USE OF ADHESIVE DERMAL BANDAGES AND DERMAL PERCUTANEOUS PREPARATIONS

Abstract: A composition is prepared by mixing usually in a mutual organic solvent, (a) 20-75wt% of polycarboxylic acid and/or anhydride, e.g. a (meth)acrylic polymer or maleic anhydride, and (b) a vinylacetate polymer, which can be a copolymer with a vinyl monomer, and preferably has a mol.wt. of 60,000 or more; plasticiser, water and/or a polyhydric alcohol may be included. A percutaneously absorbable pharmaceutical drug can be dissolved or dispersed in the composition. The composition is cast on a release surface and dried to make a film-like adhesive material of thickness 5 - 500 µm which can be used alone to cover a wound or to administer a drug if one has been incorporated. The film may be lamin­ ated to a soft backing, e.g. a plastics film. The resultant dermal bandage or preparation for administration of a drug has good adhesion to the skin and high water-resistance.

Description: This invention relates to the use of a dermal bandage which is useful for prevention of falling off of dermally applied ointments, creams, solutions, powders, etc. or protection of affected parts of the skin, and a dermal preparation comprising such a bandage having incorporated therein a drug. Conventional dermal bandages include various types of adhesive plasters, adhesive tapes containing a drug for percutaneous administration, and the like. Wounds may be treated by applying gauze or absorptive cotton with, if necessary, a drug on the damaged part, and fixing it with adhesive tape. Further, a liquid bandage comprising a solution of polymeric material is also available, which is applied to the affected part with a spray or a brush, followed by removing the solvent by vaporization to provide a protective film on the affected part. However, a treatment with gauze or absorptive cotton has a problem that the gauze or absorptive cotton adheres to the wound and, when removed, redamages the wound under a recovery. The liquid bandage frequently causes pain upon application to the damaged skin due to the organic solvent used for dissolving the protective film-forming polymeric material; Moreover, it encounters a safety problem due to skin penetration of the organic solvent through the wound. Since cataplasms are composed of a paste of a water-soluble polymer with water and non-woven cloth or flannel as a support, they are not so irritative on the skin. However, they exhibit poor adhesion to the skin to give a feel foreign to the skin. The plasters or drug-containing adhesive tapes comprise a natural or synthetic rubber adhesive material containing a pharmaceutical drug for percutaneous administration have recently been used increasingly, but their direct use on the damaged skin has problems in that they not only exhibit strong adhesion but cause excessive maceration or dermatitis on the skin. In addition, since the adhesive tapes or the like should be applied to the dry skin as a prerequisite to their effect, they scarcely adhere to skin which is wet with solutions, ointments, etc. Therefore, it has long been demanded to develop dermal bandages which can satisfactorily be adhered to the damaged skin either directly or via drugs. Water-soluble polymeric materials, such as polycarboxylic acids and anhydrides thereof, exhibit per se shape retention properties. They exhibit strong adhesion on absorbing a small amount of water, but absorption of excess water causes reduction in viscosity and degradation to make a substantially dissolved state, thus resulting in loss of adhesiveness. EP-A-0200508 (the inventors of which include the present inventors) discloses an adhesive bandage comprising a film-like adhesive material comprising a mixture of (a) at least one polycarboxylic acid or anhydride e.g. in an amount by weight of 24 to 72% *by weight of the material, e.g. an acrylic acid homopolymer or copolymer, a methacrylic acid homopolymer or copolymer and a maleic anhydride copolymer and (b) a vinyl acetate polymer, e.g. a homopolymer or a copolymer with a vinyl monomer, or a partial saponification product of a vinyl acetate homopolymer, said polymer (b) preferably having an average molecular weight of not less than 60,000. The bandage can have a soft film support and can contain a topical drug. The only use of the bandage disclosed is orally, i.e. adhered to the oral mucosa to allow administration of a drug within the oral cavity or to protect an affected part of the oral mucosa. The mixture was found to water-insolubilise the polycarboxylic acids without impairing the strong adhesion to the mucosa which occurs upon absorption of water. We have now found that the aforesaid bandage, or pharmaceutical preparation containing a drug, can also be used dermally, i.e. on the skin outside of a body cavity, and without irritation of damaged skin. According to this invention we thus provide the use dermally of an adhesive bandage or oral preparation as described above with reference to said EP-A-0200508, wherein the weight range *is 20-75 wt %, and which may contain a drug (as a dermal pharmaceutical preparation). The thin and soft films obtained from the compatible mixture of the two components do not undergo degradation due to water-absorption in a wet state but exhibit long-lasting and strong adhesion. The dermal bandage can be strongly adhered to the skin even being wet, can be adhered directly to the damaged skin without causing irritation on the skin, has