TRINITROGLYCEROL SUSTAINED RELEASE VEHICLES AND PREPARATION THEREFROM

Abstract: A trinitroglycerol containing substantially disaccharide-free polymeric diffusion matrix for the transdermal systemic delivery of trinitroglycerol through the skin of a patient. The polymeric diffusion matrix contains sufficient trinitroglycerol to be released over a prolonged period of time and comprises a first lower molecular weight, partial hydrolyzed polyvinylalcohol component, a second higher molecular weight, essentially fully hydrolyzed polyvinylalcohol component, and glycerol.

Description: TRINITROGLYCEROL SUSTAINED RELEASE VEHICLES AND PREPARATIONS THEREFROM Background of the Invention The invention provides an improved transdermal diffusion matrix for the sustained release of trinitro¬ glycerol. The anti-anginal activity of trinitroglycerol has been well known for many years, and a sustained release of trinitroglycerol through the skin for sys¬ temic activity has been known for several decades, as evidenced by Davis et al, Am. J. Med. Sci., 259-263 (Sept. 1955) . NITROL (Kremers-ϋrban) and NITRO-BID (Marion) have been on the market for some time. Gross et al, Archiv fur Toxikologie, Vol. 18, 194-199, 331-334 (1960) , has noted the sustained release of trinitroglyc¬ erol in studies which confirm that trinitroglycerol is delivered through the skin at a steady rate. The rate determining step for trinitroglycerol systems is con¬ trolled by the skin itself. Around 1970, various sus¬ tained release forms were proposed as exemplified by Zaffaroni, U.S. Patent No. 3,942,751, although none of the embodiments disclosed were put into use. Recently, NITRO-DUR (Key Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Miami, Florida? Keith et al, U.S. patent 4,291,015) has received favor¬ able commercial introduction, and two other dissimilar products for the same use have also been proposed for commercial introduction (Searle; Ciba) . Summary of the Invention In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a substantially disaccharide-free polymeric diffusion matrix for the transdermal systemic delivery of trinitroglycerol through the skin of a patient, said polymeric diffusion matrix containing sufficient trinitroglycerol to be released over a pro¬ longed period of time and which comprises a first lower molecular weight water soluble polymer with hydration sites, a second higher molecular weight water soluble polymer with hydration sites and glycerol. In a pre¬ ferred embodiment, the polymeric diffusion matrix com¬ prises from about 10 to about 40% lower molecular weight, partially hydrolyzed polyvinylalcohol component as the lower molecular weight water soluble polymer, from about 2 to about 15% higher molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component as the higher molecular weight water soluble polymer, and from, about 2 to about 25% glycerol. The lower molecular weight polyvinylalcohol component has a molecular weight of from about 5,000 to about 40,000. The higher molecular weight polyvinyl¬ alcohol component has a molecular weight of from about 90,000 to about 150,000 and is essentially completely hydrolyzed. The lower molecular weight polyvinylalcohol compo¬ nent as used herein is always a partially hydrolyzed form with a degree of hydrolysis of about 75 to about 92%, preferably between about 86 and about 90%. As used in all examples herein, the degree of hydrolysis is 88%. The higher molecular weight polyvinylalcohol component generally has at least about 95% hydrolysis and prefer¬ ably at least about 98% hydrolysis. When used in the examples, the degree of hydrolysis is about 98-99%. In a further embodiment, the substantially disac- charide-free matrix includes polyvinylpyrrolidone in an amount up to about 2% by weight having a molecular weight of from about 20,000 to about 60,000. The matrix may also include an alkanola ide present in an amount up to 5% by weight and preferably from about 0.1 to about 3% by weight. In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a flowable gel preparation suitable for transdermal application to a patient to deliver trinitroglycerol over a prolonged period of time. The flowable gel is based upon a polymer capable of binding trinitroglycerol capable of releasing trinitroglycerol though the skin of the patient. In yet another aspect of this invention, a buccal or sublingual dosage form is provided. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure I is a cross-sectional view of a polymeric diffusion matrix bandage which permits the direct ad¬ herence of the matrix to the skin of the patient, elimi¬ nating the need for adhesive tapes. Figure II is a cross-sectional view of an adhesive tape bandage which comprises a barrier baseplate, matrix anchor, the drug matrix and a barrier coverstrip at¬ tached to the facestock/adhesive tape. Detailed Description of the Invention The invention provides alternative forms for the sustained release of trinitroglycerol which do not require the presence of lactose. Up to the present time, lactose has generally been included in trinitro¬ glycerol preparations because lactose triturate is the form in which trinitroglycerol has generally been avail¬ able to the pharmaceutical industry. (It should be . recognized that trinitroglycerol in concentrated form is highly explosive, which is the reason for a general re¬ quirement heretofore of the lactose triturate form.) NITRO-DUR is sustained release preparation that has been favorably received in commercial use. The poly¬ meric diffusion matrix in accordance with the invention is superior to NITRO-DUR in terms of being less "wet" which, quite apart from the subjective aspects for a wearer contributes to minimizing • the debonding of the adhesive, enabling a prolonged wearing by a user. The improved matrix promotes the intimate adherence throughout this prolonged period of the polymeric diffusion matrix to the skin, intimate diffusional contact being desired for the sustained release of the drug to the patient. In a first aspect of this invention, a disaccha- ride-free polymeric diffusion matrix is provided. The polymeric diffusion matrix is suitable for systemic trinitroglycerol delivery through the skin of a patient. In a preferred embodiment, the trinitroglycerol is added as a trinitroglycerol/solvent solution. The solvents used include polyethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diacetin and acetin. The amount of