Pulmonary Delivery for Levodopa

Abstract

In one aspect, the invention is related to a method of treating a patient with Parkinson's disease, the method including administering to the respiratory tract of the patient particles that include more than about 90 weight percent (wt %) of levodopa. The particles are delivered to the patient's pulmonary system, preferably to the alveoli or the deep lung.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition of dry powder particles formulated for pulmonary delivery comprising about 75 weight percent levodopa or more and sodium chloride. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the particles further comprise a phospholipid or a combination of phospholipids. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the particles have a tap density about 0.4 g/cm 3  or less. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the particles have a volume median geometric diameter about 5 micrometers or more. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the particles have an aerodynamic diameter of from about 1 micrometer to about 5 micrometers. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the particles have an aerodynamic diameter of from about 1 micrometer to about 3 micrometers. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the particles have an aerodynamic diameter of from about 3 micrometer to about 5 micrometers. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the particles have a tap density about 0.3 g/cm 3  or less. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the particles have a tap density about 0.2 g/cm 3  or less. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the particles have a tap density about 0.1 g/cm 3  or less. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the particles comprise about 10% or less by weight of sodium chloride. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the particles comprise about 5% or less by weight of sodium chloride. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the particles comprise about 2% or less by weight of sodium chloride. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the phospholipid is dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC). 
     
     
         15 . A composition of dry powder particles consisting essentially of about 75% or more levodopa, sodium chloride and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine. 
     
     
         16 . A composition of dry powder particles consisting essentially of levodopa, sodium chloride and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, wherein the ratio of levodopa:dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine:sodium chloride is about 90:8:2.