excellent adhesiveness and softness, and has no feel of being a foreign material. The dermal bandage or preparation used in the present invention comprises said film-like adhesive material and optionally a soft backing member. A dermal bandage used in the present invention can be prepared by, for example, dissolving at least one of a polycarboxylic acid and a polycarboxylic acid anhydride, and a vinyl acetate polymer in a common solvent and rapidly flow-casting the solution, followed by drying to form a film. This process easily produces a very thin film. A dermal preparation used in the present invention can be prepared by dissolving at least one of a polycarboxylic acid and a polycarboxylic acid anhydride, and a vinyl acetate polymer in a common solvent, adding a drug to the solution, followed by mixing, and rapidly flow-casting the solution, followed by drying to form a film. This process also easily produces a very thin film. A dermal preparation used in the present invention can alternatively be prepared by dissolving at least one of a polycarboxylic acid and a polycarboxylic acid anhydride, and a vinyl acetate polymer in a common solvent, rapidly flow-casting the solution, followed by drying to form a film, and dipping the film in a solution of drug or coating the surface of the film with a solution of drug, followed by drying to form a film containing a drug. Examples of the polycarboxylic acids which can be used in the present invention include acrylic acid polymers, methacrylic acid polymers, and combinations thereof. Specific examples of the acrylic acid polymers include an acrylic homopolymer and copolymers of acrylic acid and acrylic esters, e.g., butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexylacrylate, methacrylic esters, e.g., methyl methacrylate, or vinyl monomers, e.g., vinyl acetate, and copolymers, e.g., a carboxylvinyl polymer. Specific examples of the methacrylic acid polymer include a methacrylic acid homopolymer and a copolymer of methacrylic acid with the same comonomers as enumerated for the acrylic polymers. Examples of the polycarboxylic acid anhydride which can be used in the present invention include a maleic anhydride homopolymer, a maleic anhydride-methyl vinyl ether copolymer. Better results can be obtained when the polycarboxylic acid contains 20% by weight or more of -COOH group and the polycarboxylic acid anhydride contains 16% by weight or more of CO-O-CO- group. The amount of the at least one polycarboxylic acid and polycarboxylic acid anhydride in the film-like adhesive material is 20 to 75% by weight based on the weight of the film-like adhesive material. Examples of the vinyl acetate polymer which can be used in the present invention include not only a vinyl acetate homopolymer but copolymers of vinyl acetate and vinyl monomers, e.g., acrylic esters, and a partially saponified product of a vinyl acetate homopolymer. These vinyl acetate polymers can be used either individually or in combination of two or more thereof. The vinyl acetate polymers to be used have an average molecular weight (viscosity average molecular weight) of 60,000 or more. If the average molecular weight is less than 60,000, the resulting adhesive film has a poor water resistance, failing to achieve the desired effects. Solvents common to at least one of the above-described polycarboxylic acid and polycarboxylic acid anhydride (hereinafter referred to as "polycarboxylic acids") and the vinyl acetate polymer include (l) lower alcohols, e.g., methanol, ethanol, etc., (2) mixed solvents comprising (l) as a major component and organic solvents soluble therein, e.g., acetone, ethyl acetate, etc., and (3) mixed solvents comprising (l) or (2) and water. The content of the organic solvents in the mixed solvents (2) is preferably limited to 30% by weight or less since contents more than 30% by weight make it difficult to dissolve polycarboxylic acids. The water content in the mixed solvents (3) is preferably limited to 30% by weight or less. If it exceeds 30% by weight, dissolution of the vinyl acetate polymers tends to become difficult. In the preparation of the film-like adhesive material in the dermal bandage or dermal preparation used in the present invention, it is preferred to select the mixing ratio of polycarboxylic acids and the vinyl acetate polymer so that value A as defined below may fall within the range of from l5 to 55. As the value A becomes greater, the adhesive strength of the film-like material to the skin tends to increase, but the duration of adhesion tends to decrease. On the other hand, as the value A becomes smaller, there is an observable tendency to decrease the adhesive strength but increase duration of adhesion. If value A is less than l5, it is difficult to obtain a sufficient adhesion. If it exceeds 55, insufficient duration of adhesion results. For this reason, the mixing ratio of the polycarboxylic acids and the vinyl acetate polymer is preferably controlled so as to be in the range of from l5 to 55. More specifically, in the case where polyacrylic acid is used as polycarboxylic acids, value A could fall within the above range to obtain favorable results by controlling the proportion of polyacrylic acid in film-like adhesive material to a range of from 24% to 72% by weight. Care should be taken to sufficiently dissolve the polycarboxylic acids and the vinyl acetate polymer in a common solvent. Concentrations of these polymeric materials in