as may occur when dopamine agonists are administered, for example.

[0007] The effects mentioned above may be observed both when the two active substances are administered simultaneously in a single active substance formulation and when they are administered successively in separate formulations. According to the invention, it is preferable to administer the two active substance ingredients simultaneously in a single formulation.

[0008] Within the scope of the present invention the term anticholinergics 1 denotes salts which are preferably selected from among tiotropium salts, oxitropium salts and ipratropium salts, most preferably ipratropium salts and tiotropium salts. In the above-mentioned salts the cations tiotropium, oxitropium and ipratropium are the pharmacologically active ingredients. Within the scope of the present patent application, any reference to the above cations is indicated by the use of the number 1′. Any reference to compounds 1 naturally also includes a reference to the ingredients 1′ (tiotropium, oxitropium or ipratropium).

[0009] By the salts 1 which may be used within the scope of the present invention are meant the compounds which contain, in addition to tiotropium, oxitropium or ipratropium as counter-ion (anion), chloride, bromide, iodide, methanesulphonate or para-toluenesulphonate. Within the scope of the present invention, the methanesulphonate, chloride, bromide and iodide are preferred of all the salts 1, the methanesulphonate and bromide being of particular importance. Of outstanding importance according to the invention are salts 1 selected from among tiotropium bromide, oxitropium bromide and ipratropium bromide. Ipratropium bromide and tiotropium bromide are particularly preferred.

[0010] Within the scope of the present invention, the word dopamine agonists (hereinafter 2) denotes compounds selected from among bromocriptin, cabergolin, alpha-dihydroergocryptin, lisuride, pergolide, pramipexol, roxindol, ropinirol, talipexol, terguride and the 7-(2-aminoethyl)-benzothiazolones of general formula 3 1

[0011] wherein

[0012] X and Y which may be identical or different denote —S(O)n— or —O—;

[0013] n denotes 0, 1 or 2;

[0014] p, q and r which may be identical or different denote 2 or 3;

[0015] z denotes phenyl, which may optionally be substituted by a group selected from among

[0016] halogen, —OR1, NO2 or NR2R3, or

[0017] a 5- or 6-membered heterocycle containing N, O or S;

[0018] R1, R2 and R3 which may be identical or different denote hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl.

[0019] The abovementioned compounds of formula 3 are disclosed in WO 93/24473, to which reference is hereby made in its entirety.

[0020] Preferably, within the scope of the present invention, the dopamine agonists 2 are selected from among bromocriptin, cabergolin, alpha-dihydroergocryptin, lisuride, pergolide, pramipexol, roxindol, ropinirol, talipexol, terguride and the compound of formula 3′ 2

[0021] The abovementioned compound of formula 3′ is also disclosed in WO 93/24473 and is hereinafter also referred to as viozan.

[0022] Preferably, the dopamine agonist 2 is selected from among pramipexol, talipexol and viozan, of which pramipexol and viozan, especially viozan, are of particular importance.

[0023] Other preferred dopamine agonists 2 in the pharmaceutical combinations according to the invention are those which do not overcome the blood-brain barrier and are primarily characterised by a peripheral activity. Particularly preferred are peripherally active dopamine agonists 2 selected from among dopamine, fenoldopam, dopexamine, CHF 1035, tolnaperisine and RU-40021, of which dopamine, fenoldopam, dopexamine and CHF 1035, especially dopamine, fenoldopam and dopexamine are of exceptional importance.

[0024] Any reference to the abovementioned dopamine agonists 2 within the scope of the present invention includes a reference to any pharmacologically acceptable acid addition salts thereof which may exist.

[0025] By the physiologically acceptable acid addition salts which may be formed from 2 are meant, for example, pharmaceutically acceptable salts selected from the salts of hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, methanesulphonic acid, acetic acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid or maleic acid.

[0026] The pharmaceutical combinations of 1 and 2 according to the invention are preferably administered by inhalation. Suitable inhalable powders packed into suitable capsules (inhalettes) may be administered using suitable powder inhalers. Alternatively, the drug may be inhaled by the application of suitable inhalation aerosols. These also include inhalation aerosols which contain HFAI34a, HFA227 or a mixture thereof as propellant gas. The drug may also be inhaled using suitable solutions of the pharmaceutical combination consisting of 1 and 2.

[0027] In one aspect, therefore, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition which contains a combination of 1 and 2.

[0028] In another aspect the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition which contains one or more salts 1 and one or more compounds 2, optionally in the form of their solvates or hydrates. Again, the active substances may be combined in a single preparation or contained in two separate formulations. Pharmaceutical compositions which contain the active substances 1 and 2 in a single preparation are preferred according to the invention.

[0029] In another aspect the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition which contains, in addition to therapeutically effective quantities of 1 and 2, a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. In another aspect the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition which does not contain any pharmaceutically acceptable excipient in addition to therapeutically effective quantities of 1 and 2.

[0030] The present invention also relates to the use of 1 and 2 for preparing a pharmaceutical composition containing therapeutically effective quantities of 1 and 2 for treating inflammatory or obstructive diseases of the respiratory tract, particularly asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), and the complications thereof such as, for example, pulmonary hypertension, as well as allergic and non-allergic rhinitis, provided that treatment with dopamine agonists is not contraindicated for therapeutic reasons, by simultaneous or successive administration. The pharmaceutical combinations of 1 and 2 according to the invention may also be used to prepare a drug for treating cystic fibrosis by simultaneous or successive administration of 1 and 2.

[0031] The present invention further relates to the simultaneous or successive use of therapeutically effective doses of the combination of the above pharmaceutical compositions 1 and 2 for treating inflammatory or obstructive respiratory tract diseases, particularly asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), and the complications thereof such as, for example, pulmonary hypertension, as well as allergic and non-allergic rhinitis, provided that treatment with dopamine agonists is not contraindicated for therapeutic reasons, by simultaneous or successive administration. The present invention also relates to the use of therapeutically effective doses of the combination of the above pharmaceutical compositions 1 and 2 for treating cystic fibrosis by the simultaneous or successive administration of 1 and 2.

[0032] In the active substance combinations of 1 and 2 according to the invention, ingredients 1 and 2 may be present in the form of their enantiomers, mixtures of enantiomers or in the form of racemates.

