Antibiotic/benzoyl peroxide dispenser

Abstract

Two separate compositions, one containing an effective anti-acne treating amount of a first active ingredient and one containing a second active ingredient that is incompatible with the first active ingredient are packaged within and dispensed from a common dispenser. By packaging these two active ingredients in this manner, long shelflife and convenient dispensing and application are provided.

1 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a first chamber containing a first composition, the first composition comprising an effective acne-treating amount of an antibiotic;    a second chamber containing a second composition comprising a retinoid;    pump means for moving the first and second compositions out of the first and second chambers; and    one or more outlets for dispensing the first and second compositions.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the retinoid is selected from the group consisting of retinol, retinoic acid, retinyl palmitate, retinyl propionate, retinyl acetate and synthetic retinoid mimetics.  
   
   
       3 . An apparatus as in  claim 2  wherein the antibiotic is selected from the group consisting of erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, derivatives of erythromycin, clindamycin or tetracycline and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of erythromycin, clindamycin or tetracycline.  
   
   
       4 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a first chamber containing a first composition, the first composition comprising an effective acne-treating amount of benzoyl peroxide;    a second chamber containing a second composition comprising a retinoid;    pump means for moving the first and second compositions out of the first and second chambers; and    one or more outlets for dispensing the first and second compositions.    
   
   
       5 . An apparatus as in  claim 4  wherein the retinoid is selected from the group consisting of retinol, retinoic acid, retinyl palmitate, retinyl propionate, retinyl acetate and synthetic retinoid mimetics.  
   
   
       6 . A method of treating acne comprising 
 simultaneously pumping a first composition and a second composition from first and second chambers, respectively,    the first composition comprising an effective acne-treating amount of a first active ingredient selected from the group consisting of antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide,    the second composition comprising a retinoid; and    contacting the first composition and second composition with the skin of a person afflicted with acne.    
   
   
       7 . A method as in  claim 6  wherein the first active ingredient is an antibiotic.  
   
   
       8 . A method as in  claim 7  wherein the antibiotic is selected from the group consisting of erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, derivatives of erythromycin, clindamycin or tetracycline and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of erythromycin, clindamycin or tetracycline.  
   
   
       9 . A method as in  claim 6  wherein the retinoid is selected from the group consisting of retinol, retinoic acid, retinyl palmitate, retinyl propionate, retinyl acetate and synthetic retinoid mimetics.  
   
   
       10 . A method as in  claim 6  wherein the first active ingredient is benzoyl peroxide.  
   
   
       11 . A method as in  claim 10  wherein benzoyl peroxide comprises from about 0.1 to about 25 weight percent of the second composition.  
   
   
       12 . A method as in  claim 6  wherein the first composition is substantially anhydrous.  
   
   
       13 . A method as in  claim 6  wherein the second composition is substantially anhydrous.