the resulting solution are not particularly restricted, but are preferably adjusted not to exceed 40% by weight because too a high concentration of the polymeric materials, i.e., too a high viscosity of the polymer solution, tends to result in difficulty of film casting. Film casting of the solution of polycarboxylic acids and vinyl acetate polymer can be carried out by casting the solution on an appropriate release film, such as polyethylene-laminated paper, and rapidly drying in a high-temperature air bath, such as a drying oven or a drying tower. Adequate time and temperature for drying are preferably from 60°to l20°C in temperature and from about l to about 20 minutes in time, though varying depending on the composition of the common solvent used, the solid content in the solution, the casting thickness, and the like. The very thin film-like adhesive material thus obtained can be used as it is as the dermal bandage or dermal preparation. The thickness of the film-like adhesive material can be controlled by varying the casting amount or the like and is preferably fallen within the from 5 to 500 µm. If the thickness is less than 5 µm, it is difficult to obtain sufficient adhesion properties. Thickness exceeding 500 µm causes a feel foreign to the skin and shows a tendency to impair softness of the film-like material. The thus prepared soft film-like adhesive material used in the present invention shows no adhesion in a dry state but exerts firm adhesion to the skin upon water absorption. Even when the film-like adhesive material is immersed in water, it only swells almost uniformly, with little elution of the polycarboxylic acids component, which indicates substantial water-insolubilization of the polycarboxylic acids components. The above-described adhesion behavior in a dry or wet state as well as the property to retain the film form with adhesiveness even when immersed in water are epoch-making characteristics. If desired, it is possible to make a water-free dry film-like adhesive material of the invention well adhesive to the skin by incorporating an appropriate amount of a plasticizer, e.g., polyethylene glycol, in the film-like adhesive material. The above-described excellent characteristics of the film-like adhesive material used in the present invention can first be obtained by using both the polycarboxylic acids and the vinyl acetate polymer. Individual use of either one of these components does not reach such an achievement. The drug which can be contained in the film-like adhesive material used in the present invention can be solid or liquid at room temperature so long as the drug is percutaneously absorbed when the dermal preparation is adhered to the skin, and is dissolved or dispersed in the film-like adhesive material. Examples of the drug are exemplified below. i) Corticosteroids: hydrocortisone, predonisolone, beclomethasone propionate, flumethasone, triamcinolone, triamcinolone acetonide, fluocinolone, fluocinolone acetonide, fluocinolone acetonide acetate, clobetasol propionate. ii) Analgesic anti-inflammatory agents: acetaminophen, mefenamic acid, flufenamic acid, indomethacin, diclofenac, diclofenac sodium, alclofenac, oxyphenbutazone, phenylbutazone, ibuprofene, flurbiprofen, salicylic acid, ℓ-menthol, camphor, sulindac, tolmetin sodium, naproxen, fenbufen. iii) Hypnotic sedatives: phenobarbital, amobarbital, cyclobarbital, triazolam, nitrazepam, lorazepam, holoperidol. iv) Tranquillizers: fluphenazine, thioridazine, lorazepam, flunitrazepam, chlorpromazine. v) Antihypertensives: clonidine, clonidine hydrochloride, pindolol, propranolol, propranolol hydrochloride, bupranolol, indenolol, nipadipine, lofexidine, nitrendipine, nipradilol, bucumolol, nifedipine. vi) Antihypertensive diuretics: hydrothiazide, bendroflumethiazide, cyclopenthiazide, etc. vii) Antibiotics: penicillin, tetracycline, oxytetracycline, fradiomycin sulfate, erythromycin, chloramphenicol. viii) Anesthetics: lidocaine, dibucaine hydrochloride, benzocaine, ethyl aminobenzoate, etc. ix) Antimicrobial agents: benzalkonium chloride, nitrofurazone, nystatin, acetosulfamine, clotrimazole. x) Antifungal agent: pentamycin, amphotericin B, pyrrolnitrin, clotrimazole, etc. xi) Vitamins: vitamin A, ergocalciferol, cholecalciferol, octotiamine, riboflavine butyrate. xii) Antiepileptics: nitrazepam, meprobamate, clonazepam. xiii) Coronary vasodilators: nitroglycerin, dipyridamole, isosorbide dinitrate, erythritol tetranitrate, pentaerythritol tetranitrate, propatyl nitrate, etc. xiv) Antihystaminic agent: diphenhydramine hydrochloride, chlorpheniramine, diphenylimidazole. xv) Antitussive: dertromethorphan (hydrobromide), terbutoline (sulfate), ephedrine (hydrochloride), salbutanol (sulfate), isoproterenol (sulfate, hydrochloride). xvi) Sexual hormone: progesterene, estradiol , etc. xvii) Thymoleptics: doxepin. xviii) Ameliorants of cerebral circulation: hydergine, ergot alkaloids, ifenprodil, etc. xiv) Antiemetic agent, Antiulcer agent: metoclopramide, clebopride, domperidone, scopolamine, 5-fluoro uracil, scopolamine hydrobromide, mercaptopurine. xx) Bioactive agent: polypeptides, e.g., TRH, LHRH, etc., prostaglandines. xxi) Other drugs: fentanyl, digoxin, desmopressin, dihydroergotamine methane sulfonate, dihydroergotamine tartrate. Those drugs can be used in combination of two or more, if desired and necessary. Although varying depending on the kind of drugs, the amount of drug is 0.00l to 30% by