Spray foam product

Abstract

A method applying a pharmaceutical composition as a foam is disclosed. The pharmaceutical composition includes a quick-break foaming agent including an aliphatic alcohol, water, a fatty alcohol and a surface active agent; a buffering agent; and a propellant. The method includes spraying the composition from a pressurizable container that comprises an aerosol valve assembly including a dip tube communicating with a valve orifice through which the composition is dispensed and an actuator to start and stop dispensation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of applying a pharmaceutical composition as a foam to a skin area to be treated that comprises the steps of:
 a) spraying a pharmaceutical composition comprising an active ingredient dissolved or dispersed in a quick-break foaming agent and a propellant, said spray emanating in a substantially conical shape at a dispense rate of about 0.3 to about 2 g/sec from a pressurizable container comprising an aerosol valve assembly that includes dip tube extending from the aerosol valve assembly in communication with an orifice through which said pharmaceutical composition can be dispensed and an actuator having a diameter of approximately 0.013 inches to 0.020 inches at the point of actuation to start and stop foam dispensation, wherein said spray forms a foam having an initial density of about 0.12 to about 0.25 g/mL and which collapses thereafter into a liquid when in contact with a skin area to be treated;   b) dispersing the sprayed pharmaceutical composition on the skin area to be treated; and   c) maintaining said sprayed pharmaceutical composition on the skin area to be treated until said composition has been absorbed by the skin.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said quick-break foaming agent comprises (a) a straight or branched chain C 1 -C 4  aliphatic alcohol present at about 55 to about 70% w/w composition, (b) water present at about 25 to about 40% w/w, (c) a fatty alcohol present at about 1 to about 3% w/w, and (d) a nonionic surface active agent having an HLB value of about 14 to about 16 present at about 0.3 to about 5% w/w. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said spray is dispensed at a rate of about 0.5 to about 1 g/sec and provides a foam having an initial density of about 0.12 to about 0.2 g/mL when sprayed at a distance of about 5 to about 10 cm from the valve orifice at ambient room temperature. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said foam provides an average foam bubble diameter of about 5 to about 40 μm, with at least about 80 percent of the bubbles having a diameter of less than 40 μm when dispensed from a distance of about 5 to about 10 cm at ambient room temperature. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said foam provides an average foam bubble diameter of about 10 to about 25 μm. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said pharmaceutical composition further includes a fragrance. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said actuator has a diameter of approximately 0.013 inches at the point of actuation. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said pharmaceutical composition is sprayed directly onto a hand for application or to the skin area to be treated.