Methods and devices for the sustained release of multiple drugs

Abstract

The invention relates to an drug delivery device and a method for delivering multiple drugs over a prolonged period of time. The drug delivery device has two or more unitary segments comprising a drug-permeable polymeric substance, wherein at least one of the segments further comprises a pharmaceutically active agent. The invention also relates to a method for the treatment of a benign ovarian secretory disorder in a female mammal, a method of contraception, and a method of relieving the symptoms associated with menopausal, perimenopausal and post-menopausal periods in a woman.

1 . A method for delivering a drug to a female mammal, said method comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a drug delivery device comprising two or more unitary segments, wherein each unitary segment comprises a drug-permeable polymeric substance, and wherein at least one unitary segment comprises a mixture of the drug-permeable polymeric substance and a drug; (b) positioning in the vaginal tract of the female mammal the drug delivery device of step (a); and (c) maintaining the drug delivery device in the vaginal tract of the female mammal for a period of time sufficient to deliver an effective amount of the drug to the female mammal. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the drug-permeable polymeric substance is a thermoplastic polymer. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer is an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the drug is a hormone replacement steroid. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the drug is a contraceptive agent. 
     
     
         6 . The drug delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the drug is selected from the group consisting of: interferon, anti-angiogenesis factors, growth factors, hormones, enzymes, transferases, hydrolases, lysases, isomerases, proteases, ligases and oxidoreductases, enzyme inhibitors, steroids, anti-cancer drugs and antibiotics. 
     
     
         7 . The drug delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the drug is selected from the group consisting of: growth hormone, polysaccharides, antigens, and antibodies.