weight, preferably 0.05 to 20% by weight, based on the weight of the film-like adhesive material, taking into consideration the pharmacologicol effect and adhesion. The film-like adhesive material can be used alone as the dermal bandage or the dermal preparation when containing the drug. However, the film-like adhesive material can be combined with a soft backing member to form a composite product. The preparation of the composite product is explained below by reference to the dermal bandage, but the same manner can be applied to the composite product of the dermal preparation. The composite product can be produced by laminating the film-like adhesive material on a soft backing member in a conventional manner, such as hot pressing, bonding with adhesives, and the like. The preparation of the film-like adhesive material and the lamination thereof on the backing member may be conducted simultaneously by flow casting the film-forming compound on the soft backing member. The latter simultaneous process is advantageous in that hot pressing or application of an adhesive is unnecessary thereby to simplify the production. The backing member which can be used in the composite product of the present invention includes plastic films of polyethylene, vinyl acetate resins, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, etc., metal foils, e.g., aluminum foil, tin foil, etc., non-woven fabric, cloth, and laminate films composed of cloth or paper and a plastic film. From the standpoint of safety and feel of touch, the preferred backing members are plastic films, such as polyethylene, vinyl acetate resins, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, etc. The backing member preferably has a thickness of from 5 to 1,000µm so as to have good handling properties and a feel of touch on use. A total thickness of the film-like adhesive material and the backing member preferably ranges from 30 to 1,500 µm. Composite products having the total thickness less than 30 µm have poor handling properties. A total thickness exceeding 1,500 µm is likely to cause a feel foreign to the skin upon use. In the case that a plasticizer is not added, the dermal bandage or dermal preparation can be used as a soft film-like adhesive material which exhibits adhesion only upon absorption of water while showing no adhesion in a dry state (hereinafter referred to as "water-free type"). When it is intended to apply the film-like adhesive material to unwet sites, a part or the whole of the water-free type dermal bandage or dermal preparation may be moistened by spraying water or an alcohol for disinfection, or production conditions may be selected so that moisture may remain in the resulting product. Such a product can be put on the market as a "water-containing type" which strongly adheres to the skin simply by pressing. In this case, a desired adhesive strength can be obtained by controlling the water content. The water content control is effected through, for example, appropriate selection of drying conditions or adjustment of the amount of water to be used for spraying or dipping. Further, the water-free type can be rendered adhesive by incorporating a plasticizer, e.g., polyethylene glycol, into the film-forming compound. If a plasticizer is not particularly incorporated, the film-like adhesive material of the present invention rapidly exerts adhesiveness to the damaged or wet skin that is less subject to adhesion due to sweat or moisture on the skin, drugs applied, bleeding, and the like. By the aid of the film-like adhesive material of the present invention, loss of drugs due to running off can be prevented while giving protection to the skin thereby to ensure percutaneous absorption of the drug and accelerate healing of the damaged skin. The present invention is also characterized in that such an adhesion state lasts for prolonged periods of time. For the purpose of ensuring moisture retention and adhesion, the film-like adhesive material can further contain a polyhydric alcohol, e.g., glycerin, sorbitol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, mannitol, polyoxyethylenepolyoxypropylene glycol, etc. As described above, the dermal bandage and dermal preparation have two embodiments, i.e., a water-containing type and a water-free type, and their characteristics, such as adhesion, are influenced by the water content or the compounding ratio of the above-described polyhydric alcohol. In this connection. the total content of water and the polyhydric alcohol is preferably up to 200% by weight based on the total amount of the polycarboxylic acids and the vinyl acetate polymers, with the water content being up to 50% by weight based on the whole compound. If the content of water or a polyhydric alcohol exceeds the above upper limit, there is a fear of insufficiency in any of adhesion, cohesive force, film strength, and the like. Here, the cohesive force can be controlled by irradiation. In order to avoid irritation on the damaged skin or to weaken influences upon drugs, if applied, such as induction of chemical reactions or decomposition of the drugs, the film-like adhesive material used in the present invention can further contain salts or bases capable of neutralizing the polycarboxylic acids. Examples of the salts or bases include salts of metals and weak acids (e.g., salts of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium or the like and carboxylic acids such as acetic acid, lactic acid or citric