Nicotine Pouch

Abstract

A pouch designed for administration of an active ingredient in the oral cavity is disclosed, the pouch containing a matrix composition including a combination of nicotine and a water-soluble composition.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A pouch designed for administration of an active ingredient in an oral cavity, the pouch containing a matrix composition comprising a water-insoluble composition, and granules consisting of a combination of nicotine and sugar alcohol as a water-soluble carrier for the nicotine. 
     
     
         2 . The pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein said nicotine is provided as a complex between nicotine and an ion exchange resin. 
     
     
         3 . The pouch according to  claim 2 , wherein said complex between nicotine and the ion exchange resin is nicotine polacrilex resin (NPR). 
     
     
         4 . The pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein the nicotine is provided as a salt. 
     
     
         5 . The pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein the nicotine is provided as its base form. 
     
     
         6 . The pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein the matrix composition comprises a pH controlling agent. 
     
     
         7 . The pouch according to  claim 6 , wherein the pH controlling agent is a buffering agent. 
     
     
         8 . The pouch according to  claim 6 , wherein the pH controlling agent is a basic pH controlling agent. 
     
     
         9 . The pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein the matrix composition further comprises a release controlling composition. 
     
     
         10 . The pouch according to  claim 9 , wherein the matrix composition comprises said release controlling composition in an amount of between 1 and 20 percent by weight of said matrix composition. 
     
     
         11 . The pouch according to  claim 9 , wherein said matrix composition comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein said first and second portions have different contents of said release controlling composition. 
     
     
         12 . The pouch according to  claim 11 , wherein both of said first and second portions comprises nicotine. 
     
     
         13 . The pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein the pouch comprises a water-permeable membrane. 
     
     
         14 . The pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein said matrix composition comprises the nicotine in an amount of 0.1 to 30 percent by weight of said matrix composition. 
     
     
         15 . The pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein the pouch comprises a humectant. 
     
     
         16 . The pouch according to  claim 15 , wherein the humectant is selected from the group consisting of sugar alcohols, alginate, cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, pectin, xanthan gum, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein the pouch is free of tobacco. 
     
     
         18 . The pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein the water-insoluble composition comprises cellulose. 
     
     
         19 . The pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein the water-insoluble composition comprises microcrystalline cellulose. 
     
     
         20 . A pouch designed for administration of an active ingredient in an oral cavity, the pouch containing a matrix composition comprising granules consisting of a combination of nicotine and a water-soluble composition, wherein the water-soluble composition consists of sugar alcohol as a water-soluble carrier for the nicotine.