[0033] The proportions in which the two active substances 1 and 2 may be used in the active substance combinations according to the invention are variable. Active substances 1 and 2 may possibly be present in the form of their solvates or hydrates. Depending on the choice of the compounds 1 and 2, the weight ratios which may be used within the scope of the present invention vary on the basis of the different molecular weights of the various compounds and their different potencies. As a rule, the pharmaceutical combinations according to the invention may contain compounds 1 and 2 in ratios by weight ranging from 1:300 to 50:1, preferably from 1:250 to 40:1. In the particularly preferred pharmaceutical combinations which contain ipratropium salt or tiotropium salt as compound 1 and a compound selected from among pramipexol, talipexol and viozan as the dopamine agonist 2, the weight ratios of 1 to 2 are most preferably in a range in which ipratropium or tiotropium 1′ and 2 are present in proportions of 1:150 to 30:1, more preferably from 1:50 to 20:1.

[0034] For example, without restricting the scope of the invention thereto, preferred combinations of 1 and 2 according to the invention may contain ipratropium or tiotropium 1′ and dopamine agonists 2 in the following weight ratios: 1:50; 1:49; 1:48; 1:47; 1:46; 1:45; 1:44; 1:43; 1:42; 1:41; 1:40; 1:39; 1:38; 1:37; 1:36; 1:35; 1:34; 1:33; 1:32; 1:31; 1:30; 1:29; 1:28; 1:27; 1:26; 1:25; 1:24; 1:23; 1:22; 1:21; 1:20; 1:19; 1:18; 1:17; 1:16; 1:15; 1:14; 1:13; 1:12; 1:11; 1:10; 1:9; 1:8; 1:7; 1:6; 1:5; 1:4; 1:3; 1:2; 1:1; 2:1; 3:1; 4:1; 5:1; 6:1; 7:1; 8:1; 9:1; 10:1; 11:1; 12:1; 13:1; 14:1; 15:1; 16:1; 17:1; 18:1; 19:1; 20:1.

[0035] The pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention containing the combinations of 1 and 2 are normally administered so that 1 and 2 are present together in doses of 0.01 to 10000 μg, preferably from 0.1 to 2000 μg, more preferably from 1 to 1000 μg, better still from 5 to 600 μg per single dose. For example, combinations of 1 and 2 according to the invention contain a quantity of 1′ and dopamine agonist 2 such that the total dosage per single dose is about 20 μg, 25 μg, 30 μg, 35 μg, 45 μg, 50 μg, 55 μg, 60 μg, 65 μg, 70 μg, 75 μg, 80 μg, 85 μg, 90 μg, 95 μg, 100 μg, 105 μg, 110 μg, 115 μg, 120 μg, 125 μg, 130 μg, 135 μg, 140 μg, 145 μg, 150 μg, 155 μg, 160 μg, 165 μg, 170 μg, 175 μg, 180 μg, 185 μg, 190 μg, 195 μg, 200 μg, 205 μg, 210 μg, 215 μg, 220 μg, 225 μg, 230 μg, 235 μg, 240 μg, 245 μg, 250 μg, 255 μg, 260 μg, 265 μg, 270 μg, 275 μg, 280 μg, 285 μg, 290 μg, 295 μg, 300 μg, 305 μg, 310 μg, 315 μg, 320 μg, 325 μg, 330 μg, 335 μg, 340 μg, 345 μg, 350 μg, 355 μg, 360 μg, 365 μg, 370 μg, 375 μg, 380 μg, 385 μg, 390 μg, 395 μg, 400 μg, 405 μg, 410 μg, 415 μg, 420 μg, 425 μg, 430 μg, 435 μg, 440 μg, 445 μg, 450 μg, 455 μg, 460 μg, 465 μg, 470 μg, 475 μg, 480 μg, 485 μg, 490 μg, 495 μg, 500 μg, 505 μg, 510 μg, 515 μg, 520 μg or similar. The suggested dosages per single dose specified above are not to be regarded as being limited to the numerical values actually stated, but are intended as dosages which are disclosed by way of example. Of course, dosages which may fluctuate about the abovementioned numerical values within a range of about +/−2.5 μg are also included in the values given above by way of example. In these dosage ranges, the active substances 1′ and 2 may be present in the weight ratios given above.

[0036] For example, without restricting the scope of the invention thereto, the combinations of 1 and 2 according to the invention may contain a quantity of 1′ and dopamine agonist 2 such that, for each single dose, 5 μg of 1′ and 25 μg of 2, 5 μg of 1′ and 45 μg of 2, 5 μg of 1′ and 50 μg of 2, 5 μg of 1′ and 100 μg of 2, 5 μg of 1′ and 200 μg of 2, 5 μg of 1′ and 250 μg of 2, 5 μg of 1′ and 270 μg of 2, 5 μg of 1′ and 400 μg of 2, 5 μg of 1′ and 495 μg of 2, 10 μg of 1′ and 25 μg of 2, 10 g of 1′ and 45 μg of 2, 10 μg of 1′ and 50 μg of 2, 10 μg of 1′ and 10 μg of 2, 10 μg of 1′ and 200 μg of 2, 10 μg of 1′ and 250 μg of 2, 10 μg of 1′ and 270 μg of 2, 10 μg of 1′ and 400 μg of 2, 10 μg of 1′ and 495 μg of 2, 18 μg of 1′ and 25 μg of 2, 18 μg of 1′ and 45 μg of 2, 18 μg of 1′ and 50 μg of 2, 18 μg of 1′ and 100 μg of 2, 18 μg of 1′ and 200 μg of 2, 18 μg of 1′ and 250 μg of 2, 18 μg of 1′ and 270 μg of 2, 18 μg of 1′ and 400 μg of 2, 18 μg of 1′ and 495 μg of 2, 20 μg of 1′ and 25 μg of 2, 20 μg of 1′ and 45 μg of 2, 20 μg of 1′ and 50 μg of; 2.20 μg of 1′ and 100 μg of 2, 20 μg of 1′ and 200 μg of 2, 20 μg of 1′ and 250 μg of 2, 20 μg of 1′ and 270 μg of 2, 20 μg of 1′ and 400 μg of 2, 20 μg of 1′ and 495 μg of 2, 36 μg of 1′ and 25 μg of 2, 36 μg of 1′ and 45 μg of 2, 36 μg of 1′ and 50 μg of 2, 36 μg of 1′ and 100 μg of 2, 36 μg of 1′ and 200 μg of 2, 36 μg of 1′ and 250 μg of 2, 36 μg of 1′ and 270 μg of 2, 36 μg of 1′ and 400 μg of 2, 36 μg of 1′ and 495 μg of 2, 40 μg of 1′ and 25 μg of 2, 40 μg of 1′ and 45 μg of 2, 40 μg of 1′ and 50 μg of 2, 40 μg of 1′ and 100 μg of 2, 40 μg of 1′ and 200 μg of 2, 40 μg of 1′ and 250 μg of 2, 40 μg of 1′ and 270 μg of 2, 40 μg of 1′ and 400 μg of 2 or 40 μg of 1′ and 495 μg of 2 are administered.