acid), oxides of metals (e.g., zinc oxide, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide or the like), hydroxides of metals (e.g., sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide or the like), and various amines (e.g., triethanol amine, diisopropanol amine or the like). The amount of the neutralizing agent to be added is preferably from 0.2 to l.3 equivalents based on the polycarboxylic acid, although greatly varying depending on its kind. With insufficient degree of neutralization, irritation on the damaged skin may not be alleviated. An excessive degree of neutralization sometimes deteriorates resistance to water or perspiration. If desired, the film-like adhesive material in the dermal bandage or dermal preparation may contain other additives, such as colorants, flavors, softeners, etc., so far as the addition does not impair adhesion properties of the film-like adhesive material. For example, when both the film-like adhesive material and the backing member are colorless, addition of a colorant to either one of them makes it easy to distinguish between the surface side and the back side. As described above, the dermal bandage and dermal preparation comprise a soft and thin film-like adhesive material prepared from a mixture of at least one of polycarboxylic acids and a vinyl acetate polymer with or without a backing member. Both the film-like adhesive material and the film-like adhesive material on the backing member perfectly and easily fit any part of the body due to their softness and strong adhesion. Moreover, the adhesion exerted is maintained for an extended peiod of time. Peel tests using a collagen film swollen with water as an adherend (peel angle: l80°) revealed that the adhesiveness was from about 20 to about 200g/2.5 cm width, as shown in Examples hereinafter given. These results indicate remarkable effects on prevention of running off of administered drugs or protection of the damaged skin. In particular, since the polycarboxylic acids which constitute the film-like adhesive material are substantially insolubilized, the dermal bandage or dermal preparation, even when immersed in water, is only swollen with water while retaining high water-resistance without undergoing degradation due to water absorption. In the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 and 2 are graphs showing the relationship between the time after peeling and the score in a blanching test (vasoconstriction), in Examples 16 and 17 and comparative Examples 1,2,4 and 5. Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 are graphs showing the relationship between the adhering time and concentration of drug in plasma in Examples 18 to 20 and comparative Examples 6, 7, 8 and 9. The invention will now be illustrated in greater detail by reference to the following Examples, wherein parts, percentages and ratios are by weight unless otherwise indicated. Example l Five parts of a carboxyvinyl polymer (CVP) and 5 parts of a vinyl acetate resin (PVAc) (degree of polymerization: about l,500) were dissolved in 90 parts of methanol which is a solvent common to them, to form a uniform solution. The solution was cast on a paper separator, dried, and peeled off to obtain a film-like adhesive material having a thickness of 30 µm. Value A of the resulting film-like adhesive material calculated was 3l.3. The film-like adhesive material was then hot-pressed onto a 40 µm thick polyethylene film with an aluminum deposit to prepare a dermal bandage. The resulting product was evaluated for performances by an adhesion test and peel test in accordance with the following test methods. The results obtained are shown in Table l. Adhesion Test Method: A circular specimen of l0 mm in diameter was cut out of the sample, adhered to a water-swollen crosslinked collagen film fixed to a phenol resin plate, and immersed in water at 37°C. The state of the sample in water was observed. Peel Test Method: The sample was cut into a strip of 2.5 cm in width and l5 cm in length. The specimen was adhered to a water-swollen crosslinked collagen film and immersed in water in the same manner as described above. After immersion for a prescribed period of time, a peel strength at a peel angle of l80°C was determined by means of a Schopper type tensile strength tester. EXAMPLES 2 to 6 A l0% methanol solution of CVP and a l0% methanol solution of PVAc (degree of polymerization: about 2,500) were mixed at varying proportions as shown in Table 2. The mixed solution was cast on a paper separator, dried, and peeled off to prepare a film-like adhesive material having a thickness of 20 µm. The film was hot pressed onto a 50 µm thick polyvinyl acetate film (degree of polymerization: about 2,500) to obtain a dermal bandage. Each of the resulting samples was evaluated in the same manner as in Example l, except that the time of immersion in water for peel test was fixed at l0 minutes. The results obtained are shown in Table 2 below. In Table 2, the adhesion observed in the adhesion test was expressed in terms of time period for which the adhesion was retained. It can be seen from Table 2 that film-like adhesive materials of Examples 3 to 5, in which value A falls within the range of from l5 to 55, satisfy both requirements of strength and duration of adhesion. Further, the sample of Example 6 having value A of 50 which is fallen within the range of l5 to 55 shows a relatively low adhesion time, but a sufficient strength. Therefore, it