Method and therapeutic/cosmetic topical compositions for the treatment of rosacea and skin erythema using a1-adrenoceptor agonists

Abstract

The present invention is directed to the treatment of skin erythema as exhibited in rosacea and other conditions characterized by increased erythema (redness) of the skin. These conditions exhibit dilation of blood vessels due to a cutaneous vascular hyper-reactivity. In particular, the present invention is directed to a novel composition and method for the treatment of skin erythema using α 1 -adrenergic receptor (α 1 -adrenoceptor) agonists incorporated into cosmetic, pharmacological or dermatological compositions for topical application to the skin.

1 .- 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method of treating or preventing rosacea and the symptoms associated therewith, the method comprising topically administering to the skin of a patient in need of such treatment or prevention, a composition comprising an agent selected from an alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonist, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the composition comprises about 0.01% to about 20% of the agent. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the composition comprises about 0.05% to about 30% of the agent. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the composition comprises about 0.1% to about 10% of the agent. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the agent is administered in a therapeutically effective amount. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the composition comprises about 50% to about 99.999% of the carrier. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the composition comprises about 70% to about 99.99% of the carrier. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the carrier is a hydrophilic gelling agent. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the carrier is selected from a carboxyvinyl polymer, an acrylic copolymer, polyacrylamide, polysaccharide or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the composition further comprises a vitamin, a hormone, an amino acid, a surfactant, a colorant, a dye, a pigment, a fragrance, an odor absorber, an antiseptic, a preservative, a bactericide, a humectant, a thickener, a solvent, a filler, an antioxidant, a sequestering agent, a sunscreen, an additive or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the agent is co-administered with at least one other active agent selected from an antibacterial agent, an antiparasitic agent, an antifungal agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an antihistamine, an anti-pruriginous agent, an anesthetic, an antiviral agent, a keratolytic agent, an anti free-radical agent, an antiseborrheic agent, an antidandruff agent, an antiacne agent, an sunscreen, an sun blocking agent, or an active agent which modifies at least one of cutaneous differentiation, proliferation, or pigmentation. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the agent is administered in a pharmacologically or cosmetically acceptable form selected from a solution, a gel, a lotion a cream, an ointment, a foam, an emulsion, a microemulsion, a milk, a serum, an aerosol, a spray, a dispersion, a microcapsule, a vesicle or a microparticle thereof. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the agent is co-administered with metronidazole, precipitated sulfur, sodium sulfacetamide, azelaic acid, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonist is brimonidine. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonist is brimonidine tartrate.