Pharmaceutical compositions containing lipase inhibitors

Abstract

A pharmaceutical composition comprises at least one inhibitor of lipases, preferably an inhibitor of gastrointestinal and pancreatic lipases, such as orlistat, at least one surfactant, and at least one dispersant.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising (i) at least one lipase inhibitor, (ii) at least one non-ionic or zwitterionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of vitamin E polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene stearates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene castor oils, polyglycolyzed glycerides, transesterified and (poly)ethoxylated oils, sorbitan fatty acid esters, poloxamers, fatty acids salts, bile salts, alkylsulfates, lecithins, mixed micelles of bile salts and lecithins, sugar esters, and mixtures thereof., and (iii) at least one dispersant.  
     
     
         2 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of vitamin E polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate, polyethoxylated castor oil, and polyethylene glycol 40 stearate.  
     
     
         3 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is present in an amount of at least 0.1% of the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         4 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 3 , wherein the surfactant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 90% of the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         5 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispersant is a water-soluble dispersant.  
     
     
         6 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 5 , wherein the dispersant is selected from the group consisting of sugars, sugar alcohols, alcohols, effervescents, excipients, capsule disintegrants, tablet disintegrants, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 6 , wherein the dispersant is chosen from the group consisting of glucose, sorbitol, mannitol, maltodextrin, lactose, sucrose, polyethylenglycol, glycerol, triacetin, glycofurol, effervescents, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 7 , wherein the dispersant is chosen from the group consisting of sorbitol, mannitol, maltodextrin, lactose, sucrose, polyethylenglycol, glycerol, triacetin, glycofurol, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispersant is a lipid-soluble compound that is liquid at body temperature.  
     
     
         10 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 9 , wherein the lipid-soluble compound is chosen from the group consisting of triglycerides, modified triglycerides, diglycerides, modified digliclycerides, monoglycerides, modified monoglycerides, mixtures of modified or non-modified di/mono/triglycerides, vitamin E, tocopherol acetate, terpenes, squalene, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 10 , wherein the lipid-soluble compound is chosen from the group consisting of triglycerides, diglycerides, monoglycerides, mixtures of mono/di/triglycerides, vitamin E, tocopherol acetate, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 11 , wherein the lipid-soluble compound is a medium chain triglyceride or a mixture of medium chain triglycerides.  
     
     
         13 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispersant is present in an amount of at least 5% of the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         14 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 13 , wherein the dispersant is present in amounts varying between 5% and 70% of the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         15 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispersant is a lipid-soluble compound present in an amount varying between 20 and 90% of the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         16 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 1 , which comprises at least two surfactants.  
     
     
         17 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the lipase inhibitor is an inhibitor of gastrointestinal and pancreatic lipases.  
     
     
         18 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 17 , wherein the inhibitor of gastrointestinal lipases is orlistat.  
     
     
         19 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the lipase inhibitor is present in an amount from 1% to 50% of the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         20 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 19 , wherein the lipase inhibitor is present in an amount from 5% to 30% of the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         21 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 1  further comprising pharmaceutically acceptable excipients selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, antioxidants, co-solvents, as well as thickening agents, preservatives, and lubricants.  
     
     
         22 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 1 , which comprises 
 a) 1% to 50% lipase inhibitor of the total weight of the composition    b) 5% to 70% of at least one dispersant of the total weight of the composition and    c) 0.1% to 90% of at least one surfactant of the total weight of the composition.    
     
     
         23 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 22  further comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.