is possible to use this sample depending on the specific purpose of use, e.g., when a short adhesion time is required. On the other hand, the sample of Example 2, in which the CVP:PVAc ratio is 2 : 8 and value A is less than l5, exhibits poor adhesion. Therefore, this sample is of no practical use. EXAMPLES 7 to l0 Dermal bandages were prepared in the same manner as in Example l, except for changing the thickness of the film-like adhesive material as shown in Table 3. Each of the resulting samples was subjected to the adhesion test and peel test (time of immersion: l0 minutes) in the same manner as in Example l. Further, a patch (5 × 5 cm) of each sample was applied to the upper arm of l0 panel members. The time till the patch was separated apart was determined, and the feel of application to the skin was evaluated. The results obtained are shown in Table 3 below The above components were mixed to form a uniform solution. The resulting solution was flow-cast on a polyethylene terephthalate film and dried in a drier at 80°C for l5 minutes to obtain a film-like adhesive material having a thickness of 80 µm. The film-like adhesive material had a value A of l8. The resulting film-like adhesive material was then hot-pressed onto a 30 µm thick polyethylene film at l00°C to obtain a dermal bandage. The above components were mixed to form a uniform solution. The solution was flow-casted on a 30 µm thick polyethylene film, followed by drying in a drier at 60°C for l5 minutes to thereby obtain a dermal bandage composed of a 20 µm thick film-like adhesive material integrally bonded with the polyethylene film. The above components were mixed, and the resulting uniform solution was flow-cast on a pater separator, dried at 60°C and peeled off to obtain a film-like adhesive material having a thickness of l5 µm. The resulting film-like adhesive material was then hot-pressed on a 30 µm thick PVAc film (degree of polymerization: about l,500) to obtain a dermal bandage. The above components were mixed to form a uniform solution. The solution was flow-cast on polyethylene-laminated paper having been subjected to releasing treatment and dried in a drier at l00°C for 8 minutes to form a film-like adhesive material having a thickness of 40 µm. The resulting film-like adhesive material was then hot-pressed on a PVAc film (degree of polymerization: about 2,000) having a thickness of 40 µm at l00°C. The composite product thus obtained was sprayed with warm water at 30°C so as to have a water content of 20%, thereby obtaining a dermal bandage. Each of the samples of Examples ll to l4 was evaluated for performances in the same manner as in Examples 7 to l0. The results obtained are shown in Table 4, in which value A of each sample was also given. As is apparent from Table 4, every sample according to the present invention exhibits strong adhesion of long duration by water absorption. It can also be seen that these samples are very agreeable to the skin with no feel foreign to the skin when actually applied to the human body. The above components were uniformly mixed to form a solution, and Lidocaine was added thereto in an amount of 6% by weight based on the solid content of the solution. The resulting solution was cast on a 60 µm thick film of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a vinyl acetate content of 28% by weight, followed by drying in a dryer at 80°C for l0 minutes to obtain a dermal preparation. The dermal preparation had a Lidocaine content of 720 µg/cm². The above components were uniformly mixed to form a solution, and Lidocaine was added thereto in an amount of 6% by weight based on the solid content of the solution. The resulting solution was cast on a silicone-treated paper separator and dried at l20°C for 4 minutes. A 60 µm thick film of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a vinyl acetate content of 28% by weight was then laminated on the cast film to obtain a dermal preparation. The Lidocaine content in the resulting dermal preparation was 720 µg/cm². Each of the dermal preparations obtained in Example 15 and Comparative Example l was dipped in water for l second and, immediately thereafter, adhered to the abdomen of rats (6 rats per group) for 3 hours. The Lidocaine content in the dermal preparation after 3 hours' adhesion was measured to obtain the release ratio of Lidocaine. The results obtained are shown in Table below. Then, patches (3 cm x 3 cm) were cut out from each of the dermal preparations of Example 15 and Comparative Example 1 and were adhered to the skin of the inside of the upper arm of 10 healthy male panel members. The state of adhesion after 3 hours' adhesion and the pain upon peeling after 3 hours' adhesion were evaluated according to the following ratings: The above components were uniformly mixed to form a solution, and Fluocinonide was added to the solution in an amount of 0.2% by weight based on the solid content of the solution. The resulting solution was cast on a 80 µm thick polyethylene film and dried in a drier at 80°C for l5 minutes to obtain a dermal preparation containing 8 µg/cm² of Fluocinonide. