TOPICAL NASAL TREATMENT

Abstract: Allergic rhinitis is treated by topical applications of desloratadine, alone or together with a corticosteroid.

Description: TOPICAL NASAL TREATMENT FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the treatment of nasal disorders, and more particularly to topical treatments using an antihistamine, alone or together with a corticosteroid. INTRODUCTION TO THE INVENTION Allergic disorders are very prevalent throughout the world, causing a very significant cost to society for therapy and in the form of worker absenteeism and decreased worker productivity. These Illnesses are frequently manifested in the form of acute or chronic rhinitis, sometimes also described, respectively, as seasonal and perennial rhinitis. The symptoms of allergic rhinitis may include any number of: reddening of the eyes; ocular secretions; nasal congestion; ocular and palatial irritation; sneezing; and hypersecretion. Symptoms typically occur very promptly following exposure to allergens, of which the most common are grass, pollens and mold spores. The incidence of allergic rhinitis is greater during the spring and summer months, but some persons suffer the symptoms -during the entire year, with exacerbations during the spring and summer. When airborne allergens interact with specific antibodies attached to mast cell membranes, the mast cells react by releasing histamine, in a process called degranulation. Histamine is a potent vasodilator and increases microvascular permeability, allowing plasma flow into extravascular spaces and thereby causing edema. Antihistamines, administered systemically alone or together with sympathomimetic decongestants, have traditionally been the drugs of choice in treating allergic rhinitis. Other forms of therapy have included the use of topically applied cromolyn sodium, hypertonlc salt solutions or immunόtherapy. Antihistamines have also been applied directly to nasal tissues. Reports of experiments using the antihistamine azatadine are given by R. M. Naclerio et al., "In Vivo Model for the Evaluation of Topical Antiallergic Medications," Archives of Otolaryngology, Vol. 110, pp. 25-27, 1984, and by A. G. Togias et al., "Demonstration of Inhibition of Mediator Release from Human Mast Cells by Azatadine Base, In Vivo and In Vitro Evaluation," Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 255, pp.225-229, 1986. A currently available commercial product provides azelastine in an aqueous based nasal spray form. In addition, Hagen et al. in U.S. Patent 4,787,612 discloses nasal corticosteroid therapy as an effective means of treating allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. European Patent Application 0780 127 A1 discloses nasal spray compositions containing both a glucocorticosteroid and an antihistamine possessing leukotriene inhibiting properties, for treating rhinoconjunctivitis. International Patent Application WO 97/46243 discloses pharmaceutical compositions for nasal administration, comprising a glucocorticoid and a fast acting antihistamine, for treating allergic rhinitis. Notwithstanding the many disclosures in the area of allergic rhinitis, there remains a need for compositions which can be applied topically to provide improved symptomatic rhinitis relief with a very low incidence of adverse effects, particularly sedation. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the topical treatment of nasal disorders comprising administering an effective amount of desloratadine, alone or together with an effective amount of a corticosteroid. Treatment can be effected using intranasal compositions which are aqueous or nonaqueous. The present invention also relates to a method for treating symptoms associated with seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, comprising administering to nasal tissues rhinitis treatment-effective effective amounts of desloratadine, alone or together with an effective amount of a corticosteroid. The active substances may be administered together or separately. However, it is preferred that they be administered together, most preferably in a single formulation. While it is possible that some portion of the topically applied drugs will develop systemic concentrations, such as by absorption through nasal or other mucous membranes or through the gastrointestinal tract after being swallowed, the desired treatment effect at least initially results from an external contact of the applied drugs with the nasal tissues. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The symptoms of allergic rhinitis usually include ocular and palatial irritation, ocular secretions, reddening of the eyes, sneezing, mucoid hypersecretion and itching. A later manifestation of the condition is nasal congestion. The allergic rhinitis can be of the seasonal or perennial types. Other types of rhinitis, such as vasomotor rhinitis, exhibit some of the same symptoms and typically respond in varying degrees to similar treatment. Various "antihistamines" have been known since the 1940's. These agents, while differing in their chemical structures, are histamine Hi receptor antagonists which bind to those receptors and thereby prevent the binding of histamine. The more modern antihistamines have a greatly reduced potential for crossing the blood-brain barrier, so do not possess the well known sedation potential of many of the older agents. Among the known antihistamines are three having a close chemical structure relationship: azatadine, loratadine and desloratadine (also known as "descarboethoxyloratadine" or "DCL"). Their common structure is as follows: where azatadine has a -CH 3 group for Ri and hydrogen for R 2 ; loratadine has a -C(0)OCH 2 CH 3 group for R-i and chlorine for R 2 ; and desloratadine has hydrogen for Ri and chlorine for R 2 . Azatadine is a potent topical (i.e., locally acting) antihistamine, as recognized in the above-described papers by Naclerio et al. and Togias et al. However, the drug has a marked sedation potential in many people; the Togias et al. paper reports drowsiness in one of the eight subjects tested. Both loratadine and desloratadine have a greatly reduced sedation potential, as compared to azatadine, so would generally be preferred. Loratadine is asserted in European Patent Application 0 780 127 A1 as being useful in topical compositions, but the present inventors have not found a useful degree of topical activity for this drug. The literature does not report anything concerning topical activity for desloratadine, although International Patent Application WO 96/20708 does mention topical dosing; this topical dosing, given the context, apparently relates to an alternative means for achieving effective systemic amounts of the drug. Therefore, it is considered that topical (i.e., local) antihistaminic efficacy is not a predictable property of compounds having this general chemical structure. Corticosteroids which are useful in the present invention have potent glucocorticoid activity and weak mineralocorticoid activity. These agents affect the inflammatory condition that eventually results from the allergic response. The corticosteroid agents presently preferred in the invention include one or more of betamethasone, dexamethasone, beclomethasone, flunisolide, triamcinolone, fluticasone, mometasone and budesonide, the mention of any base drug specifically including hydrates and other addition compounds thereof, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The following representative drug compounds are currently commercially available in the United States: betamethasone acetate, dipropionate and sodium phosphate; dexamethasone base, acetate and sodium phosphate; beclomethasone dipropionate; flunisolide base; triamcinolone acetonide, diacetate and hexacetonide; fluticasone propionate; mometasone foroate and furoate monohydrate; and budesonide base. Due to its very low systemic bioavailability, mometasone (generally used in the form of its furoate, or as the furoate monohydrate) is particularly advantageous. Mometasone furoate monohydrate is commercially formulated as an aqueous nasal spray suspension, and sold using the NASONEX™ name. The corticosteroid and desloratadine will each be administered in a pharmaceutically acceptable intranasal carrier. Preferably, the active substances would be present in an aqueous carrier, dissolved therein to provide an easily attainable physical stability during storage and dose reproducibility. However, certain of the useful corticosteroids are quite insoluble in aqueous media. Desloratadine also has limited solubility in aqueous media. If preparation of a solution is not feasible, then the aqueous carrier will be used to form a suspension formulation having one or more active ingredients uniformly dispersed therein, in the form of a micronized powder. Either type of aqueous formulation can be conveniently packaged in spray bottles, preferably those having metering pump delivery means; it is highly desirable to use such devices to deliver reproducible amounts of the formulation, since the drugs are quite potent. The desired degree of isotonicity of the aqueous compositions of this invention may be accomplished using, for example, sodium chloride or other pharmaceutically acceptable agents such as dextrose, boric acid, citric acid, sodium tartrate, sodium phosphate, potassium phosphate, propylene glycol or other