solvent ranges from about 5% to about 20%. The matrix comprises from about 10 to about 40% lower molecular weight water soluble polymer, for exam¬ ple polyvinylalcohol, and preferably from about 25 to about 30% by weight; from about 2 to about 15% higher molecular weight water soluble polymer, and preferably about 3%; and from about 2 to about 25% glycerol, pre¬ ferably from about 10 to about 15% by weight. The molecular weight of the lower molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol is from about 5,000 to about 40,000, pre¬ ferably from about 20,000 to about 23,000. The higher molecular weight water soluble polymer component is from about 90,000 to about 150,000, and preferably about 115,000. In a further embodiment, the polymeric diffusion matrix includes polyvinylpyrrolidone in an amount up to about 2% by weight having a molecular weight from about 20,000 to about 60,000. The matrix of the invention also includes an alkanolamide in an amount up to about 5%, preferably 0.1 to about 3% by weight. These surface active agents are C g - C. o alkanolamides, for example, lauric myristic, lauric, myristic, isosteariσ, capric, linoleic and combinations thereof. The alkanolamide can be, for example, Monamid 716 (Mona) , Monamid 716P (Mona) , Monateric LMAB (Mona) , or Monaquat PTL (Mona) . The above agents exemplify the properties desired in the surface active agents. A lactose-free triturate is provided in a second aspect of the invention, which is suitable as a means for providing trinitroglycerol when it is not desired to have lactose in the preparation. It is to be understood that mixtures of the novel triturate without lactose may, of course, be used in combination with lactose triturate when desired for a particular use, the exem¬ plifications of the invention which follow showing only the lactose-free formulations. Trinitroglycerol in a stable form is provided by binding the trinitroglycerol to a polymeric substance which preferably is a lower molecular weight water soluble polymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone or a mixture of these polymers. With a lower molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol of from about 2,000 to about 15,000 molec¬ ular weight, and still more preferably of about 10,000 molecular weight, a solvent solution of the trinitro¬ glycerol may be poured into the polyvinylalcohol to achieve the triturate without heating. Typically, the trinitroglycerol is leached from lactose triturate with a solvent and the solvent containing the trinitroglyc¬ erol is poured into the polyvinylalcohol, the solvent subsequently evaporated to yield the desired trinitro¬ glycerol bound to the polyvinylalcohol. A similar preparation of trinitroglycerol may be made with other polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone having a molecular weight of from about 20,000 to about 90,000. The amount of trinitroglycerol is not critical, provided that phase separation is avoided (which phase separation would lead to the risk of a dangerous explosion) . Up to 20% trini¬ troglycerol has been experimentally introduced into a polyvinylalcohol preparation, although r.ore generally a 10% trinitroglycerol preparation has been produced. It should also be noted that it is expected that, when commercial demand for the polymeric triturate is sufficient, the preparation of the polymeric triturates of the invention, while initially produced through the method described above from lactose triturate, will be replaced by procedures that will directly bind the trinitroglycerol to the polymeric substances without an intermediate lactose triturate step. It is to be understood that other triturates may be formed. It is, of course, essential and very important from the standpoint of safety that sufficiently low concentrations of trinitroglycerol be present to be certain to avoid phase separation. It is to be under¬ stood that as a practical matter a maximum of about 20% (and usually only about 10%) trinitroglycerol is in¬ cluded in any of the triturates of the invention. Examples of triturates in the explosives field with higher percentages of nitroglycerin are found in Berthmann et al, British Patent No. 1,090,184, which discloses methods for manufacture of various triturates. It is to be understood that any pharamcologically ac¬ ceptable triturate may be prepared, including triturates of the same polymers of Berthmann et al, of course with a much lower concentration of trinitroglycerol than the explosive levels of that patent. As such polymers may be mentioned polymethacrylic acid ester, polyvinyl acetate, ethyl aerylate-vinyl chloride copolymer ("ASTRALON") and polymethyl methacrylate. It should be noted that a difference between the polymeric forms of trinitroglycerol of the invention and lactose triturate exists so that the two substances cannot be used completely interchangeably. The poly¬ meric forms of the invention appear to provide products of superior mechanical properties as compared to pro¬ ducts based upon lactose. When applied to the skin as a flowable gel prepa¬ ration, there is advantageously incorporated ethanol or G.--?I isopropyl alcohol into the product, with up to about 30% of ethanol or isopropyl alcohol being preferred, and in a still more preferred about 20% is utilized. Isopropyl myristate is a further preferred ingredient, with an amount of up to about 5% incorporated into the final product. (All percentages are by weight in this des¬ cription unless indicated to the contrary.) The flow- able gel may be directly applied to the skin of a pa¬ tient through conventional means used for more tradi¬ tional forms that have been used, e.g., by spreading the flowable gel from a tube onto a Saran sheet that is placed over the skin. In a more preferred embodiment, a bandage with a concave portion is provided, and typi¬ cally the flowable gel is squeezed from a toothpaste- type of tube into the concavity. This bandage, which advantageously has an annular adhesive ring around this concavity, is placed onto the skin and held in place with the bandage adhesive ring. The flowable gel preparation of one aspect of the invention is prepared by mixing an appropriate amount of polymeric trinitroglycerol of the invention with, for example, isopropyl alcohol and isopropyl myristate. A further embodiment of the invention contemplates a fixed dimension gel which in terms of its shape and self-supporting characteristics is provided