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES 2 AND 3 In a flask were charged 95 parts of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (EHA), 5 parts of acrylic acid, and 0.3 part of azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) in an inert gas atmosphere to initiate polymerization. The polymerization reaction was continued while adding dropwise ethyl acetate and maintaining the reaction temperature at about 60°C until heat did not generate to obtain a polymer solution (A). Separately, 65 parts of EHA, l5 parts of 2-methoxyethyl acrylate, 20 parts of vinyl acetate and 0.3 part of benzoyl peroxide were subjected to polymerization in the same manner as described above to obtain a polmer solution (B). Fluocinonide was added to each of the polymer solutions (A) and (B) so as to have the same content as in the solution of Example l6, and the resulting solution was flow-casted and dried in the same manner as in Example l6 to obtain a dermal preparation. Discs of 23 mm in diameter were cut out from each of the dermal preparations obtained in Example l6 and Comparative Examples 2 and 3. After the disc of Example l6 was dipped in water for 1 second, each of the dermal preparation obtained in Example l6 and Comparative Example 2 and 3 was adhered to the inside part of the upper arm of 10 healthy male panel members for 6 hours and then peeled off. The score of blanching test of the skin to which the disc had been applied was observed after 2 hours, 6 hours and l8 hours from the peeling and evaluated according to the following ratings. The results obtained are shown in Fig. l as an average of l0 panel members for each disc. In Fig. l, Curves A, B and C indicate Example l6 and Comparative Examples 2 and 3, respectively. The above components were uniformly mixed to form a solution, and Prednisolone Valerate was added thereto in an amount of 0.75% by weight based on the solid content of the solution. The solution was flow-cast on a separator having been subjected to release treatment and dried at l00°C for 5 min, and a 30 µm thick polyethylene film was then laminated on the cast film to obtain a dermal preparation containing 30 µg/cm² of Prednisolone Valerate. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES 4 AND 5 Prednisolone Valerate was added to each of the polymer solutions (A) and (B) as prepared in Comparative Examples 2 and 3, respectively, in an amount of 0.75% by weight based on the solid content of the solution. The resulting solution was flow-cast, dried and laminated in the same manner as in Example l7 to obtain a dermal preparation. The resulting dermal preparation was tested in the same manner as in Example l7 to evaluate the score of blanching test of the skin after peeling, except that the evaluations were made after l hour, 3 hours, and l8 hours from the peeling. The results obtained are shown in Fig. 2, in which Curves D, E and F indicate Example l7 and Comparative Examples 4 and 5, respectively. EXAMPLE 18 The above components were uniformly mixed to form a solution, and Timolol was added thereto in an amount of l0% by weight based on the solid content of the solution. The resulting solution was casted on a separator having been subjected to release treatment and dried at 60°C for l5 minutes. A 60 µm thick aluminum-deposited polyethylene film was then laminated on the cast film to obtain a dermal preparation having a Timolol content of 400 µg/cm². COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 6 l00 parts of polyisobuthlene (molecular weight: about l,600,000), 70 parts of polyisobutylene (molecular weight: about 60,000) and 30 parts of an alicyclic saturated hydrocarbon resin (molecular weight: about 700; melting point: l00°C) were uniformly dissolved in toluene, and Timolol was added thereto in an amount of l0% by weight based on the solid content of the solution. The resulting solution was flow-cast, dried and laminated with an aluminum-deposited polyethylene film in the same manner as in Example l8, except for drying at l20°C for 5 mins. Each of the dermal preparation obtained in Example l8 and Comparative Example 6 was cut into patches of 50 cm², and each patch was adhered to the shaved abdomen of rats. The blood was taken at a given time interval, and the blood level of Timolol was determined by gas chromatography. The results obtained are shown in Fig. 3, in which Curves G and H indicate Example l8 and Comparative Example 6, respectively. EXAMPLE 19 The above components were uniformly mixed to form a solution, and Clonidine was added thereto in an amount of 5% by weight based on the solid content of the solution. The resulting solution was casted on a separator having been subjected to release treatment to a dry thickness of 40 µm, followed by drying at l20°C for 5 minutes. The cast film was then laminated with a 80 µm thick urethane film to obtain a dermal preparation use having a Clonidine content of 200 µg/cm². COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 7 85 parts of EHA, l5 parts of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and 0.3 part of AIBN were subjected to polymerization in the same manner as in Comparative Example 2 to obtain a polymer solution (C). To the solution was added Clonidine in an amount of 5% by weight based on the solid content of the solution, and the resulting solution was flow-cast, dried, and laminated with a urethane film in the same manner as in Example l9 to obtain a dermal preparation having a Clonidine content of 200 µg/cm². Each of the dermal preparation of Example l9 and Comparative Example 7 was cut into patches having a size of l0 cm², and each patch was adhered to the shaved abdomen of rats. The blood was taken at a given time interval, and the blood level of Clonidine was determined by gas chromatography. The