Pharmaceutical compositions of valdecoxib

Abstract

The present invention relates to novel crystalline forms of valdecoxib, to processes for their preparation and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising stable valdecoxib form I characterized by an x-ray powder diffraction pattern having peaks expressed as 2θ at about 9.7, 13.1, 14.0, 14.5, 17.0, 17.1, 17.7, 19.4, 20.9, 21.3, 21.8, 24.1, 25.4, 26.3 and 29.1 degrees and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. 
   
   
       16 - 17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 15 , wherein the valdecoxib form I is further characterized by an x-ray powder diffraction pattern as in  FIG. 1 . 
   
   
       19 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 15 , wherein the valdecoxib form I is prepared by a process which comprises the steps of: (a) dissolving valdecoxib in dimethyl formamide or N,N-dimethyl acetamide; and (b) isolating valdecoxib form I from the solution. 
   
   
       20 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 19 , wherein valdecoxib is dissolved in dimethyl formamide. 
   
   
       21 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 19 , wherein the solution formed in (a) is cooled to 25° C. to 30° C. and the separated crystals are collected by filtration or centrifugation.