inorganic or organic solutes or mixtures thereof. Sodium chloride is preferred particularly for buffers containing sodium ions. Further examples of sodium chloride equivalents are disclosed in A. R. Gennaro, Ed., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pennsylvania U.S.A., (1990) at pages 1491-1497. Viscosity of the compositions may be maintained at the selected level using a thickening agent. Suitable thickening agents include, for example, xanthan gum, carrageenan, blends of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and the like, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Mixtures of thickening agents may also be used. The concentration of the thickener will vary, depending upon the agent selected. The important consideration is to use an amount that will achieve the desired viscosity. Viscous compositions are normally prepared from solutions or suspensions by the addition of such thickening agents. For suspension products, agents which produce thixotropic compositions are preferable, since such compositions promote suspension stability; many particulates tend to aggregate when they do not remain suspended, and become difficult to re- disperse. Preferred compositions within the scope of this invention will contain from about 0.01% to about 10% of a humectant to inhibit drying of the mucous membranes and to prevent irritation. A variety of pharmaceutically-acceptable humectants are useful including, for example, sorbitol, propylene glycol, glycerol or mixtures thereof. As with the thickeners, the concentration will vary with the selected agent, although the presence or absence of these agents, or their concentration, is not an essential feature of the invention. A pharmaceutically-acceptable preservative is generally employed to increase the shelf life of the compositions of the present invention. Benzyl alcohol is suitable, although a variety of other preservatives including, for example, parabens, phenylethyl alcohol, thimerosal, chlorobutanol, phenylmecuric acetate and benzalkonium chloride may be employed. A suitable concentration of the preservative will be from 0.001 % to 2% by weight, although there may be appreciable variation depending upon the agent selected. Mixtures of preservatives may also be used. A variety of additional, optional ingredients may be added to the topical nasal compositions of the present Invention. These additional ingredients include various polymers for aiding the film-forming properties and substantivity of the formulation, antioxidants, and agents suitable for aesthetic purposes such as fragrances. Another preferred form for nasally administered drugs is the pressurized metered dose inhaler. These products usually utilize a low-boiling chlorofluorocarbon or fluorohydrocarbon propellant, into which the drug substances may be dissolved (sometimes with the aid of a cosolvent, such as an alcohol) or suspended. Since chlorofluorocarbon propellants are regarded as being harmful to the environment, it is presently preferred to use a fluorohydrocarbon alternative such as 1 ,1 ,1 ,2-Tetrafluoroethane ("HFC-134a") or 1 ,1 ,1 , 2,3,3, 3-Heρtafluoropropane ("HFC-227"). The formulation is contained in a pressure-resistant container, such as a polymeric, glass or aluminum canister, and fitted with a metering valve which releases a fixed volume of the composition with each actuation. Of course, additives are commonly used to provide valve lubrication, assist in maintaining a stable solution or suspension, and for other functions. For these formulations, it is frequently desirable to chemically modify the drug substance; beclomethasone dipropionate, for example, is typically used in pressurized aerosols in the form of a micronized addition compound (such as a solvate or clathrate) with a molecule of the chlorofluorocarbon or fluorohydrocarbon propellant. Surfactants are frequently incorporated into pressurized aerosol formulations to aid in maintaining a stable dispersion of components and to assist with maintaining proper metering valve function. The commonly used oleic acid is suitable, in concentrations which will provide up to about 50 μg with each actuation of the valve. Since it is always desired to minimize the amounts of inactive substances in a medication, the lowest concentration which yields the desired effect should be used. Other useful surfactants include, without limitation thereto, sorbitan trioleate, cetyl pyridinium chloride, soya lecithin, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene (10) stearyl ether, polyoxyethylene (2) oleyl ether, polyoxyethylene- polyoxypropylene-ethylenediamine block copolymers, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers, castor