as an alter¬ native to the diffusion matrix described in the above- mentioned patent. In the preparation of the preferred fixed dimension gel having a mixture of polyvinylalcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone, two stock solutions are pre¬ pared, one of the polyvinylpyrrolidone and one of poly¬ vinylalcohol. In the polyvinylpyrrolidone stock solu¬ tion there is added any isopropyl alcohol and any iso¬ propyl myristate, and optionally sodium borate. In the second stock solution based upon polyvinylalcohol which is bound to trinitroglycerol there is ' added water and some of the isopropanol. The two stock solutions are then mixed with stirring to yield the fixed dimension gel of the invention. It should also be noted that in the embodiments which refer to a triturate or to a polymeric mixture of polymerically bound trinitroglycerol, varying percen¬ tages of trinitroglycerol may be used. Unless otherwise specified, however, when no fixed percentage of trini¬ troglycerol has been mentioned, the amount is 10% of the particular polymer. As noted elsewhere, higher amounts have been prepared, including 20%, and are contemplated within the scope of this invention. (It again is to be cautioned that working with very high percentages of trinitroglycerol moves toward the danger of phase sepa¬ ration, which is to be avoided in any event due to the risk of explosion. Great caution is to be exercised by the reader when deviation is made from examples in a manner to increase percentages of trinitroglycerol that would bring about phase separation.) It is to be noted that a bandage backing is desir¬ able for the polymeric diffusion matrix of the invention to provide diff sional contact with the skin. In a pre¬ ferred embodiment, the polymeric diffusion matrix is affixed to a patient in the form of a bandage depicted in Figure 1. This -form provides direct adherence of the matrix to the skin of the patient. The barrier layer, a combination baseplace and facestock, comprises an inert backing material including metal foils and polyesters. The drug containing matrix, in its liquid state, is cast between the above described barrier layer and a cover- strip layer ' with a double faced adhesive. The barrier coverstrip includes inert materials such as metal foils and polyesters. A label may optionally be included for the rapid identification of drug and dose in emergency situations. In a further embodiment, as depicted by Figure 2, the bandage includes a facestock layer with skin adhe¬ sive which comprises a foam, film-type, non-woven or vinyl tape with an acrylic, silicone, or rubber adhe¬ sive. Useful backings include, for example, Mylar (polyethylene terephthalate, DuPont) , polyethylene, and a variety of polyesters. Also include is a barrier baseplate of inert backing material such as metal soils or polyester films. It is to be noted that the bandage should contain at least one polyester or foil layer on both sides of the matrix to prevent evaporation. As previously noted, the liquid matrix is cast between bar¬ rier layers. A matrix anchor between the barrier base¬ plate and polymeric diffusion matrix comprises a syn¬ thetic or non-woven material layer, such as nylon or polyester film. Prior to administration the outermost layer, the barrier coverstrip, is pulled away and the matrix in bandage form is affixed to the patient. As a further embodiment in the packaging of the present matrix, the backing layer may be a conventional backing layer such as is disclosed in Keith et al, U.S. Patent No. 4,291,015, particularly where the polymeric diffusion matrix is supported through an annular adhe¬ sive strip surrounding the polymeric diffusion matrix. The drug-containing diffusion matrix is placed in a cavity provided in an inert backing material. Useful backing materials include metal foils such as aluminum foil, polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypro¬ pylene, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polya ides such as nylon, and the like. The drug-con¬ taining diffusion matrix can be poured in its molten state into the cavity and permitted to cool. An adhe¬ sive layer is provided on the backing material sur¬ rounding the cavity. To prevent evaporative loss in the surface of the matrix, the adhesive layer and the matrix are sealed with a release layer. To use the device, the patient peels off the release layer and places the device in intimate contact with his skin. The exposed adhesive layer secures the device to the patient. A concentration gradient existing normal to the surface of C.-.FI the matrix and the patient's skin faciliates diffusion of the drug through the matrix into the patient's body. Thus, there is provided a device whereby a drug is delivered transdermally to a patient at a steady rate over a prolonged period of time. To apply the drug to the patient, the cover layer is peeled off. The exposed matrix is then taped onto a suitable portion of the patient's body. A further embodiment of the invention is to utilize the fixed dimension gel, but without isopropyl alcohol or isopropyl myristate, as a buccal administration form. Conventional dental adhesive to maintain buccal contact may be incorporated as may a conventional backing to avoid the release of trinitroglycerol into the alimen¬ tary canal, the desired result being that the drug is delivered through the cheek and thence into the bloodstream. A sublingual tablet may be produced by compressing the triturate of the invention in a manner similar to that used for the preparation of sublingual tablet with lactose triturate. The amounts of trinitroglycerol which are to be included in any of the dosage forms are similar to those which are used in the aforementioned patent which has been incorporated herein by reference. Generally, a worker skilled in the art will be aware of a desired delivery dosage and include an excess over that amount for any of the sustained release forms. For the case of the sublingual tablet, which is designed to dissolve quickly (e.g., in a minute) the total desired amount is the total dosage for the sublingual tablet. Disaccharide-free triturates that may be used to provide the trinitroglycerol for the polymeric diffusion matrix of the invention are described in the following examples: EXAMPLE I A 10% trinitroglycerol triturate that is lactose- free is produced by leaching ' trinitroglycerol from lactose triturate with ether, and permitting the