[0037] If the active substance combination in which 1 denotes tiotropium bromide is used as the preferred combination of 1 and 2 according to the invention, the quantities of active substance 1′ and 2 administered per single dose mentioned by way of example correspond to the following quantities of 1 and 2 administered per single dose: 6 μg of 1 and 25 μg of 2, 6 μg of 1 and 45 μg of 2, 6 μg of 1 and 50 μg of 2, 6 μg of 1 and 100 μg of 2, 6 μg of 1 and 200 μg of 2, 6 μg of 1 and 250 μg of 2, 6 μg of 1 and 270 μg of 2, 6 μg of 1 and 400 μg of 2, 6 μg of 1 and 495 μg of 2, 12 μg of 1 and 25 μg of 2, 12 μg of 1 and 45 μg of 2, 12 μg of 1 and 50 μg of 2, 12 μg of 1 and 100 μg of 2, 12 μg of 1 and 200 μg of 2, 12 μg of 1 and 250 μg of 2, 12 μg of 1 and 270 μg of 2, 12 μg of 1 and 400 μg of 2, 12 μg of 1 and 495 μg of 2, 21.7 μg of 1 and 25 μg of 2, 21.7 μg of 1 and 45 μg of 2, 21.7 μg of 1 and 50 μg of 2, 21.7 μg of 1 and 100 μg of 2, 21.7 μg of 1 and 200 μg of 2, 21.7 μg of 1 and 250 μg of 2, 21.7 μg of 1 and 270 μg of 2, 21.7 μg of 1 and 400 μg of 2, 21.7>g of 1 and 495 μg of 2, 24.1 μg of 1 and 25 μg of 2, 24.1 μg of 1 and 45 μg of 2, 24.1 μg of 1 and 50 μg of 2, 24.1 μg of 1 and 100 μg of 2, 24.1 μg of 1 and 200 μg of 2, 24.1 μg of 1 and 250 μg of 2, 24.1 μg of 1 and 270 μg of 2, 24.1 μg of 1 and 400 μg of 2, 24.1 μg of 1 and 495 μg of 2, 43.3 μg of 1 and 25 μg of 2, 43.3 μg of 1 and 45 μg of 2, 43.3 μg of 1 and 50 μg of 2, 43.3 μg of 1 and 100 μg of 2, 43.3 μg of 1 and 200 μg of 2, 43.3 μg of 1 and 250 μg of 2, 43.3 μg of 1 and 270 μg of 2, 43.3 μg of 1 and 400 μg of 2, 43.3 μg of 1 and 495 μg of 2, 48.1 μg of 1 and 25 μg of 2, 48.1 μg of 1 and 45 μg of 2, 48.1 μg of 1 and 50 μg of 2, 48.1 μg of 1 and 100 μg of 2, 48.1 μg of 1 and 200 μg of 2, 48.1 μg of 1 and 250 μg of 2, 48.1 μg of 1 and 270 μg of 2, 48.1 μg of 1 and 400 μg of 2, 48.1 μg of 1 and 495 μg of 2.

[0038] If the active substance combination in which 1 is tiotropium bromide monohydrate is used as the preferred combination of 1 and 2 according to the invention, the quantities of 1′ and 2 administered per single dose specified by way of example hereinbefore correspond to the following quantities of 1 and 2 administered per single dose: 6.2 μg of 1 and 25 μg of 2, 6.2 μg of 1 and 45 μg of 2, 6.2 μg of 1 and 50 μg of 2, 6.2 μg of 1 and 100 μg of 2, 6.2 μg of 1 and 200 μg of 2, 6.2 μg of 1 and 250 μg of 2, 6.2 μg of 1 and 270 μg of 2, 6.2 μg of 1 and 400 μg of 2, 6.2 μg of 1 and 495 μg of 2, 12.5 μg of 1 and 25 μg of 2, 12.5 μg of 1 and 45 μg of 2, 12.5 μg of 1 and 50 μg of 2, 12.5 μg of 1 and 100 μg of 2, 12.5 μg of 1 and 200 μg of 2, 12.5 μg of 1 and 250 μg of 2, 12.5 μg of 1 and 270 μg of 2, 12.5 μg of 1 and 400 μg of 2, 12.5 μg of 1 and 495 μg of 2, 22.5 μg of 1 and 25 μg of 2, 22.5 μg of 1 and 45 μg of 2, 22.5 μg of 1 and 50 μg of 2, 22.5 μg of 1 and 100 μg of 2, 22.5 μg of 1 and 200 μg of 2, 22.5 μg of 1 and 250 μg of 2, 22.5 μg of 1 and 270 μg of 2, 22.5 μg of 1 and 400 μg of 2, 22.5 μg of 1 and 495 μg of 2, 25 μg of 1 and 25 μg of 2, 25 μg of 1 and 45 μg of 2, 25 μg of 1 and 50 μg of 2, 25 μg of 1 and 100 μg of 2, 25 μg of 1 and 200 μg of 2, 25 μg of 1 and 250 μg of 2, 25 μg of 1 and 270 μg of 2, 25 μg of 1 and 400 μg of 2, 25 μg of 1 and 495 μg of 2, 45 μg of 1 and 25 μg of 2, 45 μg of 1 and 45 μg of 2, 45 μg of 1 and 50 μg of 2, 45 μg of 1 and 10 μg of 2, 45 μg of 1 and 200 μg of 2, 45 μg of 1 and 250 μg of 2, 45 μg of 1 and 270 μg of 2, 45 μg of 1 and 400 μg of 2, 45 μg of 1 and 495 μg of 2, 50 μg of 1 and 25 μg of 2, 50 μg of 1 and 45 μg of 2, 50 μg of 1 and 50 μg of 2, 50 μg of 1 and 100 μg of 2, 50 μg of 1 and 200 μg of 2, 50 μg of 1 and 250 μg of 2, 50 μg of 1 and 270 μg of 2, 50 μg of 1 and 400 μg of 2, 50 μg of 1 and 495 μg of 2.

