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 and water;    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 1  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 and water;    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 water; 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 retinoid is selected from the group consisting of retinol, retinoic acid, retinyl palmitate, retinyl propionate, retinyl acetate and synthetic retinoid mimetics.  
   
   
       8 . A method as in  claim 6  wherein the first active ingredient is benzoyl peroxide.  
   
   
       9 . A method as in  claim 8  wherein benzoyl peroxide comprises from about 0.1 to about 25 weight percent of the second composition.  
   
   
       10 . A method as in  claim 6  wherein the first active ingredient is an antibiotic.  
   
   
       11 . A method as in  claim 10  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.  
   
   
       12 . A method as in  claim 6  wherein the first composition is substantially anhydrous.