Method for treating hypercholesterolemia with polyallylamine polymers

Abstract

A method for removing bile salts from a patient that includes administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a non-absorbable amine polymers characterized by a repeat unit having the formula: and salts thereof, where n is a positive integer and x is zero or an integer between 1 and about 4.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for removing bile salts from a patient comprising administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of one or more crosslinked polymers characterized by a repeat unit having the formula:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       and salts, where n is a positive integer and x is zero or an integer between 1 and about 4, said polymer characterized in that the polymer is substantially free of alkylated amine monomers.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said polymer is crosslinked by means of a multifunctional crosslinking agent, said agent being present in an amount from about 0.5-25% by weight, based upon the combined weight of monomer and crosslinking agent.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said crosslinking agent is present in an amount from about 2.5-20% by weight, based upon the combined weight of monomer and crosslinking agent.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said crosslinking agent comprises epichlorohydrin.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the polymer is a homopolymer.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein x is 1.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein x is 0.  
     
     
         8 . A method of removing bile salts from a patient comprising administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of cross-linked homopolyallylamine.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said cross-linked homopolyallylamine is crosslinked by means of a multifunctional crosslinking agent, said agent being present in an amount from about 1-25% by weight, based upon the combined weight of monomer and crosslinking agent.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said crosslinking agent is present in an amount from about 2.5-20% by weight, based upon the combined weight of monomer and crosslinking agent.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said crosslinking agent comprises epichlorohydrin.  
     
     
         12 . A method of removing bile salts from a patient comprising administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of cross-linked homopolyvinylamine.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said cross-linked homopolyvinylamine is crosslinked by means of a multifunctional crosslinking agent, said agent being present in an amount from about 1-25% by weight, based upon the combined weight of monomer and crosslinking agent.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said crosslinking agent is present in an amount from about 2.5-20% by weight, based upon the combined weight of monomer and crosslinking agent.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said crosslinking agent comprises epichlorohydrin.