[0039] The active substance combinations of 1 and 2 according to the invention are preferably administered by inhalation. For this purpose, ingredients 1 and 2 have to be made available in forms suitable for inhalation. Inhalable preparations include inhalable powders, propellant-containing metering aerosols or propellant-free inhalable solutions. Inhalable powders according to the invention containing the combination of active substances 1 and 2 may consist of the active substances on their own or of a mixture of the active substances with physiologically acceptable excipients. Within the scope of the present invention, the term propellant-free inhalable solutions also includes concentrates or sterile inhalable solutions ready for use. The preparations according to the invention may contain the combination of active substances 1 and 2 either together in one formulation or in two separate formulations. These formulations which may be used within the scope of the present invention are described in more detail in the next part of the specification.

[0040] A) Inhalable Powder Containing the Combinations of Active Substances 1 and 2 According to the Invention:

[0041] The inhalable powders according to the invention may contain 1 and 2 either on their own or in admixture with suitable physiologically acceptable excipients.

[0042] If the active substances 1 and 2 are present in admixture with physiologically acceptable excipients, the following physiologically acceptable excipients may be used to prepare these inhalable powders according to the invention: monosaccharides (e.g. glucose or arabinose), disaccharides (e.g. lactose, saccharose, maltose), oligo- and polysaccharides (e.g. dextrane), polyalcohols (e.g. sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol), salts (e.g. sodium chloride, calcium carbonate) or mixtures of these excipients with one another. Preferably, mono- or disaccharides are used, while the use of lactose or glucose is preferred, particularly, but not exclusively, in the form of their hydrates. For the purposes of the invention, lactose is the particularly preferred excipient, while lactose monohydrate is most particularly preferred.

[0043] Within the scope of the inhalable powders according to the invention the excipients have a maximum average particle size of up to 250 μm, preferably between 10 and 150 μm, most preferably between 15 and 80 μm. It may sometimes seem appropriate to add finer excipient fractions with an average particle size of 1 to 9 μm to the excipient mentioned above. These finer excipients are also selected from the group of possible excipients listed hereinbefore. Finally, in order to prepare the inhalable powders according to the invention, micronized active substance 1 and 2, preferably with an average particle size of 0.5 to 10 μm, more preferably from 1 to 6 μm, is added to the excipient mixture. Processes for producing the inhalable powders according to the invention by grinding and micronizing and by finally mixing the ingredients together are known from the prior art. The inhalable powders according to the invention may be prepared and administered either in the form of a single powder mixture which contains both 1 and 2 or in the form of separate inhalable powders which contain only 1 or 2.

[0044] The inhalable powders according to the invention may be administered using inhalers known from the prior art. Inhalable powders according to the invention which contain a physiologically acceptable excipient in addition to 1 and 2 may be administered, for example, by means of inhalers which deliver a single dose from a supply using a measuring chamber as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,570,630A, or by other means as described in DE 36 25 685 A. The inhalable powders according to the invention which contain 1 and 2 optionally in conjunction with a physiologically acceptable excipient may be administered, for example, using the inhaler known by the name Turbuhalere or using inhalers as disclosed for example in EP 237507 A. Preferably, the inhalable powders according to the invention which contain physiologically acceptable excipient in addition to 1 and 2 are packed into capsules (to produce so-called inhalettes) which are used in inhalers as described, for example, in WO 94/28958.

[0045] A particularly preferred inhaler for using the pharmaceutical combination according to the invention in inhalettes is shown in FIG. 1.

[0046] This inhaler (Handyhaler) for inhaling powdered pharmaceutical compositions from capsules is characterised by a housing 1 containing two windows 2, a deck 3 in which there are air inlet portions and which is provided with a screen 5 secured via a screen housing 4, an inhalation chamber 6 connected to the deck 3 on which there is a push button 8 provided with two sharpened pins 7 and movable counter to a spring 8, and a mouthpiece 12 which is connected to the housing 1, the deck 3 and a cover 11 via a spindle 10 to enable it to be flipped open or shut.

[0047] If the inhalable powders according to the invention are packed into capsules (inhalers) for the preferred use described above, the quantities packed into each capsule should be 1 to 30 mg, preferably 3 to 20 mg, more particularly 5 to 10 mg of inhalable powder per capsule. These capsules contain, according to the invention, either together or separately, the doses of 1′ and 2 mentioned hereinbefore for each single dose.

[0048] B) Propellant Gas-Driven Inhalation Aerosols Containing the Combinations of Active Substances 1 and 2:

[0049] Inhalation aerosols containing propellant gas according to the invention may contain substances 1 and 2 dissolved in the propellant gas or in dispersed form. 1 and 2 may be present in separate formulations or in a single preparation, in which 1 and 2 are either both dissolved, both dispersed or only one component is dissolved and the other is dispersed. The propellant gases which may be used to prepare the inhalation aerosols according to the invention are known from the prior art. Suitable propellant gases are selected from among hydrocarbons such as n-propane, n-butane or isobutane and halohydrocarbons such as preferably fluorinated derivatives of methane, ethane, propane, butane, cyclopropane or cyclobutane. The propellant gases mentioned above may be used on their own or in mixtures thereof. Particularly preferred propellant gases are halogenated alkane derivatives selected from TG 134a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane), TG227 (1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane) and mixtures thereof.

[0050] The propellant-driven inhalation aerosols according to the invention may also contain other ingredients such as co-solvents, stabilisers, surfactants, antioxidants, lubricants and pH adjusters. All these ingredients are known in the art.

[0051] The inhalation aerosols containing propellant gas according to the invention may contain up to 5 wt.-% of active substance 1 and/or 2. Aerosols according to the invention contain, for example, 0.002 to 5 wt.-%, 0.01 to 3 wt.-%, 0.015 to 2 wt.-%, 0.1 to 2 wt.-%, 0.5 to 2 wt.-% or 0.5 to 1 wt.-% of active substance 1 and/or 2.

[0052] If the active substances 1 and/or 2 are present in dispersed form, the particles of active substance preferably have an average particle size of up to 10 μm, preferably from 0.1 to 5 μm, more preferably from 1 to 5 μm.

