Nanoparticulate beclomethasone dipropionate compositions

Abstract

There is disclosed an aerosol comprising droplets of an aqueous dispersion of nanoparticles, said nanoparticles comprising insoluble therapeutic or diagnostic agent particles having a surface modifier on the surface thereof. There is also disclosed a method for making the aerosol and methods for treatment and diagnosis using the aerosol.

1 . An aerosol comprising droplets of an aqueous dispersion of nanoparticles, said nanoparticles comprising insoluble therapeutic or diagnostic agent particles having a surface modifier on the surface thereof.  
     
     
         2 . An aerosol according to  claim 1  wherein said therapeutic agent is beclomethasone dipropionate.  
     
     
         3 . An aerosol according to  claim 1  wherein said diagnostic agent is benzoic acid, 3,5-bis(acetylamino)2,4,6-triodo-, 4-(ethyl-3-ethoxy-2-butenoate) ester (WIN 68209).  
     
     
         4 . A method for forming an aerosol of an aqueous dispersion of nanoparticles, said nanoparticles comprising insoluble therapeutic or diagnostic agent particles having a surface modifier on the surface thereof, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a suspension of said nanoparticles; and    b) nebulizing said suspension so as to form an aerosol.    
     
     
         5 . A method of treating a mammal comprising the steps of: 
 a) forming an aerosol of an aqueous dispersion of nanoparticles, said nanoparticles comprising insoluble therapeutic agnet particles having a surface modifier oon the surface thereof;    b) administering said aerosol to the respiratory system of said mammal.    
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5  wherein said aerosol is administered in a manner such that it reaches the lung.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6  wherein said nanoparticles contain beclomethazone.  
     
     
         8 . A method of diagnosing a mammnal, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a) forming an aerosol of an aqueous dispersion of nanoparticles, said nanoparticles comprising insoluble diagnostic imaging agent particles having a surface modifier on the surface thereof; and    b) administering said aerosol to the respiratory system of said mammal; and    c) imaging said imaging agent in said respiratory system.    
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein said diagnostic imaging agent is benzoic acid, 3,5bis(acetylamino)-2,4,6-triodo-, 4-(ethyl-3-ethoxy-2butenoate) ester (WIN 68209).