ether- bearing trinitroglycerol to be added into polyvinylal¬ cohol ( w 10,000, 88% hydrolyzed). The ether mixture is first filtered to remove lactose before being added to the polyvinylalcohol. Sufficient ether mixture is added at room temperature so that the final weight of the trinitroglycerol plus polyvinylalcohol provides a 10% trinitroglycerol and 90% polyvinylalcohol mixture. After addition is complete, stirring of the mixture is conducted until total evaporation of the ether, yielding a white powder. This white powder is free flowing and in physical appearance is similar to that of the start¬ ing polyvinylalcohol; it is soluble in water and_ the binding of the polyvinylalcohol to trinitroglycerol is shown by the maintenance of such property after centri¬ fugation at 5,000 g for 30 minutes. The operation of evaporation is advantageously conducted under a hood. EXAMPLE II Acetone is substituted for ether in Example I, the result being the formation of the same white powdery substance. EXAMPLE III Substituting polyvinylpyrrolidone (mw 40,000) for the polyvinylalcohol of Example I yields a powdery triturate which has the trinitroglycerol firmly bound to the polymer. While the triturate form may be used for the prep¬ aration of the polymeric diffusion matrix of the inven¬ tion, it is also contemplated that the trinitroglycerol may be directed added to the mixture in a solution form, bearing in mind the importance of avoidance of phase separation and the explosive consequences which may result from such separation. EXAMPLE IV Lactose triturate (10% trinitroglycerol) is added to sufficient acetone to put the trinitroglycerol in solution, after which the acetone solution is admixed with polyethylene glycol in an amount sufficient to yield an eventual trinitroglycerol concentration in a solution thereof of 18% (exclusive of the weight of the acetone) . The lactose is then separated from the solu¬ tion. The resultant solution is thereafter treated to heating under vacuum to yield the acetone-free trinitro¬ glycerol solvent mixture that may be used for the intro¬ duction of the trinitroglycerol in a substantially disaccharide-free form to prepare the polymeric diffu¬ sion matrix of the invention. EXAMPLE V Lactose triturate (10% trinitroglycerol) is added to sufficient acetone to put the trinitroglycerol in solution, after which the acetone solution is admixed with dipropylene glycol in an amount sufficient to yield an eventual trinitroglycerol concentration in a solution thereof of 6% (exclusive of the weight of the acetone) . The lactose is then separated from the solution. The resultant solution is thereafter treated to heating under vacuum to yield the acetone-free trinitroglycerol solvent mixture that may be used for the introduction of the trinitroglycerol in a substantially disaccharide- free form to prepare the polymeric diffusion matrix of the invention. EXAMPLE VI Lactose triturate (10% trinitroglycerol) is added to sufficient acetone to put the trinitroglycerol in solution, after which the acetone solution is admixed with diacetin in an amount sufficient to yield an even¬ tual trinitroglycerol concentration in a solution there¬ of of 6% {exclusive of the weight of the acetone) . The lactose is then separated from the solution. The resul¬ tant solution is thereafter treated to heating under vacuum to yield the acetone-free trinitroglycerol sol¬ vent mixture that may be used for the introduction of the trinitroglycerol in a substantially disaccharide- free form to prepare the polymeric diffusion matrix of the invention. EXAMPLE VII Lactose triturate (10% trinitroglycerol) is added to sufficient acetone to put the trinitroglycerol in solution, after which the acetone solution is admixed with acetin in an amount. sufficient to yield an eventual trinitroglycerol concentration in a solution thereof of 6% (exclusive of the weight of the acetone) . The lac¬ tose is then separated from the solution. The resultant solution is thereafter treated to heating under vacuum to yield the acetone-free trinitroglycerol solvent mixture that may be used for the introduction of the trinitroglycerol in a substantially disaccharide-free form to prepare the polymeric diffusion matrix of the invention. EXAMPLE VIII Lactose triturate (10% trinitroglycerol) is added to sufficient acetone to put the trinitroglycerol in solution, after which the acetone solution is admixed with propylene glycol (molecular weight 200, PEG 200) in an amount sufficient to yield an eventual trinitro¬ glycerol concentration in a solution thereof of 6% (exclusive of the weight of the acetone) . The lactose is then separated from the solution. The resultant solution is thereafter treated to heating under vacuum to yield the acetone-free trinitroglycerol solvent mixture that may be used for the introduction of the trinitroglycerol in a substantially disaccharide-free form to prepare the polymeric diffusion matrix of the invention. The percentages given in the following examples express an amount by weight of the individual, component in the final polymeric diffusion matrix. EXAMPLE IX Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare an 8 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monamid 716P (Mona) to yield a final product with 5.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component {mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 26%. Water is ' added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 38 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example IV is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE X Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 14 percent compo¬ sition. A first high molecular weight polyvinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, O FI a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinyl¬ alcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composi¬ tion of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experimental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter trans¬ ferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example V is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XI Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 13.5 percent composition. Also added to the same vessel is suffi¬ cient Monamid 716P (Mona) to yield a final product with 0.5 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight polyvinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to O...PI the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example V is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XII Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 13 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monamid 716P (Mona) to yield a final product with 1.