[0053] The propellant-driven inhalation aerosols according to the invention mentioned above may be administered using inhalers known in the art (MDIs=metered dose inhalers). Accordingly, in another aspect, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions in the form of propellant-driven aerosols as hereinbefore described combined with one or more inhalers suitable for administering these aerosols. In addition, the present invention relates to inhalers which are characterised in that they contain the propellant gas-containing aerosols described above according to the invention. The present invention also relates to cartridges which are fitted with a suitable valve and can be used in a suitable inhaler and which contain one of the above-mentioned propellant gas-containing inhalation aerosols according to the invention. Suitable cartridges and methods of filling these cartridges with the inhalable aerosols containing propellant gas according to the invention are known from the prior art.

[0054] C) Propellant-Free Inhalable Solutions or Suspensions Containing the Combinations of Active Substances 1 and 2 According to the Invention:

[0055] It is particularly preferred to use the active substance combination according to the invention in the form of propellant-free inhalable solutions and suspensions. The solvent used may be an aqueous or alcoholic, preferably an ethanolic solution. The solvent may be water on its own or a mixture of water and ethanol. The relative proportion of ethanol compared with water is not limited but the maximum is up to 70 percent by volume, more particularly up to 60 percent by volume and most preferably up to 30 percent by volume. The remainder of the volume is made up of water. The solutions or suspensions containing 1 and 2, separately or together, are adjusted to a pH of 2 to 7, preferably 2 to 5, using suitable acids. The pH may be adjusted using acids selected from inorganic or organic acids. Examples of suitable inorganic acids include hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, nitric acid, sulphuric acid and/or phosphoric acid. Examples of particularly suitable organic acids include ascorbic acid, citric acid, malic acid, tartartic acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, acetic acid, formic acid and/or propionic acid etc. Preferred inorganic acids are hydrochloric and sulphuric acids. It is also possible to use the acids which have already formed an acid addition salt with one of the active substances. Of the organic acids, ascorbic acid, fumaric acid and citric acid are preferred. If desired, mixtures of the above acids may be used, particularly in the case of acids which have other properties in addition to their acidifying qualities, e.g. as flavourings, antioxidants or complexing agents, such as citric acid or ascorbic acid, for example. According to the invention, it is particularly preferred to use hydrochloric acid to adjust the pH.

[0056] According to the invention, the addition of editic acid (EDTA) or one of the known salts thereof, sodium editate, as stabiliser or complexing agent is unnecessary in the present formulation. Other embodiments may contain this compound or these compounds. In a preferred embodiment the content based on sodium editate is less than 100 mg/100 ml, preferably less than 50 mg/100 ml, more preferably less than 20 mg/100 ml. Generally, inhalable solutions in which the content of sodium editate is from 0 to 10 mg/100 ml are preferred.

[0057] Co-solvents and/or other excipients may be added to the propellant-free inhalable solutions according to the invention. Preferred co-solvents are those which contain hydroxyl groups or other polar groups, e.g. alcohols—particularly isopropyl alcohol, glycols—particularly propyleneglycol, polyethyleneglycol, polypropyleneglycol, glycolether, glycerol, polyoxyethylene alcohols and polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters. The terms excipients and additives in this context denote any pharmacologically acceptable substance which is not an active substance but which can be formulated with the active substance or substances in the pharmacologically suitable solvent in order to improve the qualitative properties of the active substance formulation. Preferably, these substances have no pharmacological effect or, in connection with the desired therapy, no appreciable or at least no undesirable pharmacological effect. The excipients and additives include, for example, surfactants such as soya lecithin, oleic acid, sorbitan esters, such as polysorbates, polyvinylpyrrolidone, other stabilisers, complexing agents, antioxidants and/or preservatives which guarantee or prolong the shelf life of the finished pharmaceutical formulation, flavourings, vitamins and/or other additives known in the art. The additives also include pharmacologically acceptable salts such as sodium chloride as isotonic agents.

[0058] The preferred excipients include antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, for example, provided that it has not already been used to adjust the pH, vitamin A, vitamin E, tocopherols and similar vitamins and provitamins occurring in the human body.

[0059] Preservatives may be used to protect the formulation from contamination with pathogens. Suitable preservatives are those which are known in the art, particularly cetyl pyridinium chloride, benzalkonium chloride or benzoic acid or benzoates such as sodium benzoate in the concentration known from the prior art. The preservatives mentioned above are preferably present in concentrations of up to 50 mg/100 ml, more preferably between 5 and 20 mg/100 ml.

[0060] Preferred formulations contain, in addition to the solvent water and the combination of active substances 1 and 2, only benzalkonium chloride and sodium editate. In another preferred embodiment, no sodium editate is present.

[0061] The propellant-free inhalable solutions according to the invention are administered in particular using inhalers of the kind which are capable of nebulizing a small amount of a liquid formulation in the therapeutic dose within a few seconds to produce an aerosol suitable for therapeutic inhalation. Within the scope of the present invention, preferred inhalers are those in which a quantity of less than 100 μL, preferably less than 50 μL, more preferably between 10 and 30 μL of active substance solution can be nebulized in preferably one spray action to form an aerosol with an average particle size of less than 20 μm, preferably less than 10 μm, in such a way that the inhalable part of the aerosol corresponds to the therapeutically effective quantity.

[0062] An apparatus of this kind for propellant-free delivery of a metered quantity of a liquid pharmaceutical composition for inhalation is described for example in International Patent Application WO 91/14468 and also in WO 97/12687 (cf. in particular FIGS. 6a and 6b). The nebulizers (devices) described therein are known by the name Respimat®.

[0063] This nebulizer (Respimat®) can advantageously be used to produce the inhalable aerosols according to the invention containing the combination of active substances 1 and 2. Because of its cylindrical shape and handy size of less than 9 to 15 cm long and 2 to 4 cm wide, this device can be carried at all times by the patient. The nebulizer sprays a defined volume of pharmaceutical formulation using high pressures through small nozzles so as to produce inhalable aerosols.

[0064] The preferred atomiser essentially consists of an upper housing part, a pump housing, a nozzle, a locking mechanism, a spring housing, a spring and a storage container, characterised by

[0065] a pump housing which is secured in the upper housing part and which comprises at one end a nozzle body with the nozzle or nozzle arrangement,

[0066] a hollow plunger with valve body,

[0067] a power takeoff flange in which the hollow plunger is secured and which is located in the upper housing part,

[0068] a locking mechanism situated in the upper housing part,

[0069] a spring housing with the spring contained therein, which is rotatably mounted on the upper housing part by means of a rotary bearing,

[0070] a lower housing part which is fitted onto the spring housing in the axial direction.

