Pulmonary delivery in treating disorders of the central nervous system

Abstract

A method for treating a disorder of the central nervous system includes administering to the respiratory tract of a patient a drug which is delivered to the pulmonary system, for instance to the alveoli or the deep lung. The drug is administered at a dose which is at least about two-fold less than the dose required by oral administration. Particles that include the drug can be employed. Preferred particles have a tap density of less than about 0.4 g/cm 3 . In addition to the medicament, the particles can include other materials such as, for example, phospholipids, amino acids, combinations thereof and others.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for treating a disorder of the central nervous system comprising administering to the respiratory tract of a patient in need of treatment alprazolam for treating said disorder, wherein the alprazolam is administered in a dose that is at least about two times less than that required by oral administration and wherein delivery is to the pulmonary system.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein delivery is to the alveoli region of the pulmonary system.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein administering is for rescue therapy.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the alprazolam is present in dry powder particles.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the alprazolam is present in the dry powder particles in an amount of at least 20 weight percent.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the alprazolam is present in the dry powder particles in an amount of at least 40 weight percent.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the alprazolam is present in the dry powder particles in an amount of at least 50 weight percent.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the particles have a tap density of less than about 0.4 g/cm 3 .  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the particles have a mass median aerodynamic diameter of less than about 5 microns.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the particles have a mass median geometric diameter greater than about 5 microns.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the particles have a mass median aerodynamic diameter of less than about 3 microns.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the particles include a phospholipid.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the particles include citrate and a multivalent salt.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the particles include an amino acid.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the amino acid is leucine.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the particles are administered via a dry powder inhaler.