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . - After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the O PI -* >.. IPO process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example V is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. " EXAMPLE XIII Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 12 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monamid 716P (Mona) to yield a final product with 2.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, -a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 {Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example V is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XIV Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 13 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monateric LMAB (Mona) to yield a final product with 1.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example V is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. -—- vripo EXAMPLE XV Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 12 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monateric LMAB (Mona) to yield a final product with 2.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example V is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XVI Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 11 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monateric LMAB (Mona) to yield a final product with 3.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight G::PI _ - - polyvinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28-%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example V is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XVII Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 13 percent compo¬ sition. * Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monaquat PTL (Mona) to yield a final product with 1.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an O. '?I amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example V is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XVIII Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 12 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monaquat PTL (Mona) to yield a final product with 2.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components~ ~' are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example V is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XIX Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 11 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the ' same vessel is sufficient Monaquat PTL (Mona) to yield a final product with 3.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an amount -o yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example V is added to the above mixture stirring O PI and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and -exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XX Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 14 percent compo¬ sition. A first high molecular weight polyvinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinyl¬ alcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage compo¬ sition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experimental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. ' The beaker is then covered and thereafter trans¬ ferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example VI is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XXI Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 13 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monamid 716P (Mona) to yield a final product with 1.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular .weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example VI is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XXII Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 12 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monamid 716P (Mona) to yield a final product with 2.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight polyvinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example VI is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XXIII Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 11 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monamid 716P (Mona) to yield a final product with 3.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an a ount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to.the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example VI is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XXIV Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 12 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monamid 716 (Mona) to yield a final product with 2.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example VI is added to the above mixture stirring . and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XXV Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 12 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monateric LMAB (Mona) to yield a final product with 2.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the . process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. • A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example VI is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XXVI Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 12 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monaquat PTL (Mona) to yield a final product with 2.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example VI is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. CMPI The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XXVII Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 14 percent compo¬ sition. A first high molecular weight polyvinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with . hydration sites, polyvinyl¬ alcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final ercentage compo¬ sition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experimental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter trans¬ ferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example VII is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XXVIII Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 13 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monateric LMAB (Mona) to yield a final product with 1.