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.

1 . A method for delivering a drug to the pulmonary system of a patient comprising, administering a drug selected from alprazolam and loxapine to the respiratory tract of the patient in need of the drug, wherein the drug is delivered to the deep lung of the pulmonary system and wherein the drug is delivered in a dose that is therapeutically effective for treating a disorder of the central nervous system. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dose that is therapeutically effective for treating a disorder of the central nervous system is at least about two times less than the dose required by oral administration of the drug. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the drug is delivered to the pulmonary system in the form of particles. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the particles delivered to the pulmonary system have an aerodynamic diameter ranging from about 1 μm to about 5 μm. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the particles delivered to the pulmonary system have an aerodynamic diameter in the range from about 1 μm to about 3 μm. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the particles deliver at least about 10 milligrams of the drug to the pulmonary system. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the drug is delivered to the pulmonary system in a single, breath activated step. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the particles consist essentially of the drug. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the particles consist of the drug.