oil ethoxylate and mixtures of any two or more. In choosing a surfactant system, it is generally preferable that the surfactant is soluble in the propellant or in an alcohol-propellant solution. For any desired surfactant, simple experiments to measure drug delivery reproducibility can be employed to identify the optimum amount of surfactant for any given formulation and delivery system. The choice of suitable carrier forms will depend on the exact nature of the particular nasal dosage form required, e.g., whether the drug(s) will be formulated into a nasal solution (for use as drops or as a spray), a nasal suspension, a nasal ointment, a nasal gel or another nasal form. Some of these forms, however, will be less susceptible to reproducible dose measurement and uniform application to the nasal mucosa. In making the choices of dosage form, it should be kept in mind that the object of treatment is to affect allergic and inflammatory processes in nasal tissues, and not to provide any maximized systemic levels of the drugs. It will be advantageous to use a composition which will distribute over a maximum area of the nasal mucosal tissues, thus generally favoring the sprayed dosage forms. In the present invention, the corticosteroid is typically present in a topical nasal dosage form at concentrations about 0.001% to about 0.2%, preferably about 0.01 % to about 0.1 %. Desloratadine is typically present at concentrations about 0.05% to about 10%, preferably about 0.2% to about 5%. Preferably the composition is applied to the nasal mucosa via topical application of a safe and effective amount to treat the undesired nasal symptoms. The amount of the desloratadine and corticosteroid and frequency of topical application to the nasal mucosa may vary, depending upon personal or medical needs, but it is suggested, as an example, that the application ranges from about once per day to about four times daily, preferably no more than twice daily, and most preferably once daily. Typically, dosage units will be prepared to deliver from about 10 μg to about 1000 μg of the corticosteroid agent and from about 100 μg to about 5 mg of desloratadine per spray actuation or metered dose "puff." A typical dose comprises one to four sprays per nostril. For convenience considerations, it is generally preferred that each dose of the two drugs is administered at the same point in time, more preferably with both present in a single formulation. However, some corticosteroids may require dosing at different intervals than does desloratadine, so different formulations and dosing schedules may be used. Optional ingredients which are useful in the present invention include topically active decongestants. Decongestants useful in the present invention include the sympathomimetic amines, some examples of which are ephedrine, levmetamfetamine, propylhexedrine, xylometazoline, phenylephrine, naphazoline, oxymetazoline and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Mixtures of such decongestants are also useful. When used in the compositions of the present invention, the sympathomimetic agents may be incorporated at concentrations about 0.01% to about 0.5%, preferably from about 0.05% to about 0.1%. The compositions of the present invention may optionally also contain an antiallergic. Suitable antiallergics include, but are not limited to, cromolyn, which is believed to inhibit mast cell degranulation. Similarly, mucolytics such as acetylcysteine and antimuscarinics such as ipratropium bromide and tiotropium bromide may be incorporated into the compositions of the present invention. Also of optional use in the compositions of the present invention are nonopiate analgesics such as oxaprozin, acetaminophen, acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen, etedolac, fenbuprofen, fenoprofen, flurbiprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, naproxen, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, optically active racemates thereof and mixtures thereof. Synthetic opiate analgesics such as oxycodone, buprenorphine, meperidine, methadone, propoxyphene, pentazocine, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and mixtures thereof may be beneficially incorporated. Various aromatic components (e.g., aldehydes and esters) may also be used. These aromatics include, for example, menthol, camphor, eucalyptol, benzaldehyde (cherry, almond), citral (lemon, lime), neral, decanal (orange, lemon), aldehyde C-B, aldehyde 0-9 and aldehyde 0-12 (citrus fruits); tolyl aldehyde (cherry almond); 2,6-dlmethyl-octanal (green fruit); and 2-dodecenal (citrus, mandarin). Mixtures of such aromatics can also be used. It also frequently is desired