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol ' 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example VII is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XXIX Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 12 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monateric LMAB (Mona) to yield a final product with 2.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example VII is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XXX Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 11 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monateric LMAB (Mona) to yield a final product with 3.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered O FI and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example VII is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XXXI Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 12 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monamid 716P (Mona) to yield a final product with 2.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final •percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example VII is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then O...PI -33- cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XXXII Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 12 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monateric LMAB (Mona) to yield a final product with 2.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example VII is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is ^ strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XXXIII Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 12 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monaquat PTL (Mona) to yield a final product with 2.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example VII is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XXXIV Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 13 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monateric LMAB (Mona) to yield a final product with 1.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight O PI polyvinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example VII is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XXXV Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 11 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monateric LMAB (Mona) to yield a final product with 3.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example VII is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the, sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XXXVI Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 13 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monateric LMAB (Mona) to yield a final product with 1.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath - and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example VII is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XXXVII Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 11 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monaquat PTL (Mona) to yield a final product with 3.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the.mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example VII is added ' to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to* set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XXXVIII Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 12 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monamid 716P (Mona) to yield a final product with 2.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example VIII is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal- system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. G...PI The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XXXIX Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 12 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monateric LMAB (Mona) to yield a final product with 2.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example VIII is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XL Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added o a vessel in an amount to prepare a 12 percent " composition. Also added to the same vessel is suffi¬ cient Monateric LMAB (Mona) to yield a final product with 2.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight polyvinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example VIII is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XLI Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 12 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monaquat PTL (Mona) to yield a final product with 2.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 28%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 47 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example VIII is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XLII Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 8 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monamid 716P (Mona) to yield a final product with 2.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular . weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 26%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 41 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to OMPI the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example IV is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XLIII Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 8 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monateric LMAB (Mona) to yield a final product with 2.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 26%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 41 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the OMPI_ process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example IV is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface wetness. EXAMPLE XLIV Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 8 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monaquat PTL (Mona) to yield a final product with 2.0 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 26%. