Topical carbamazepine formulations

Abstract

A therapeutic formulation comprises a topically acceptable semisolid vehicle and carbamazepine, the vehicle consisting of components that are compatible with the carbamazepine, and the carbamazepine being in a concentration sufficient to permit a therapeutically effective amount of the carbamazepine to be absorbed from the formulation into the skin of a patient. The vehicle may be a cream, ointment, or gel. A method of treating a skin condition of a patient such as psoriasis comprises applying carbamazepine topically to the patient's skin until the condition improves. A method of administering carbamazepine to a patient comprises applying a formulation comprising carbamazepine topically to the patient's skin.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A therapeutic formulation comprising a topically acceptable non-solid vehicle and carbamazepine, the vehicle consisting of components that are compatible with the carbamazepine, and the carbamazepine being in a concentration sufficient to permit a therapeutically effective amount of the carbamazepine to be absorbed from the formulation into the skin of a patient.  
     
     
         2 . A formulation according to  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is a cream, ointment, liquid, lotion, or gel.  
     
     
         3 . A formulation according to  claim 1 , wherein the carbamazepine has a concentration high enough to be effective as applied but not so high as to cause systemic side effects.  
     
     
         4 . A formulation according to  claim 1 , wherein the carbamazepine has a concentration between about 0.05% and about 20%.  
     
     
         5 . A formulation according to  claim 1 , wherein the carbamazepine has a concentration between about 1% and about 6%.  
     
     
         6 . A method of treating a skin condition of a patient comprising applying carbamazepine topically to the patient's skin repeatedly until the condition improves.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the condition is psoriasis.  
     
     
         8 . A method of administering carbamazepine to a patient comprising applying the carbamazepine locally.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8  comprising applying carbamazepine in a topically acceptable vehicle topically to the patient's skin.