Composition for the relief of joint pain and myofascial pain and method of preparing same

Abstract

A stable, formulation comprising glucosamine and chondroitin compounds in a base which can be used for topical application to relieve joint pain and myofascial pain. A method of preparing the composition by adding the glucosamine and chondroitin after the rest of the components of the formulation have been mixed and heated is also disclosed.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A topical formulation comprising glucosamine and chondroitin in a substantially anhydrous base, wherein the formulation is stable for at least 10 days.  
     
     
         2 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the glucosamine is present in the form of glucosamine sulfate.  
     
     
         3 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the chondroitin is present in the form of chondroitin sulfate.  
     
     
         4 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises anhydrous lanolin.  
     
     
         5 . The formulation of  claim 4 , wherein the base further comprises menthol.  
     
     
         6 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises menthol.  
     
     
         7 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the formulation is stable for at least 30 days.  
     
     
         8 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the compound is stable for at least 60 days.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the chondroitin and the glucosamine are each independently present in an amount from about 0.01% to about 3% by weight.  
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the chondroitin and the glucosamine are each independently present in an amount about 0.05% to about 2% by weight.  
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the chondroitin and the glucosamine are each independently present in an amount from about 0.1% to about 1.5% by weight.  
     
     
         12 . A process for preparing a substantially anhydrous topical formulation comprising a base, chondroitin, and glucosamine which is stable for at least 10 days, the process comprising the following steps: 
 (a) mixing the components of the base, and heating the base to a temperature from about 120° F. to about 160° F.;    (b) letting the base from step (a) stand for a period of at least two hours at a temperature of about 50° F. to about 90° F.;    (c) mixing the chondroitin and the glucosamine into the mixture from step (b).    
     
     
         13 . The process according to  claim 12 , wherein the mixture from step (c) is allowed to stand for a period of at least 1 hour, followed by additional mixing.  
     
     
         14 . The process according to  claim 12 , wherein the mixing of step (a) occurs at a temperature from about 130° to 150° F.  
     
     
         15 . The process according to  claim 14 , wherein the mixing of step (a) occurs at a temperature of about 140° F.  
     
     
         16 . The process according to  claim 12 , wherein step (b) occurs at a temperature from about 60° F. to about 80° F.  
     
     
         17 . The process according to  claim 12 , wherein, in step (b), the base from step (a) is allowed to stand for at least 8 hours.  
     
     
         18 . The process according to  claim 17 , wherein, in step (b), the base from step (a) is allowed to stand for at least 12 hours.  
     
     
         19 . The process according to  claim 13 , wherein the mixture from step (c) is allowed to stand for about 2 hours, followed by about 2 hours of additional mixing.  
     
     
         20 . A formulation for topical formulation comprising an analgesic, chondroitin, and glucosamine.  
     
     
         21 . The formulation of  claim 20 , wherein the analgesic is menthol.  
     
     
         22 . The formulation of  claim 21 , wherein the chondroitin is present in the form of chondroitin sulfate, and the glucosamine is present in the form of glucosamine sulfate.  
     
     
         23 . A method for treating joint pain or myofascial pain comprising the application of an effective amount of the composition of  claim 1  to areas of the skin overlying the painful joint or soft tissue.