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 41 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example IV is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to OMPI set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight sur¬ face wetness. EXAMPLE XLV Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 10 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monamid 716P (Mona) to yield a final product with 3 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 1.0% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 27%. Polyvinyl¬ pyrrolidone of molecular weight 40,000 is added to a final amount of 1.5 percent. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 37.5 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example IV is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. O PI The matrix is not as suitable as the preferred embodiment, since it is moderately wet and brittle. EXAMPLE XLVI Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 5 percent compo¬ sition.* Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monamid 716P (Mona) to yield a final product with 3 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 0.4% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 25%. Polyvinyl¬ pyrrolidone of molecular weight 40,000 is added to a final amount of 1.6 percent. Water is added in an «, amount to yield a total final composition weight of 45 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example IV is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is not as suitable as the preferred embodiment, since it is brittle although only slightly damp. EXAMPLE XLVII Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 5 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monamid 716P (Mona) to yield a final product with 3 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 1.0% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 23%. Polyvinyl¬ pyrrolidone of molecular weight 40,000 is added to a final amount of 1.5 percent. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 46.5 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed * in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example IV is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is not as suitable as the preferred embodiment, since it is brittle although only slightly damp. EXAMPLE XLVIII Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 11 percent composition. Also added to the same vessel is suffi¬ cient Monamid 716P (Mona) to yield a final product with 3 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3.0% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 22%. Polyvinyl¬ pyrrolidone of molecular weight 40,000 is added to a final amount of 4.0 percent. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 38 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example IV is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is not as suitable as the preferred embodiment, since it is too wet although strong. EXAMPLE XLIX Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 7 percent compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monamid 716P (Mona) to yield a final product with 3 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3.0% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 22%. Polyvinyl¬ pyrrolidone of molecular weight 40,000 is added to a final amount of 0.5 percent. Water is added in an amount to yield a total -final composition weight of 44.5 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example IV is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is strong and exhibits only slight surface dampness. EXAMPLE L Glycerol, at standard 96% concentration, is added to a vessel in an amount to prepare a 8 percent, compo¬ sition. Also added to the same vessel is sufficient Monamid 716P (Mona) to yield a final product with 5 percent thereof. A first high molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component (mw 115,000; Elvanol 71-30, DuPont) is added to yield 3.0% of the final product. The second component, a water-soluble polymer with hydration sites, polyvinylalcohol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (Mowiol 4-98, Hoescht) is added to yield a final percentage composition of 22%. Polyvinyl¬ pyrrolidone of molecular weight 40,000 is added to a final amount of 4.0 percent. Water is added in an amount to yield a total final composition weight of 38 percent (deionized water is used in the experiments) . After each of the mentioned components has been added to the vessel, which typically may be a beaker for experi¬ mental studies, the components are thoroughly mixed. The resultant mixture is placed in a microwave oven and heated to the boiling point. The beaker is then covered and thereafter transferred to a steam bath and the process continued until full extension of the polymers contained in the mixture. A trinitroglycerol solution prepared in accordance with Example IV is added to the above mixture stirring and mixed well. The resultant liquid matrix is then cast between two sheets of a foil laminate, allowed to set, yielding the desired polymeric matrix now suitable for use as a transdermal system for the sustained re¬ lease of trinitroglycerol. The matrix is not as suitable as the preferred embodiment, since it is too wet, although strong. EXAMPLES LI-XCIV (44 examples) Substituting the triturate of Example I for the trinitroglycerol solutions of Examples IX-LII, polymeric diffusion matricies free from disaccharides are produced that may be used as a polymeric diffusion matrix in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. EXAMPLE XCV "Stock Solution A" is prepared by mixing together polyvinylpyrrolidone (mw 40,000), isopropanol and iso¬ propyl myristate. Sodium borate is added to this mix¬ ture to complete the preparation of Stock Solution A. "Stock Solution B" is made up of 88% hydrolyzed polyvinylalcohol (mw 10,000) having a 10% nitroglycerin by weight bound thereto as a triturate, to which is added water and isopropyl alcohol. The total weight of the ingredients of the combined solutions above provide the following, the isopropyl alcohol being split between the two stock solutions: Polyvinylpyrrolidone 24.9% Polyvinylalcohol 17.2% Isopropyl myristate 4.8% Isopropyl alcohol 28.7% Water 17.2% Sodium borate 2.3% Trinitroglycerol 2.0% In splitting the isopropyl alcohol between the two stock solutions, 75% is advantageously put into the polyvinyl¬ pyrrolidone "A" and the remainder in the polyvinylal¬ cohol "B" stock solutions, respectively. After each stock solution is prepared, the two are mixed together to provide a fixed dimension gel which is cast in accord with