Delivery of unstable pharmaceuticals

Abstract

A device for the delivery of unstable pharmaceutical preparations is disclosed. The device includes an upper container for receiving a first component of the preparation and a lower container for receiving a second component of the preparation. The first and second components are unstable when mixed. Advantageous preparations for use in the device are also disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for the delivery of a pharmaceutical preparation having a first component and a second component, comprising: 
 an upper container for receiving said first component and having a bottom, said first component comprising an unstable anti-infective agent;    a lower container for receiving a second component, said second component comprising a liquid carrier for said first component;    a tubular sleeve movably disposed within said upper container; and    a cap rotationally coupled to said upper container;    wherein when said cap is screwed onto said upper container, said tubular sleeve tears said bottom of said upper container to place said first component in communication with said second component.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said first component comprises a liquid.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said first component comprises a powder.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said liquid carrier comprises a pharmaceutically active agent.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said second component comprises polysorbate 80 and benzalkonium chloride, and wherein said polysorbate 80 minimizes any instability of said benzalkonium chloride due to gamma radiation and allows said device to be sterilized by gamma radiation.  
     
     
         6 . device for the delivery of a pharmaceutical preparation having a first component and a second component, comprising: 
 an upper container for receiving a first component and having a bottom, said first component comprising a first pharmaceutically active agent;    a lower container for receiving a second component unstable in said first component, said second component comprising a second pharmaceutically active agent;    a tubular sleeve movably disposed within said upper container; and    a cap rotationally coupled to said upper container;    wherein when said cap is screwed onto said upper container, said tubular sleeve tears said bottom of said upper container to place said first component in communication with said second component.    
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein said first pharmaceutically active agent comprises an anti-inflammatory agent, and said second pharmaceutically active agent comprises an anti-infective agent.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6  wherein said first pharmaceutically active agent comprises an anti-infective agent, and said second pharmaceutically active agent comprises an anti-inflammatory agent.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 6  wherein said first component and said second component are liquids.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 6  wherein said first component is a liquid and second second component is a powder.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 6  wherein said first component is a powder and said second component is a liquid.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said unstable anti-infective agent comprises an antibiotic selected from the group consisting of trimethoprims, polymyxin B sulfate, beta-lactams, oxazolidinones, macrolides, keytolides, tetracyclines, and pristinomycins.