Topically applied clostridium botulinum toxin compositions and treatment methods

Abstract

Hyperactive glandular conditions are treated using topically formulated botulinum toxin compositions. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, topical botulinum preparations are applied directly to the skin by a patient as needed to suppress his or her hyperhidrosis, bromhidrosis, chromhidrosis, nevus sudoriferous, acne, seborrhiec dermatitis or other glandular condition. In other embodiments, topical botulinum toxins are applied with the aid of mechanical, electrical, and/or chemical transdermal delivery enhancers.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method of reducing dermal and subdermal glandular secretions, comprising the step of topically applying a therapeutically effective amount of a botulinum toxin to an affected area of a patient.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the botulinum toxin is selected from the group consisting of botulinum toxin types A, B, C, D, E, F, G, or mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said botulinum toxin is topically applied in conjunction with a transdermal delivery enhancer.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said transdermal delivery enhancer comprises a mechanical aid.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said mechanical aid comprises a water jet.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said transdermal delivery enhancer comprises an iontophoretic or electrophoretic device.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said transdermal delivery enhancer comprises a chemical agent.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said chemical agent is selected from the group consisting of a surfactant, lipid, aliphatic compound, liposome, niosome, micro-emulsion formulation, hyaluranidase, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         9 . A non-sterile composition for the treatment of conditions related to dermal and subdermal glandular secretions, the composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a botulinum toxin and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier that is suitable for topical application.  
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the botulinum toxin is selected from the group consisting of botulinum toxin types A, B, C, D, E, F, G, or mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises a surfactant, lipid, aliphatic compound, liposome, niosome, water or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein said conditions comprise acne, seborrheic dermatitis, hyperhidrosis, bromhidrosis, chromhidrosis, or nevus sudoriferous.  
     
     
         13 . A method of treating smooth muscle and sweat glands, comprising the step of topically applying a therapeutically effective amount of a non-sterile composition containing a botulinum toxin to an affected area of a patient.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the botulinum toxin is selected from the group consisting of botulinum toxin types A, B, C, D, E, F, G, or mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said composition is topically applied in conjunction with a transdermal delivery enhancer.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said transdermal delivery enhancer comprises a mechanical aid.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said mechanical aid comprises a water jet.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said transdermal delivery enhancer comprises an iontophoretic or electrophoretic device.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said transdermal delivery enhancer comprises a chemical agent.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said chemical agent is selected from the group consisting of a surfactant, lipid, aliphatic compound, liposome, niosome, micro-emulsion formulation, hyaluranidase, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said affected area presents indications of hyperhidrosis, bromhidrosis, chromhidrosis, or nevus sudoriferous.