Example VI and a bandage produced in accord with said patent. EXAMPLE XCVI In addition to the substantially-disaccharide free polymeric diffusion matrix of the invention, flowable gels, buccal and sublingual forms are also produced with the triturates of Examples I-IV. The following examples illustrate these aspects of the invention: EXAMPLE XCVII The triturate of Example II is mixed with water to form a 5% polymer concentration, and shows a limited amount of phase separation. EXAMPLE XCVIII The product of Example II is incorporated into a matrix system similar to that of the above-mentioned patent. An aqueous solution of 17% fully extended poly¬ vinylalcohol having a molecular weight of 115,000 and 5% polyethylene glycol (mw 1000) is heated to a temperature of about 90°C. After thorough mixing, cooling to 50°C is permitted, and the product of Example II is added. After a homogenous mixture is obtained, the resultant mixture is cast onto a sheet yield a fixed dimension gel which can be used in place of the sustained release diffusion matrix of Example I of said patent described above. EXAMPLE XCIX A buccal form is provided by the production of a fixed dimension gel in accordance with the general procedures of Example VIII, but without isopropyl alco¬ hol and isopropyl myristate. A laminate structure is made with a backing; an adhesive is placed on the other face to provide a buccal form that can be placed in the cheek of a patient. EXAMPLE C A sustained release oral tablet is provided by com¬ pressing the following ingredients together, the amounts given being the weight per table: 100 mg powder of Example I (containing 10% trinitroglycerol) 50 mg glycerol monostearate 30 mg methyl cellulose 50 mg ethyl cellulose 30 mg fat wax 40 mg magnesium stearate The resultant tablet is taken by the patient under the tongue, resulting in a relatively rapid release of the trinitroglycerol to the patient. EXAMPLE CI A sublingual tablet is provided by compressing together the following ingredients. The amounts being given in weights per tablet: 4 mg Powder of Example I 50 mg powdered cellulose 3 mg magnesium stearate 2 mg glyceryl monostearate The tablet thus produced may be taken by the patient under the tongue as in Example IX, resulting in a rapid initial release of nitroglycerin to the patient. Example CII In the process of Example VI, instead of using the triturate of Example II, trinitroglycerol is directly introduced into the manufacturing process in a suitable solvent, e.g. , acetone, an equimolar amount of trini¬ troglycerol in such solvent being added in place of the the product of Example II. It should be noted that this embodiment is extremely dangerous due to the explosive characteristic of trinitroglycerol, and should only be carried out in areas safeguarded from explosions, such as at dynamite factories.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A trinitroglycerol containing substantially disaccharide-free polymeric diffusion matrix for the transdermal systemic delivery of trinitroglycerol through the skin of a patient, said polymeric diffusion matrix containing sufficient trinitroglycerol to be re¬ leased over a prolonged period of time and which com¬ prises a first lower molecular weight, partial hydrolyzed polyvinylalcohol component; a second higher molecular weight, essentially fully hydrolyzed poly¬ vinylalcohol component; and glycerol. 2. The polymeric diffusion matrix of claim 1, wherein said first lower molecular weight, partially hydrolyzed polyvinylalcohol component has a molecular weight of from about 5,000 to about 40,000. 3. The polymeric diffusion matrix of claim 1, wherein said first lower molecular weight, partially hydrolyzed polyvinylalcohol component is present in an amount of from about 10 to about 40 percent by weight. 4. The polymeric diffusion matrix of claim 1, wherein said second higher molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component has a molecular weight of from about 90,000 to about 150,000. 5. The polymeric diffusion matrix of claim 1, wherein said second higher molecular weight poly¬ vinylalcohol component is present in an amount of from about 2 to about 15 percent by weight. 6. The polymeric diffusion matrix of claim 1, wherein glycerol is present in an amount of from about 2 to about 25 percent by weight. 7. The polymeric diffusion matrix of claim 1 which includes polyvinylpyrrolidone in an amount of up to about two percent by weight and which has a molecular weight of from about 20,000 to about 60,000. 8. The polymeric diffusion matrix of claim 1 which includes an alkanolamide which is present in an amount of up to about 5%. 9. The polymeric diffusion matrix of claim 8, wherein said alkanolamide is present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 3% by weight. 10. The polymeric diffusion matrix of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, which includes a backing layer adhered to one surface of said polymeric diffusion matrix, said backing layer having a larger surface area than said polymeric diffusion matrix, and an adhesive layer attached to said backing layer on the same side thereof as said polymeric diffusion matrix, whereby said polymeric diffusion matrix is maintained in diffusional contact with the skin of said patient. 11. The polymeric diffusion matrix of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, which includes in said polymeric matrix which permits the self-adhesion of said polymeric matrix to the skin of said patient. 12. A flowable gel preparation suitable for trans¬ dermal application to a patient to deliver to said patient trinitroglycerol over a prolonged period of time, said flowable gel being based upon a polymer capable of binding trinitroglycerol in a nonexplosive form and capable of releasing trinitroglycerol through the skin of said patient, and containing trinitro¬ glycerol. 13. A sustained release transdermal medication in buccal form which includes trinitroglycerol contained in a polymer comprising polyvinylalcohol having a molecular weight of from about 2,000 to about 15,000, said buccal form when placed in the cheek of a patient providing a sustained release of trinitroglycerol to said patient over a prolonged period of time.

Inventors: KEITH ALEC DELL, SNIPES WALLACE, KEITH, ALEC, DELL, SNIPES, WALLACE
Applicants: KEY PHARMA, KEY PHARMACEUTICALS, INCORPORATED
Application year: 1982
Main classification: A61L15
IPC codes: A61K9, A61K31, A61L15