NASAL ADMINISTRATION OF DRUGS

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the nasal administration of drugs with reduced nasal irritation are disclosed.

Description: This invention pertains to compositions for the nasal administration of peptides and steroids. Many drugs are administered by injection because other methods of administration do not provide acceptable drug delivery. Many drugs, such as insulin, cannot be taken orally because they are inactivated in the digestive track. For example, insulin has been administered traditionally by subcutaneous injection in order to attain the needed drug bioavailability. One disadvantage of subcutaneous drug administration is that many patients are reluctant or unable to give themselves injections several times a day. Other disadvantages of subcutaneously injected drugs, include great intra-individual variability of absorption (See e.g., Berger, M. et al., in Sayler, J.S. ed. Insunn. update: 1982 Amersterdam Excerpta Medica , 1982, 97-110; Galoway, J.A. et al., Diabetes Care (1981), 4 :366-76) and absorption at too slow a rate to provide rapid onset and short duration of drug action. Nasal administration of drugs offers advantages over subcutaneous administration in terms of rate of absorption as well as of convenience. Thus, the nasal route for drug administration is of great interest. Drugs are often poorly absorbed through the nasal mucosa and thus administration by, e.g., a nasal spray, typically requires larger amounts of the drug than administration by injection. Various methods have been tried to enhance absorption of drugs across nasal membranes. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,476,116 discloses polypeptide containing pharmaceutical formulations having chelating agents which enhance peptide absorption across nasal mucous membranes. Several investigators have demonstrated that insulin can be delivered across the nasal mucosa in biologically active doses (Major, R.H., J. Lab. Clin. Med . (1935), 2 , 278-80; Hanxiss J. et al., Acta. Med. Acad. Sci. Hung (1958), 12 , 107-14; Hirai S, et al., Diabetes (1978), 27 , 296-9; Hirata Y. et al., Amsterdam: Excerpta Medica International Congress Semes. 1979, 468, 319-26; Pondroli A.E. et al, Br. Med. J. (1982) 284 , 303-6; Moses, A.C. et al., Diabetes (1983) 32 , 1040-7). Aside from its convenience, nasally administered insulin is absorbed rapidly by the nasal mucosa, mimicking more closely the insulin response to a meal seen in normal persons. Compositions which can be utilized to improve the absorption of nasally administered drugs with reduced nasal irritation, especially when used with chronically administered drugs, are desirable. The utilization of certain surface-active agents to enhance the absorption of insulin has been demonstrated. Hirai and coworkers (Hirai, S. et Intl. J. Pharmaceutics (1981) 1 , 173-184; G.B. Patent specification 1 527 605) have shown enhanced absorption of nasally administered insulin in rats by the use of surface-active agents such as laureth-9. Salzman and coworkers have demonstrated enhanced absorption of nasally administered insulin in humans using laureth-9 (Salzman, R. et al., N.E. J. Medicine , 1985 , April, 1078-1084) but found that such administration was often accompanied by nasal irritation such as stinging, congestion and rhinorrhea, predominantly due to the surfactant laureth-9, and that such effects were proportional to the concentration of laureth-9. Although laureth-9 administered nasally at 0.1% by weight, was tolerated by all subjects tested by Salzman (Salzman et al., supra ), it was found that 0.1% laureth-9 was only moderately effective in promoting insulin absorption. EP-A-160501 discloses intranasal formulations of catecholamines including mixtures of polysorbate 85 and other non-ionic surfactants such as poloxamers. However these formulations are pressurised, sustained release, suspension formulations rather than enhanced release aqueous formulations and the role of surfactants is to improve the stability of the suspension rather than to enhance the penetration of the active ingredient through the nasal mucosa. FR-A-2313914 discloses a stable aqueous insulin formulation for intranasal administration containing polysorbate 80 and having a pH value in the range of 2.5-4.7. However, in this formulation the role of the polysorbate 80 is to provide a stable insulin solution which will not gelatinise or precipitate in the pH range of 2.5-4.7, rather than to enhance the absorption of the insulin or to reduce irritation. Thus, although intranasal administration of drugs is a potentially useful method of administration, compositions which enhance absorption through the nasal mucosa with reduced irritation are desirable. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accord with the present invention compositions and methods for nasal delivery of steroids and peptides are provided by using a combination of surfactants. Use of such compositions provides superior absorption of steroids and peptides through the nasal mucosa with reduced nasal irritation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It was unexpectedly found that polysorbate-80 reduces the irritation caused by intranasally administered steroids and peptides wherein absorption of the steroids and peptides is enhanced by use of P nonionic surfactants. Polysorbate-80 has traditionally been used for its key functional properties of emulsification and solubilizing power (Encyclopedia of Chemical Terminology (3rd ed.) 22: 335, 372, Wiley-Interscience). Polysorbate-80 is used as an emulsifier and dispersing agent for medicinal products designed for internal use (The Merck Index, 10th ed., Entry 7455). According to the invention there is provided a composition for intranasal administration comprising a solution of at least one peptide or steroid, polysorbate-80 and a nonionic surfactant which enhances absorption of the peptide or steroid, said surfactant being selected from nonoxynol-9, laureth-9, poloxamer-124, octoxynol-9,or lauramide-DEA. Compositions according to the present invention are preferably administered from solution as a nasal spray and may be dispensed as a spray by a variety of methods known to those skilled in the art. Preferred systems for dispensing liquids as a spray are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,511,069. Such systems were used in carrying out the work described in the examples set forth hereinafter. Such nasal spray solutions comprise the steroid or peptide to be delivered, a nonionic surfactant which enhances absorption of the steroid or peptide, polysorbate-80, and one or more buffers. In some embodiments of the present invention, the nasal spray solution further comprises a propellant. The pH of the nasal spray solution is preferably between pH 6.8 and 7.2. Nonoxynol-9 ("N-9") has been found to be particularly useful for intranasal administration of insulin. N-9 is a polyoxyethylated alkyl phenol, the polyoxyethylene condensate of nonylphenol with 9 mols of ethylene oxide. This surfactant has been used in detergent products and is sold under trade names, such as, Surfonic® N-95 (Jefferson), Neutronyx® 600 (Onyx) and Igepal® C0-630 (GAF). N-9 is considered to be a hard detergent. N-9 has also been used as a spermatocide (The Merck Index, 10th Edition, Entry 6518). In compositions according to the present invention, the nonionic surfactant is preferably present at a concentration of from 0.05 to 0.9% by weight and polysorbate-80 is preferably present at a concentration of from 0.01 to 0.5% by weight. An especially preferred composition comprises 0.5% by weight of a solution that is 10:90 polysorbate 80:N-9 wt:wt to yield a final concentration of 0.05% polysorbate-80 and 0.45% N-9 by weight. Peptides which can be intranasally administered according to the present invention include insulin, cholecystokinin ("CCK"), lutenizing hormone releasing hormone ("LHRH") and analogs thereof somastostatin and analogs thereof and atrial natriueutic factor ("ANF") and analogs thereof. Steroids which can be intranasally administered according to the present invention include female sex steroids, glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. The desired concentration of the steroid or peptide in compositions according to the present invention, can be readily determined by those skilled in the art of pharmacology. Compositions according to the present invention for the nasal administration of insulin are preferably effective in reducing blood glucose levels by from 40% to 60% of the pre-dose blood glucose level within 45 to 60 minutes. Nasal spray solutions of the present invention, comprise the steroid or peptide to be administered, a nonionic surfactant which enhances nasal absorption of the drug and polysorbate-80, together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers therefor and optionally other thereapeutic ingredients. The carrier(s) must be "acceptable" in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not deleterious to the recipient thereof. Such carriers are well known to those skilled in the art of pharmacology. Desirably, the formulation should not include oxidizing agents and other substances with which the drug(s) to be administered are known to be incompatible. The formulations may be prepared by any of the methods well known in the art of pharmacy. All methods according to the present invention include the step of bringing into association the drug or drugs to be delivered, a nonionic surfactant which enhances absorption of the steroid or peptide, and polysorbate-80 with the carrier which may constitute one or more accessory ingredients. In general, the formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing into association the nonionic surfactant, polysorbate-80 and drug. Formulations according to the present invention suitable for nasal administration of drugs conveniently comprise sterile aqueous solutions of the drug or drugs to be administered, a nonionic surfactant which enhances absorption of the steroid or peptide and polysorbate-80, which solutions are preferably in the