Patent ID: 6699908
Filing Date: 2004-03-02
Classification: A61K,A61P,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for providing local anesthesia at a site in a patient, comprising:administering at a site in a patient in need thereof a dose of biocompatible, biodegradable, controlled release microspheres consisting essentially of bupivacaine incorporated at a percent loading from about 60 to about 90% in a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of a polylactide, a polyglycolide, a poly (lactide-co-glycolide), a polyanhydride, a polyorthoester, a polycaprolactone, a polyphosphazene, a polysaccharide, a proteinaceous polymer, a soluble derivative of a polysaccharide, a soluble derivative of a proteinaceous polymer, a polypeptide, a polyester, a polyorthoester, and mixtures thereof contained in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, said dose providing local anesthesia to said site for a period of one day, said bupivacaine being present in said dose in an amount effective to induce a localized condition selected from the group consisting of sensory anesthesia, motor anesthesia and combinations thereof, and said dose providing local anesthesia having substantially improved safety relative to a formulation providing a pharmaceutically equivalent effect of bupivacaine administered in immediate release form.