to incorporate any of the well-known natural or synthetic flavoring agents, including, without limitation, mint or fruit flavors. The following examples further describe and demonstrate embodiments within the scope of the present invention. The examples are given solely for the purpose of illustration and are not to be construed as limitations to the presently claimed invention, as many variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. EXAMPLE 1 A 12 Kg batch of an aqueous nasal spray is prepared, using the following ingredients: Component Grams Mometasone furoate mono ihydrate, micronized 6 Desloratadine, micronized 1 Avicel™ RC-591 240 Glycerin 252 Citric acid 24 Sodium citrate 33.6 Polysorbate 80 1.2 Benzalkonium chloride 2.4 Phenylethyl alcohol 30 The composition is prepared using the following procedure: (a) the Avicel RC-591 (a mixture of microcrystalline cellulose and cellulose gum, sold by FMC Corporation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania U.S.A.) is dispersed in about 6 Kg of water and the glycerin is added; (b) the citric acid and sodium citrate is dissolved in about 250 grams of water, then added to the dispersion of step a; (c) the polysorbate 80 is dissolved in about 400 grams of water and, with continuous stirring, both of the drug substances are added; (d) the step c mixture is added to the step b dispersion; and (e) the benzalkonium chloride and phenylethyl alcohol are dispersed in a small amount of water and added to the step d mixture, then sufficient water is added to provide a total batch weight of 12 Kg. This suspension may be administered using a typical pump spray device, preferably delivering a volume of 100 microliters per actuation. EXAMPLE 2 Pressurized metered dose inhaler formulations are prepared using the ingredients mometasone furoate ("MF"), desloratadine ("DCL"), oleic acid ("OLEIC"), ethanol ("ETOH"), and the propellant 1 ,1 ,1 ,2,3,3,3- Heptafluoropropane ("HFC-227"), where the numerical representations given in the following table are weight percentages. FORMULA MF DCL OLEIC ETOH HFC-227 A 0.112 0.5 0.001 2.497 96.889 B 0.028 0.5 0 1.75 96.889 C 0.112 1 0.011 2.497 96.379 D 0.448 0.25 0 0 99.302 E 0.112 0.1 0 2.497 97.290 F 0.448 0.1 0.011 1.5 93.054 G 0.224 0.05 0.011 4 93.22 H 0.028 0.1 0.001 3 94.371 I 0.028 0.02 0.011 2.499 97.442 The aerosol formulations are prepared using any of the following procedures, or any equivalent thereof: (1) all components except the HFC-227 are charged into aerosol canisters, the canisters are chilled to a temperature below the boiling point of the propellant, the required amount of liquid propellant is added and metering valves are crimped onto the canisters; (2) all components except the HFC-227 are charged to aerosol canisters, metering valves are crimped onto the canisters and liquid propellant is charged into the canisters through the valves; or (3) a quantity of the formulation is prepared by mixing required amounts of the components in a suitable chilled environment, below the propellant boiling point, and the well-mixed formulation is charged into aerosol canisters which have previously been fitted with metering valves. EXAMPLE 3 Pressurized aerosol metered dose inhalers are prepared using the following formulations, where "BDP" is beclomethasone dipropionate, "DCL" is desloratadine, "ETOH" is ethanol and "HFC-134a" is the propellant 1 ,1 ,1 ,2- Tetrafluoroethane. FORMULA BDP DCL ETOH HFC-134a 1 0.1 2 5 92.9 2 0.3 °- 01 8 91.69 The drug substances are mixed with the ethanol and stirred or subjected to ultrasonic agitation to dissolve at least the BDP, and the mixture is placed into aerosol canisters. After chilling the canisters to a temperature below the boiling point of the propellant, the liquid propellant is measured into the canisters. Metering valves, designed to deliver 50 μL per actuation, are then crimped onto the canisters. EXAMPLE 4 The topical efficacy of desloratadine for preventing histamine-induced vascular permeability increases in nasal mucosa is compared with that for loratadine. Guinea pigs are anesthetized and Evans blue dye is administered intravenously, in amounts of 30 mg per Kg of body weight. After 5 minutes, a 100 μL quantity of either a vehicle (1 % by volume dimethylsulfoxide in an aqueous buffer which is 10 mM Na 2 HPθ 4 /NaH 2 P0 dissolved in 0.9% wt. NaCI, adjusted to pH 7.2) or a solution of antihistamine in the vehicle is instilled into the nares, using 50 μL per nostril. The nasal airway is occluded with a tracheal cannula, inserted in the cephalic direction, and ten minutes following the instilling of antihistamine or vehicle a perfusion of 1 mM histamine in the above-described buffer, at a