results obtained are shown in Fig. 4, in which Curves I and J indicate Example l9 and Comparative Example 7, respectively. EXAMPLE 20 The above components were uniformly mixed to form a solution, and Isosorbide Dinitrate was added thereto in an amount of l5% by weight based on the solid content of the solution. The resulting solution was cast on a separator having been subjected to release treatment to a dry thickness of 40 µm, followed by drying at l00°C for 5 minutes. A 80 µm thick polyethylene film was then laminated on the cast film to obtain a dermal preparation having an Isosorbide Dinitrate content of 600 µg/cm². COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 8 To the polymer solution (A) as prepared in Comparative Example 2 was added Isosorbide Dinitrate in an amount of l5% by weight based on the solid content of the solution. The resulting solution was flow-cast, dried, and laminated with polyethylene film in the same manner as in Example 20 to obtain a dermal preparation having a content of Isosorbide Dinitrate of 600 µg/cm². Each of the dermal preparations prepared in Example 20 and Comparative Example 8 was cut into patches having a size of 65 cm² and adhered to the shaved back of rabbits. The dermal preparation prepared in Example 20 was adhered to the shaved back of rabbits after spray water to the shaved back for moisturization. The blood was taken at a given time interval, and the blood level of Isosorbide Dinitrate was determined by gas chromatography. The results obtained are shown in Fig. 5, in which Curves K and L indicate Example 20 and Comparative Example 8, respectively. EXAMPLE 21 The above components were uniformly mixed to form a solution, and Diclofenac was added thereto in an amount of 5% by weight based on the solid content of the solution. The resulting solution was cast on a separator having been subjected to release treatment and dried at l20°C for 5 minutes to obtain a dermal preparation having a Diclofenac content of 500 µg/cm². COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 9 Diclofenac was added to the polymer solution (B) as prepared in Comparative Example 3 in an amount of 5% by weight based on the solid content of the solution. The resulting solution was flow-cast and dried in the same manner as in Example 2l to obtain a dermal preparation having a Diclofenac content of 500 µg/cm². Each of the dermal preparation obtained in Example 2l and Comparative Example 9 was cut into patches having a size of l3.5 cm² and adhered to the shaved abdomen of rats. The blood was taken at a given time interval, and the blood level of Diclofenac was determined by gas chromatography. The patch of Example l was dipped in water for l second before adhesion. The results obtained are shown in Fig. 6, in which Curves M and N indicate Example 2l and Comparative Example 9, respectively.

Claims: Use of an adhesive bandage comprising a film-like adhesive material comprising a mixture of (a) at least one polycarboxylic acid and/or polycarboxylic anhydride in an amount of 20-75% by weight of the material, and selected from an acrylic acid homopolymer or copolymer, a methacrylic acid homopolymer or copolymer and a maleic acid anhydride copolymer, and (b) a vinyl acetate polymer which is selected from a vinyl acetate homopolymer, a vinyl acetate copolymer with a vinyl monomer and a partially saponified vinyl acetate homopolymer, said vinyl acetate polymer having a viscosity average molecular weight of 60,000 or more; characterised in that the bandage is used dermally, in a dermal preparation. Use as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said adhesive mixture also contains a percutaneously absorbable pharmaceutical drug. Use as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the drug is solid or liquid at room temperature, and can be dissolved or dispersed in the film-like adhesive material. Use as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein the amount of the drug is 0.001 to 30% by weight based on the weight of the film-like adhesive material. Use as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said polycarboxylic acids contain 20% by weight or more of a -COOH group, and said polycarboxylic acid anhydrides contain 16% by weight or more of a -CO-O-CO group. Use as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the ratio of the polycarboxylic acids and/or polycarboxylic acid anhydrides to the vinyl acetate polymer is in such a range in the adhesive material that the expression of their weights: is from 15 to 55. Use as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said adhesive film has a thickness of from 5 to 500 µm. Use as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said film-like adhesive material further contains a plasticizer. Use as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said film-like adhesive material further contains up to 50% by weight of water. Use as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said film-like adhesive material is laminated on a soft backing member. Use as claimed in Claim 10, wherein said backing member has a thickness of from 5 to 1,000 µm and the total thickness of the film-like adhesive material and the backing member is from 30 to 1,500 µm.

Inventors: HORIUCHI, TETSUO C/O NITTO ELECTRIC, INOUE, YUICHI C/O NITTO ELECTRIC
Applicants: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
Application year: 1986
Main classification: A61L15
IPC codes: A61L15, A61K9