[0071] The hollow plunger with valve body corresponds to a device disclosed in WO 97/12687. It projects partially into the cylinder of the pump housing and is axially movable within the cylinder. Reference is made in particular to FIGS. 1 to 4, especially FIG. 3, and the relevant parts of the description. The hollow plunger with valve body exerts a pressure of 5 to 60 Mpa (about 50 to 600 bar), preferably 10 to 60 Mpa (about 100 to 600 bar) on the fluid, the measured amount of active substance solution, at its high pressure end at the moment when the spring is actuated. Volumes of 10 to 50 microlitres are preferred, while volumes of 10 to 20 microlitres are particularly preferred and a volume of 15 microlitres per spray is most particularly preferred.

[0072] The valve body is preferably mounted at the end of the hollow plunger facing the valve body.

[0073] The nozzle in the nozzle body is preferably microstructured, i.e. produced by microtechnology. Microstructured valve bodies are disclosed for example in WO-94/07607; reference is hereby made to the contents of this specification, particularly FIG. 1 therein and the associated description.

[0074] The valve body consists for example of two sheets of glass and/or silicon firmly joined together, at least one of which has one or more microstructured channels which connect the nozzle inlet end to the nozzle outlet end. At the nozzle outlet end there is at least one round or non-round opening 2 to 10 microns deep and 5 to 15 microns wide, the depth preferably being 4.5 to 6.5 microns while the length is preferably 7 to 9 microns.

[0075] In the case of a plurality of nozzle openings, preferably two, the directions of spraying of the nozzles in the nozzle body may extend parallel to one another or may be inclined relative to one another in the direction of the nozzle opening. In a nozzle body with at least two nozzle openings at the outlet end the directions of spraying may be at an angle of 20 to 160° to one another, preferably 60 to 150°, most preferably 80 to 100°. The nozzle openings are preferably arranged at a spacing of 10 to 200 microns, more preferably at a spacing of 10 to 100 microns, most preferably 30 to 70 microns. Spacings of 50 microns are most preferred. The directions of spraying will therefore meet in the vicinity of the nozzle openings.

[0076] The liquid pharmaceutical preparation strikes the nozzle body with an entry pressure of up to 600 bar, preferably 200 to 300 bar, and is atomised into an inhalable aerosol through the nozzle openings. The preferred particle or droplet sizes of the aerosol are up to 20 microns, preferably 3 to 10 microns.

[0077] The locking mechanism contains a spring, preferably a cylindrical helical compression spring, as a store for the mechanical energy. The spring acts on the power takeoff flange as an actuating member the movement of which is determined by the position of a locking member. The travel of the power takeoff flange is precisely limited by an upper and lower stop. The spring is preferably biased, via a power step-up gear, e.g. a helical thrust gear, by an external torque which is produced when the upper housing part is rotated counter to the spring housing in the lower housing part. In this case, the upper housing part and the power takeoff flange have a single or multiple V-shaped gear.

[0078] The locking member with engaging locking surfaces is arranged in a ring around the power takeoff flange. It consists, for example, of a ring of plastic or metal which is inherently radially elastically deformable. The ring is arranged in a plane at right angles to the atomiser axis. After the biasing of the spring, the locking surfaces of the locking member move into the path of the power takeoff flange and prevent the spring from relaxing. The locking member is actuated by means of a button. The actuating button is connected or coupled to the locking member. In order to actuate the locking mechanism, the actuating button is moved parallel to the annular plane, preferably into the atomiser; this causes the deformable ring to deform in the annual plane. Details of the construction of the locking mechanism are given in WO 97/20590.

[0079] The lower housing part is pushed axially over the spring housing and covers the mounting, the drive of the spindle and the storage container for the fluid.

[0080] When the atomiser is actuated the upper housing part is rotated relative to the lower housing part, the lower housing part taking the spring housing with it. The spring is thereby compressed and biased by means of the helical thrust gear and the locking mechanism engages automatically. The angle of rotation is preferably a whole-number fraction of 360 degrees, e.g. 180 degrees. At the same time as the spring is biased, the power takeoff part in the upper housing part is moved along by a given distance, the hollow plunger is withdrawn inside the cylinder in the pump housing, as a result of which some of the fluid is sucked out of the storage container and into the high pressure chamber in front of the nozzle.

[0081] If desired, a number of exchangeable storage containers which contain the fluid to be atomised may be pushed into the atomiser one after another and used in succession.

[0082] The storage container contains the aqueous aerosol preparation according to the invention. The atomising process is initiated by pressing gently on the actuating button. As a result, the locking mechanism opens up the path for the power takeoff member. The biased spring pushes the plunger into the cylinder of the pump housing. The fluid leaves the nozzle of the atomiser in atomised form.

[0083] Further details of construction are disclosed in PCT Applications WO 97/12683 and WO 97/20590, to which reference is hereby made.

[0084] The components of the atomiser (nebulizer) are made of a material which is suitable for its purpose. The housing of the atomiser and—if its operation permits, other parts as well are preferably made of plastics, e.g. by injection moulding. For medicinal purposes, physiologically safe materials are used.

[0085] FIGS. 2 a/b attached to this patent application, which are identical to FIGS. 6a/b of WO 97/12687, show the nebulizer (Respimat®) which can advantageously be used for inhaling the aqueous aerosol preparations according to the invention.

[0086] FIG. 2 a shows a longitudinal section through the atomiser with the spring biased while FIG. 2b shows a longitudinal section through the atomiser with the spring relaxed.

[0087] The upper housing part (51) contains the pump housing (52) on the end of which is mounted the holder (53) for the atomiser nozzle. In the holder is the nozzle body (54) and a filter (55). The hollow plunger (57) fixed in the power takeoff flange (56) of the locking mechanism projects partially into the cylinder of the pump housing. At its end the hollow plunger carries the valve body (58). The hollow plunger is sealed off by means of the seal (59). Inside the upper housing part is the stop (60) on which the power takeoff flange abuts when the spring is relaxed. On the power takeoff flange is the stop (61) on which the power takeoff flange abuts when the spring is biased. After the biasing of the spring the locking member (62) moves between the stop (61) and a support (63) in the upper housing part. The actuating button (64) is connected to the locking member. The upper housing part ends in the mouthpiece (65) and is sealed off by means of the protective cover (66) which can be placed thereon.

[0088] The spring housing (67) with compression spring (68) is rotatably mounted on the upper housing part by means of the snap-in lugs (69) and rotary bearing. The lower housing part (70) is pushed over the spring housing. Inside the spring housing is the exchangeable storage container (71) for the fluid (72) which is to be atomised. The storage container is sealed off by the stopper (73) through which the hollow plunger projects into the storage container and is immersed at its end in the fluid (supply of active substance solution).