rate of 0.2 mL minute, is run through the cannula for 30 minutes and the perfusate fluid exiting the external nares is collected. The concentration of dye in the perfusate is analyzed spectrophotometrically, higher dye concentrations indicating that higher degrees of microvascular permeability are caused by the exogenous histamine exposure. Results are as in the following table, showing mean values of percent inhibition of vasopermeability, as compared to that measured with only vehicle, for up to eight animals per dose tested. Drug Dose, μq % Inhibition Loratadine 1 13 3 41 10 49 30 10 Desloratadine 0.1 0 0.3 36 1 50 3 69 10 56 Desloratadine is approximately an order of magnitude more active in this test, than is loratadine. The seemingly anomalous results for the highest amounts of loratadine may be due to those amounts of the compounds not being completely soluble in 100 μL of the vehicle.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A method of treating rhinitis, comprising administering to the nasal mucosa topical rhinitis treatment-effective amounts of desloratadine, alone or together with a corticosteroid. 2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the corticosteroid is one or more members selected from the group consisting of betamethasone, dexamethasone, beclomethasone, flunisolide, triamcinolone, fluticasone, mometasone and budesonide, including hydrates and other addition compounds of any of the foregoing and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of any of the foregoing. 3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the corticosteroid is administered separately from desloratadine. 4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the corticosteroid and desloratadine are administered in a single dosage form. 5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the corticosteroid comprises beclomethasone. 6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the corticosteroid comprises mometasone. 7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the corticosteroid comprises mometasone furoate and treatment comprises administering an aqueous nasal spray. 8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the corticosteroid comprises mometasone furoate and treatment comprises administering a pressurized metered dose aerosol. 9. The method of claim 1 , wherein there are administered daily from about 100 μg to about 5 mg of desloratadine, per nostril. 10. The method of claim 1 , wherein there are administered daily from about 10 μg to about 1000 μg of the corticosteroid and from about 100 μg to about 5 mg of desloratadine, per nostril. 11. A fluid composition comprising desloratadine and a corticosteroid, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 12. The composition of claim 11 , wherein one or both of desloratadine and the corticosteroid is present in suspended particles. 13. The composition of claim 11 , wherein the corticosteroid is present in suspended particles. 14. The composition of claim 11 , wherein the carrier comprises an aqueous medium. 15. The composition of claim 11 , wherein the carrier comprises a low- boiling chlorofluorocarbon or fluorohydrocarbon propellant. 16. The composition of claim 11 , wherein the corticosteroid is one or more members selected from the group consisting of betamethasone, dexamethasone, beclomethasone, flunisolide, triamcinolone, fluticasone, mometasone and budesonide, including hydrates and other addition compounds of any of the foregoing and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of any of the foregoing. 17. The composition of claim 11 , wherein the corticosteroid is beclomethasone. 18. The composition of claim 11 , wherein the corticosteroid is mometasone. 19. A method of treating rhinitis, comprising administering to the nasal mucosa topical rhinitis treatment-effective amounts of desloratadine and a corticosteroid. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the corticosteroid is one or more members selected from the group consisting of betamethasone, dexamethasone, beclomethasone, flunisolide, triamcinolone, fluticasone, mometasone and budesonide, including hydrates and other addition compounds of any of the foregoing and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of any of the foregoing. 21. The method of claim 19, wherein the corticosteroid is beclomethasone. 22. The method of claim 19, wherein the corticosteroid is mometasone.

Inventors: ANDRZEJEWSKI STEPHEN J, KREUTNER WILLIAM, ANDRZEJEWSKI, STEPHEN, J., KREUTNER, WILLIAM
Applicants: SCHERING CORP, SCHERING CORPORATION
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A61K31
IPC codes: A61K9, A61K31, A61P11, A61P27, A61P29, A61P43