Inhaler for smoking cessation

Abstract

An alkaloid composition for an inhaler contains a solvent and at least about 25 wt. % anatabine based on the total alkaloid weight of the composition. The alkaloid composition may be contained in a refilling cartridge for an inhaler, or in a container as part of a kit for refilling an inhaler. The alkaloid compositions disclosed herein feature a balanced form of alkaloids to provide an attractive alternative to smoking tobacco, in which nicotine makes up about 90 wt. % of the total alkaloid content. The alkaloid compositions are characterized by a significant quantity of anatabine, which has lower toxicity than other alkaloids such as nicotine. The alkaloid compositions enable individuals to experience the pleasure-enhancing attributes of conventional cigarette smoking, while avoiding exposure to combusted materials and other potentially hazardous components present in tobacco.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A refilling cartridge for an inhaler containing an alkaloid composition comprising at least about 25 wt. % anatabine based on the total alkaloid weight of the composition. 
     
     
         2 . The refilling cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the anatabine is synthetic anatabine. 
     
     
         3 . The refilling cartridge of  claim 1  wherein anatabine is provided in the form of an extract of a plant selected from the group consisting of tobacco, datura, mandrake, belladonna, capsicum, potato, tomato, nicotiana, eggplant, and petunia. 
     
     
         4 . The refilling cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the alkaloid composition further comprises an alkaloid selected from the group consisting of nicotine, nornicotine, anabasine, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The refilling cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein anatabine comprises at least about 50 wt. % of the total alkaloid weight of the composition. 
     
     
         6 . The refilling cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein anatabine comprises at least about 75 wt. % of the total alkaloid weight of the composition. 
     
     
         7 . The refilling cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein anatabine comprises 100 wt. % of the total alkaloid weight of the composition. 
     
     
         8 . An inhaler comprising the refilling cartridge of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . A kit for refilling an inhaler comprising:
 an alkaloid composition comprising at least about 25 wt. % anatabine based on the total alkaloid weight of the composition; and   instructions for filling the alkaloid composition into a receptacle of an inhaler.   
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the alkaloid composition further comprises an alkaloid selected from the group consisting of nicotine, nornicotine, anabasine, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein anatabine comprises at least about 50 wt. % of the total alkaloid weight of the composition. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein anatabine comprises at least about 75 wt. % of the total alkaloid weight of the composition. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein anatabine comprises 100 wt. % of the total alkaloid weight of the composition. 
     
     
         14 . An inhaler comprising a cartridge containing an alkaloid composition comprising at least about 25 wt. % anatabine based on the total alkaloid weight of the composition. 
     
     
         15 . The inhaler of  claim 14 , wherein the alkaloid composition further comprises an alkaloid selected from the group consisting of nicotine, nornicotine, anabasine, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The inhaler of  claim 14 , wherein anatabine comprises at least about 50 wt. % of the total alkaloid weight of the composition. 
     
     
         17 . The inhaler of  claim 14 , wherein anatabine comprises at least about 75 wt. % of the total alkaloid weight of the composition. 
     
     
         18 . The inhaler of  claim 14 , wherein anatabine comprises 100 wt. % of the total alkaloid weight of the composition. 
     
     
         19 . The inhaler of  claim 14 , which comprises a high pressure chamber coupled to an equalization chamber; wherein the high pressure contains a compressed mixture of helium and oxygen and includes a housing defining a third chamber; wherein the housing includes an opening on a top portion thereof and a gas passage; wherein the third chamber communicates with both the high pressure chamber and the equalization chamber. 
     
     
         20 . The inhaler of  claim 14 , wherein the cartridge comprises a sealed thermoplastic tube which contains a dose of the alkaloid composition.