range of pH 6.8 to 7.2. Such formulations may be conveniently prepared by dissolving compositions according to the present invention in water to produce an aqueous solution, and rendering said solution sterile. The formulations may be presented in multi-dose containers, for example in the sealed dispensing system disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,511,069. Various irritation studies have been carried out to determine the effect on nasal irritation of the addition of varying amounts of polysorbate-80 to nasal spray solutions containing the steroid or peptide to be delivered and a nonionic surfactant to promote absorption of the steroid or peptide. It was found, for example, that although administration of a nasal spray solution containing insulin and 0.75% by weight of the surfactant nonoxynol-9 produced acceptable blood glucose level reduction, the subject reported nasal irritation and stinging. When the formulation of the nasal spray solution included 0.75% by weight of a solution of polysorbate-80/nonoxynol-9 (10:90, wt:wt) the subject reported no nasal irritation and blood glucose level reduction was comparable. Chronic irritation studies, i.e., longer than 5 days, using polysorbate-80 according to the present invention have also been carrried out. These studies show that the addition of polysorbate-80 to the nasal spray solution reduces chronic irritation. The invention will be further understood with reference to the following examples. In the examples, unless otherwise noted, percentages are by weight. Polysorbate-80 is sometimes designated P-80 and nonoxynol-9 is sometimes designated N-9. Blood Glucose Reduction is designated BGR. EXAMPLE I (A) A metabolic study was carried out on three normal fasting volunteers. Each group received insulin at 1 U/kg body weight administered nasally from a spray solution comprising 0.1%, 0.25% or 0.75% N-9. Each subject reported nasal irritation in terms of initial stinging and congestion. (B) A similar metabolic study was carried out on ten fasting normal subjects. Each subject received insulin at 1 U/kg body weight administered nasally from a spray solution comprising 0.5% of a solution of P-80:N-9, 1:3, ( a final concentration of 0.125% P-80 and 0.385% N-9). Two out of the ten subjects reported minor congestion. EXAMPLE II Irritation Studies Studies were carried out to determine the effect on nasal irritation of the addition of varying amounts of polysorbate-80 to nasal spray solutions containing N-9. The spray solution in these irritation studies did not contain insulin. In each study ten normal subjects were treated with one squirt (about 0.15 ml) of the nasal spray solution three times a day for ten consecutive days. After administration, the subjects were questioned about any symptoms and findings recorded. The nasal passages were examined on the fifth and tenth days of treatment by an ENT (eyes, nose and throat) specialist and findings recorded. The nasal spray solutions used in the study comprised 1% of a mixture of polysorborate-80:N-9, 1:9, wt:wt; 0.5% of a mixture of polysorbate-80:N-9, 1:9, wt:wt; 0.25% of a mixture of polysorbate-80:N-9, 1:9, wt:wt; 1% of a mixture of polysorbate-80:N-9, 1:3, wt:wt; 0.5% of a mixture of polysorbate-80:N-9, 1:3, wt:wt; 0.25% of a mixture of polysorbate-80:N-9, 1:3, wt:wt; 0.1% N-9 or a saline placebo. All of the nasal spray solutions produced minor changes in nasal mucosa and minor symptomatic complaints but the number encountered with 0.5% P-80:N-9, 1:9, and 0.5% P-80:N-9:1:3 (4 out of 10 subjects in each group) most closely paralleled the saline placebo (7 out of 20 subjects). It was found that the fewest number of symptomatic complaints occurred in the 0.5% P-80:N-9,1:3 (final concentration of 0.05% P-80 and 0.45% N-9) group (o subjects), followed by 2 subjects each in the 0.5% P-80:N-9, 1:9 and 0.25% P-80:N-9, 1:9 groups. The fewest number of ENT findings were observed in the 0.5% P-80:N-9 (1:3) group (3 subjects). It was also found that with both the 0.5% P-80:N-9 (1:9) and (1:3) groups no subject had both ENT findings and symptomatic complaints. Of the group who received pure N-9 at a final concentration of 0.1%, 3 reported symptomatic complaints and 3 ENT findings were observed. One subject had both symptomatic complaints and ENT findings. EXAMPLE III The aerosol nasal spray solution of insulin used in this example contained commercially available regular porcine insulin (Eli Lilly) 0.1M NaH₂PO₄-N₂O buffer, and varying concentrations of polysorbate-80 and nonoxynol-9. Stock solutions containing 10:90, 50:50 and 25:75 (wt:wt) polysorbate 80: nonoxynol-9 were prepared and added to the spray solution to a final concentration of 0.1% to 0.75% by weight. Nitrous oxide (Union Carbide, New York) was used as the propellant. Metered does of aerosolized insulin calibrated at 10 percent (10%) constancy of dose were delivered by means of a specially constructed mechanical pump valve (U.S. Patent No. 4,511, 069). This hand-held delivery device is uniquely nonvented so that the sterility of the