[0089] The spindle (74) for the mechanical counter is mounted in the covering of the spring housing. At the end of the spindle facing the upper housing part is the drive pinion (75). The slider (76) sits on the spindle.

[0090] The nebulizer described above is suitable for nebulizing the aerosol preparations according to the invention to produce an aerosol suitable for inhalation.

[0091] If the formulation according to the invention is nebulized using the method described above (Respimat®) the quantity delivered should correspond to a defined quantity with a tolerance of not more than 25%, preferably 20% of this amount in at least 97%, preferably at least 98% of all operations of the inhaler (spray actuations). Preferably, between 5 and 30 mg of formulation, most preferably between 5 and 20 mg of formulation are delivered as a defined mass on each actuation.

[0092] However, the formulation according to the invention may also be nebulized by means of inhalers other than those described above, e.g. jet stream inhalers or other stationary nebulizers.

[0093] Accordingly, in a further aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical formulations in the form of propellant-free inhalable solutions or suspensions as described above combined with a device suitable for administering these formulations, preferably in conjunction with the Respimat®. Preferably, the invention relates to propellant-free inhalable solutions or suspensions characterised by the combination of active substances 1 and 2 according to the invention in conjunction with the device known by the name Respimat®. In addition, the present invention relates to the above-mentioned devices for inhalation, preferably the Respimat®, characterised in that they contain the propellant-free inhalable solutions or suspensions according to the invention as described hereinbefore.

[0094] According to the invention, inhalable solutions which contain the active substances 1 and 2 in a single preparation are preferred. The term “single preparation” also includes preparations which contain the two ingredients 1 and 2 in two-chamber cartridges, as disclosed for example in WO 00/23037. Reference is hereby made to this publication in its entirety.

[0095] The propellant-free inhalable solutions or suspensions according to the invention may take the form of concentrates or sterile inhalable solutions or suspensions ready for use, as well as the above-mentioned solutions and suspensions designed for use in a Respimatg. Formulations ready for use may be produced from the concentrates, for example, by the addition of isotonic saline solutions. Sterile formulations ready for use may be administered using energy-operated fixed or portable nebulizers which produce inhalable aerosols by means of ultrasound or compressed air by the Venturi principle or other principles.

[0096] Accordingly, in another aspect, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions in the form of propellant-free inhalable solutions or suspensions as described hereinbefore which take the form of concentrates or sterile formulations ready for use, combined with a device suitable for administering these solutions, characterised in that the device is an energy-operated free-standing or portable nebulizer which produces inhalable aerosols by means of ultrasound or compressed air by the Venturi principle or other methods.

[0097] The Examples which follow serve to illustrate the present invention in more detail without restricting the scope of the invention to the following embodiments by way of example.

[0098] Starting Materials

[0099] Tiotrolpium Bromide:

[0100] The tiotropium bromide used in the following formulations examples may be obtained as described in European Patent Application 418 716 A1.

[0101] In order to prepare the inhalable powders according to the invention, crystalline tiotropium bromide monohydrate may also be used. This crystalline tiotropium bromide monohydrate may be obtained by the method described below.

[0102] 15.0 kg of tiotropium bromide are placed in 25.7 kg of water in a suitable reaction vessel. The mixture is heated to 80-90° C. and stirred at constant temperature until a clear solution is formed. Activated charcoal (0.8 kg) moistened with water is suspended in 4.4 kg of water, this mixture is added to the solution containing the tiotropium bromide and the resulting mixture is rinsed with 4.3 kg of water. The mixture thus obtained is stirred for at least 15 minutes at 80-90° C. and then filtered through a heated filter into an apparatus preheated to an external temperature of 70° C. The filter is rinsed with 8.6 kg of water. The contents of the apparatus are cooled at 3-5° C. for every 20 minutes to a temperature of 20-25° C. The apparatus is cooled further to 10-15° C. using cold water and crystallisation is completed by stirring for at least another hour. The crystals are isolated using a suction filter dryer, the crystal slurry isolated is washed with 9 litres of cold water (10-15° C.) and cold acetone (10-15° C.). The crystals obtained are dried at 25° C. in a nitrogen current over a period of 2 hours.

[0103] Yield: 13.4 kg of tiotropium bromide monohydrate (86% of theory).

[0104] The crystalline tiotropium bromide monohydrate thus obtained is micronized by known methods in order to prepare the active substance in the form of the average particle size corresponding to the specifications according to the invention.

EXAMPLES OF FORMULATIONS

[0105] A) Inhalable Powdes:

Ingredients              μg per capsule
1)
Tiotropium bromide       21.7
Viozan                   270
Lactose                  4708.3
Total                    5000
2)
Tiotropium bromide       21.7
Viozan                   45
Lactose                  4933.3
Total                    5000
3)
Tiotropium bromide × H2O 22.5
Viozan                   495
Lactose                  4482.5
Total                    5000
4)
Tiotropium bromide       21.7
Viozan                   400
Lactose                  4578.3
Total                    5000
5)
Ipratropium bromide      40
Viozan                   270
Lactose                  4690
Total                    5000
6)
Ipratropium bromide      20
Viozan                   45
Lactose                  4935
Total                    5000
7)
Tiotropium bromide       21.7
Pramipexol               400
Lactose                  4578.3
Total                    5000
8)
Tiotropium bromide       21.7
Talipexol                400
Lactose                  4578.3
Total                    5000

[0106] B) Propellant Gas-Containing Aerosols for Inhalation:

Ingredients         wt.-%
1) Suspension aerosol
Tiotropium bromide  0.015
Viozan              0.3
Soya lecithin       0.2
TG 134a:TG227 = 2:3 ad 100
2) Suspension aerosol
Ipratropium bromide 0.015
Viozan              0.3
soya lecithin       0.2
TG 227              ad 100
3) Suspension aerosol
Tiotropium bromide  0.029
Viozan              0.45
absolute ethanol    0.5
Isopropyl myristate 0.1
TG 227              ad 100
4) Suspension aerosol
Ipratropium bromide 0.029
Viozan              0.3
absolute ethanol    0.5
Isopropyl myristate 0.1
TG 227              ad 100

Claims

1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more anticholinergics (1) combined with one or more dopamine agonists (2), each optionally in the form of the enantiomers, mixtures of the enantiomers or in the form of the racemates thereof, and each optionally in the form of the solvates or hydrates thereof, and each optionally together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, and wherein substances (1) and (2) are present either together in a single formulation or separately in two separate formulations.

2. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, characterised in that the substances 1 and 2 are present together in a single formulation.

3. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, characterised in that the substances 1 and 2 are present separately in two separate formulations.

4. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, characterised in that 1 is selected from tiotropium salts, oxitropium salts and ipratropium salts.

5. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, characterised in that 1 is present in the form of a chloride, bromide, iodide, methanesulphonate or paratoluene sulphonate salt.

6. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 5, characterised in that 1 is present in the form of a bromide salt.

7. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, characterised in that 1 is selected from tiotropium bromide, oxitropium bromide and ipratropium bromide.

8. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, characterised in that 2 is selected from among bromocriptin, cabergolin, alpha-dihydroergocryptin, lisuride, pergolide, pramipexol, roxindol, ropinirol, terguride, talipexol and viozan.

9. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, characterised in that 2 is selected from pramipexol, talipexol and viozan.

10. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, characterised in that 2 is selected from dopamine agonists which do not overcome the blood-brain barrier and are primarily characterised by a peripheral activity.

11. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 10, characterised in that 2 is selected from among dopamine, fenoldopam, dopexamine, CHF 1035, tolnaperisine and RU-40021.

12. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, characterised in that the weight ratios of 1 to 2 are in the range from 1:300 to 50:1.

13. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, characterised in that the weight ratios of 1 to 2 are in the range from 1:250 to 40:1.

14. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, characterised in that a single administrative form of the composition contains a dose of the active substance combination of 1 and 2 of 0.01 to 10000 μg.

15. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, characterised in that a single administrative form of the composition contains a dose of the active substance combination of 1 and 2 of 0.1 to 2000 μg.

16. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, characterised in that it is in the form of a formulation suitable for inhalation.

17. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 16, characterised in that it is a formulation selected from among inhalable powders, propellant-containing inhalable aerosols and propellant-free inhalable solutions or suspensions.

18. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 17, characterised in that it is an inhalable powder which comprises 1 and 2 in admixture with suitable physiologically acceptable excipients selected from among monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligo- and polysaccharides, polyalcohols, salts, or mixtures of these excipients with one another.

19. An inhalable powder according to claim 18, characterised in that the excipients have a maximum average particle size of up to 250 μm.

20. An inhalable powder according to claim 18, characterised in that the excipients have a maximum average particle size of between 10 and 150 μm.

21. A capsule containing an inhalable powder according to claim 18.

22. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 17, characterised in that it is an inhalable powder which contains only the active substances 1 and 2 as its ingredients.

23. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 17, characterised in that it is a propellant-containing inhalable aerosol which contains 1 and 2 in dissolved or dispersed form.

24. A propellant-containing inhalable aerosol according to claim 23, characterised in that it contains a propellant gas selected from hydrocarbons and halohydrocarbons.

25. A propellant-containing inhalable aerosol according to claim 24, wherein the propellant gas is selected from n-propane, n-butane, isobutane, or fluorinated derivatives of methane, ethane, propane, butane, cyclopropane or cyclobutane.

26. A propellant-containing inhalable aerosol according to claim 24, characterised in that the propellant gas is TG134a, TG227 or a mixture thereof.

27. A propellant-containing inhalable aerosol according to claim 23, characterised in that it optionally contains one or more other ingredients selected from among cosolvents, stabilisers, surfactants, antioxidants, lubricants and pH adjusters.

28. A propellant-containing inhalable aerosol according to claim 23, characterised in that it contains up to 5 wt. % of 1 and/or 2.

29. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 17, characterised in that it is a propellant-free inhalable solution or suspension which further comprises a solvent selected from water, ethanol or a mixture of water and ethanol.

30. An inhalable solution or suspension according to claim 29, characterised in that the pH is 2-7.

31. An inhalable solution or suspension according to claim 29, characterised in that the pH is 2-5.

32. An inhalable solution or suspension according to claim 30, characterised in that the pH is adjusted by means of an acid selected from among hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, nitric acid, sulphuric acid, ascorbic acid, citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, acetic acid, formic acid and propionic acid or mixtures thereof.

33. An inhalable solution or suspension according to claim 29, characterised in that it optionally contains other co-solvents and/or excipients.

34. An inhalable solution or suspension according to claim 33, characterised in that it contains as co-solvents ingredients which contain hydroxyl groups or other polar groups.

35. An inhalable solution or suspension according to claim 33, wherein the co-solvents are selected from alcohols and glycols.

36. An inhalable solution or suspension according to claim 33, wherein the co-solvents are selected from isopropyl alcohol, propyleneglycol, polyethyleneglycol, polypropyleneglycol, glycolether, glycerol, polyoxyethylene alcohols and polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters.

37. An inhalable solution or suspension according to claim 33, characterised in that it contains as excipients surfactants, stabilisers, complexing agents, antioxidants, preservatives, flavorings, pharmacologically acceptable salts and/or vitamins.

38. An inhalable solution or suspension according to claim 37, characterised in that it contains a complexing agent selected from editic acid or a salt of editic acid.

39. An inhalable solution or suspension according to claim 38, characterised in that the complexing agent is sodium edetate.

40. An inhalable solution or suspension according to claim 37, characterised in that it contains an antioxidant selected from among ascorbic acid, vitamin A, vitamin E and tocopherols.

41. An inhalable solution or suspension according to claim 37, characterised in that it contains a preservative selected from cetyl pyridinium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, benzoic acid and benzoates.

42. An inhalable solution or suspension according to claim 33, characterised in that it contains, in addition to the active substances 1 and 2 and the solvent, only benzalkonium chloride and sodium edetate.

43. An inhalable solution or suspension according to claim 33, characterised in that it contains, in addition to the active substances 1 and 2 and the solvent, only benzalkonium chloride.

44. An inhalable solution or suspension according to claim 29, characterised in that it is a concentrate or a sterile ready-to-use inhalable solution or suspension.

45. An inhaler comprising a capsule according to claim 21.

46. An inhaler comprising an inhalable solution according to claim 29.

47. An energy-operated free-standing or portable nebulizer which produces inhalable aerosols by means of ultrasound or compressed air, comprising an inhalable solution according to claim 44.

48. A method of treating inflammatory or obstructive diseases of the respiratory tract, or cystic fibrosis, in a patient in need thereof, comprising administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1.