Compositions

Abstract

An ingestible particulate composition including at least one compound selected from the group consisting of 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol, amylmetacresol, cetylpyridinium chloride, hexitidine, hexylresorcinol, flurbiprofen, lidocaine, benzocaine, ibuprofen, paracetamol, pectin, menthol, and benzydamine and one or more bioadhesive materials. Resulting particulate compositions have excellent flow characteristics, dust suppression, organoleptic properties and stability. They are highly suitable for administration direction into a patient's mouth, and ingested to alleviate the symptoms of a sore throat.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ingestible particulate composition comprising:
 at least one pharmaceutically active compound selected from the group consisting of 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol, amylmetacresol, cetylpyridinium chloride, hexitidine, hexylresorcinol, flurbiprofen, lidocaine, benzocaine, ibuprofen, paracetamol, pectin, menthol, and benzydamine; and   one or more bioadhesive materials.   
     
     
         2 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a flowable particulate. 
     
     
         3 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one pharmaceutically active compound is selected from the group consisting of 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol, amylmetacresol, hexylresorcinol, and flurbiprofen. 
     
     
         4 . The composition according to  claim 1  further comprising a bicarbonate. 
     
     
         5 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one or more bioadhesive materials is a polymeric or oligomeric compound. 
     
     
         6 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a flow-aid. 
     
     
         7 . The composition according to  claim 1 , for use in a method of treatment of a human or animal body by therapy. 
     
     
         8 . The composition according to  claim 1  further comprising an organic acid. 
     
     
         9 . The composition as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the at least one pharmaceutically active compound is flurbiprofen. 
     
     
         10 . The composition as claimed in  claim 4  further comprising an organic acid, and wherein the bicarbonate is sodium bicarbonate. 
     
     
         11 . The composition as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the polymeric or oligomeric compounds have a molecular weight up to several million Daltons. 
     
     
         12 . The composition according to  claim 7 , for use in a method of treatment of sore throats. 
     
     
         13 . The composition as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the organic acid is citric acid. 
     
     
         14 . A single-pack dosage form comprising a single dose of the composition of  claim 1 , the single-pack dosage form being a targeted outlet pack which necessarily deposits the composition onto a small area within the mouth. 
     
     
         15 . The single-pack dosage form according to  claim 14 , being a stick-form sachet. 
     
     
         16 . A bulk pack comprising:
 a bulk source of the composition of  claim 1 ; and   dosage metering means or dosage information.   
     
     
         17 . A method of treating sore throat comprising orally administering to a subject an effective amount of the composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . A method of treating a patient comprising:
 providing a flowable particulate composition comprising:
 at least one pharmaceutically active compound selected from the group consisting of 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol, amylmetacresol, cetylpyridinium chloride, hexitidine, hexylresorcinol, flurbiprofen, lidocaine, benzocaine, ibuprofen, paracetamol, pectin, menthol, and benzydamine; and 
 one or more bioadhesive materials; and 
   administrating the composition into the mouth of a patient.   
     
     
         19 . A targeted outlet pack containing a single dose of an ingestible flowable particulate composition, the targeted outlet pack adapted to deposit the composition onto a small area within the mouth, the composition comprising:
 at least one pharmaceutically active compound selected from the group consisting of 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol, amylmetacresol, cetylpyridinium chloride, hexitidine, hexylresorcinol, flurbiprofen, lidocaine, benzocaine, ibuprofen, paracetamol, pectin, menthol, and benzydamine; and   one or more bioadhesive materials.   
     
     
         20 . A method of retaining a particulate composition comprising a pharmaceutically active compound in the oral cavity, the method comprising using a bioadhesive material to retain the composition. 
     
     
         21 . A method of improving the local effect of a pharmaceutically active compound by administering to an individual a particulate composition which comprises a pharmaceutically active compound and a bioadhesive material. 
     
     
         22 . The method as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the pharmaceutically active compound is selected from the group consisting of 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol, amylmetacresol, cetylpyridinium chloride, hexitidine, hexylresorcinol, flurbiprofen, lidocaine, benzocaine, ibuprofen, paracetamol, pectin, menthol, and benzydamine. 
     
     
         23 . The method as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the bioadhesive material is selected from the group consisting of carbomers, xanthan gums, locust bean gum, alginate, carageenan, and cellulose.