Pharmaceutical preparations of glutathione and methods of administration thereof

Abstract

A method of increasing glutathione levels in mammalian cells comprising administering an oral bolus of encapsulated pharmaceutically stabilized glutathione in a rapidly dissolving formulation to a mammal on an empty stomach. Pharmaceutical formulations including glutathione are also disclosed.

1 - 59 . (canceled)  
   
   
       60 . A pharmaceutical formulation, comprising Glutathione, in combination with an effective amount of one or more of a pharmaceutically acceptable composition selected from an analgesic composition or an anti-inflammatory composition.  
   
   
       61 . The formulation according to  claim 60 , wherein metabolism of the composition is associated with generation of free radicals.  
   
   
       62 . The formulation according to  claim 60 , wherein the composition is associated with glutathione consumption.  
   
   
       63 . The formulation according to  claim 60 , wherein the composition is present in an effective amount to treat an inflammatory disease of an adult human.  
   
   
       64 . The formulation according to  claim 60 , wherein the composition is present in an effective amount to treat pain in an adult human.  
   
   
       65 . The formulation according to  claim 60 , wherein the glutathione is present in an effective amount to reduce toxicity of the composition.  
   
   
       66 . The formulation according to  claim 60 , wherein the glutathione is present in an effective amount to modulate an immune response.  
   
   
       67 . The formulation according to  claim 60 , wherein the glutathione is present in an effective amount to reduce a toxicity from a free radical burst associated with a primary immune response.  
   
   
       68 . The formulation according to  claim 60 , wherein the composition comprises a steroid drug.  
   
   
       69 . The formulation according to  claim 60 , wherein the composition comprises a glucocorticoid.  
   
   
       70 . The formulation according to  claim 60 , wherein the composition comprises an opiate.  
   
   
       71 . The formulation according to  claim 60 , wherein the composition comprises a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).  
   
   
       72 . The formulation according to  claim 60 , wherein the composition comprises at least one agent selected from the group consisting of: an opium narcotic, meperidine, propoxyphene, nalbuphine, pentazocine, buprenorphine, asprin, indomethacin, diflunisal, acetominophen, paracetamol, phenacetin, ibuprofen, naproxen, fenoprofen, piroxicam, sulindac, tolmetin, meclofenamate, zomepirac, penicillamine, phenylbutazone, oxyphenbutazone, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, azathiaprine, cyclophosphamide, levamisole, prednisone, prednisolone, betamethasone, triamcinolone, or methylprednisolone.  
   
   
       73 . The formulation according to  claim 60 , further comprising an effective amount of at least one of an antibiotic or an antiviral agent.  
   
   
       74 . The formulation according to  claim 60 , further comprising an effective amount of a nitric oxide precursor.  
   
   
       75 . The formulation according to  claim 60 , wherein said formulation is provided in a unit dose oral formulation.  
   
   
       76 . The formulation according to  claim 60 , wherein the glutathione is pharmaceutically stabilized with a sacrificial antioxidant.  
   
   
       77 . The formulation according to  claim 60 , further comprising an effective amount of ascorbic acid to pharmaceutically stabilize the glutathione.  
   
   
       78 . A packaged oral pharmaceutical formulation comprising a plurality of unit dosage forms, each dosage form comprising glutathione and an effective amount of one or more of a pharmaceutically acceptable composition selected from an analgesic composition or an anti-inflammatory composition, said dosage forms of said formulation being stabilized to prevent oxidation of a substantial amount of said glutathione prior to administration thereof.  
   
   
       79 . The formulation according to  claim 78 , wherein said formulation is stabilized by admixture of glutathione with reduced ascorbic acid.  
   
   
       80 . The formulation according to  claim 78 , wherein said formulation is stabilized within a gas barrier package.