solution in the aerosol container is maintained indefinitely. Diabetic subjects were dosed with between 0.56 to 1.2 units insulin/kg body weight depending upon factors such as individual sensitivity, weight of the diabetic subject and the size/composition of the meal consumed. Blood was taken from each subject every 15 minutes with plasma glucose being measured on a Yellow Springs glucose analyzer (YSF 23A). The serum insulin level was determined by radioimmunoassay with use of antibody-coated insulin-assay tubes from Micromedic (Horsham, Pa.). Test Surfactant % Conc. Minutes Dosage U/Kg % BGR 1 N-9 (100%) 0.25% 60 1.2 45.4 2 N-9 (100%) 0.75% 45 0.56 69.6 3 P80/N-9 (50:50%) 0.50% 75 1.2 37.9 4 P80/N-9 (25:75%) 0.10% 30 1.0 14.0 5 P80/N-9 (25:75%) 0.25% 60 1.2 51.5 6 P80/N-9 (25:75%) 0.50% 30 1.1 59.2 7 P80/N-9 (10:90%) 0.50% 45 0.81 47.0 8 P80/N-9 (10:90%) 0.75% 30 1.2 57.9 EXAMPLE IV The nasal spray solution of insulin was prepared and the subjects dosed as described in Example III. Blood glucose values were measured as described in Example III. Surfactant % Conc. Units/Kg Insulin Blood Glucose Values/Min. Dose 0 30 45 60 75 P80/N-9 (50:50%) 0.50 1.0 95 84 72 61 59 P80/N-9 (25:75%) 0.25 1.0 99 73 57 48 54 0.50 1.0 94 58 53 58 1.0 1.0 73 46 39 45 P80/N-9 (10:90%) 0.25 1.0 86 36 55 69 0.50 1.0 83 60 44 50 0.75 1.0 76 32 N-9 (100%) 0.10 1.0 99 59 37 38 0.25 1.0 99 74 58 54 0.75 1.0 92 48 28 38 Control Insulin (No Surf.) -- 1.0 84 85 80

Claims: Claims for the following Contracting States : BE, CH, DE, FR, GB, IT, LI, LU, NL, SE A composition for intranasal administration comprising a solution of at least one peptide or steroid, polysorbate-80 and a nonionic surfactant which enhances absorption of the peptide or steroid, said surfactant being selected from nonoxynol-9, laureth-9, poloxamer-124, octoxynol-9 or lauramide-DEA. A composition according to claim 1 where the polysorbate-80 and nonionic surfactant are present in a ratio of 10:90, weight:weight. A composition according to claim 1 where the polysorbate-80 and nonionic surfactant are present in a ratio of 25:75, weight:weight. A composition according to claim 1 where the polysorbate-80 and nonionic surfactant are present in a ratio of 50:50, weight:weight. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the polysorbate-80 is at a concentration of between 0.01 to 0.5% by weight and the nonionic surfactant is at a concentration of between 0.05 and 0.9% by weight. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the polysorbate-80 is at a concentration of 0.05% by weight and the nonionic surfactant is at a concentration of 0.45% by weight. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the polysorbate-80 is at a concentration of 0.125% by weight and the nonionic surfactant is at a concentration of 0.385% by weight. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the polysorbate-80 is at a concentration of 0.25% by weight and the nonionic surfactant is at a concentration of 0.25% by weight. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the peptide comprises insulin, ANF, LHRH or CCK. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the steroid comprises a female sex steroid, glucocorticoid or mineralocorticoid. Claims for the following Contracting States : AT, ES A process for the production of a solution composition for intranasal administration comprising mixing at least one peptide or steroid, polysorbate-80 and a nonionic surfactant which enhances absorption of the peptide or steroid, said surfactant being selected from nonoxynol-9, laureth-9, poloxamer-124, octoxynol-9 or lauramide-DEA. A process according to claim 1 where the polysorbate-80 and nonionic surfactant are present in a ratio of 10:90, weight:weight. A process according to claim 1 where the polysorbate-80 and nonionic surfactant are present in a ratio of 25:75, weight:weight. A process according to claim 1 where the polysorbate-80 and nonionic surfactant are present in a ratio of 50:50, weight:weight. A process according to claim 1 wherein the polysorbate-80 is at a concentration of between 0.01 to 0.5% by weight and the nonionic surfactant is at a concentration of between 0.05 and 0.9% by weight. A process according to claim 1 wherein the polysorbate-80 is at a concentration of 0.05% by weight and the nonionic surfactant is at a concentration of 0.45% by weight. A process according to claim 1 wherein the polysorbate-80 is at a concentration of 0.125% by weight and the nonionic surfactant is at a concentration of 0.385% by weight. A process according to claim 1 wherein the polysorbate-80 is at a concentration of 0.25% by weight and the nonionic surfactant is at a concentration of 0.25% by weight. A process according to claim 1 wherein the peptide comprises insulin, ANF, LHRH or CCK. A process according to claim 1 wherein the steroid comprises a female sex steroid, glucocorticoid or mineralocorticoid.

Inventors: STOLTZ, EDWIN I.
Applicants: FISONS CORPORATION
Application year: 1987
Main classification: A61K47
IPC codes: A61K38, A61K47, A61K9, A61K31, A61K45