Pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of inner ear disorders

Abstract

The present invention provides compositions containing (i) a pharmaceutically active agent selected from a group consisting of an arylcycloalkyamine or a derivative, analogue or pharmaceutically active salt thereof, and (ii) a biocompatible polymer or a combination of biocompatible polymers. These compositions or medicaments containing these compositions may be used for the prevention and/or treatment of inner ear diseases, e.g. tinnitus.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A method of treating a inner ear disease comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a controlled release composition comprising a pharmaceutically active agent and a thermosetting polymer; wherein the pharmaceutically active agent is selected from NMDA receptor antagonists, and the thermosetting polymer has a gelation temperature of at least about 15° C. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the pharmaceutically active agent is suspended in the composition. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the composition is a suspension in which the pharmaceutically active agent is dispersed within the thermosetting polymer. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the thermosetting polymer is poloxamer. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the poloxamer is Lutrol F127 (poloxamer 407). 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the poloxamer has a concentration of about 20% (w/w). 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the composition provides controlled release of the pharmaceutically active agent over an extended period of time of one or more days. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the pharmaceutically active agent is gacyclidine. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the composition further comprises a phosphate which buffers the pH of the composition to about 7.4. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the composition is contained in a syringe optionally connected to a needle. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein a single dose of the composition in the syringe is about 200 μL to about 500 μL. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the composition is administered by inserting it into the middle ear. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the composition is administered by infusion, injection, or by deposition by means of a surgical instrument. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the inner ear disease is selected from the group consisting of tinnitus, hearing loss, inner ear inflammations or infections, auto-immune disorders, vertigo, and Meniere's Disease. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the tinnitus comprises cochlear tinnitus. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the inner ear disease is excitotoxicity-induced ear cell degeneration or age-induced ear cell degeneration. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the treatment comprises reducing the perception of tinnitus or sound.