Nmda receptor antagonist formulation with reduced neurotoxicity

Abstract

The present invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions of effective amounts of NMDA receptor antagonists and preservative for the administration to a patient in need of effective analgesia and anesthesia. The compositions of the invention advantageously do not cause any significant neurotoxicity. The preferred NMDA receptor antagonist is ketamine. The preferred preservative is benzalkonium chloride.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising ketamine hydrochloride and about 0.001% to about 0.2% (w/v) benzalkonium chloride. 
     
     
         9 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 8 , wherein the benzalkonium chloride is present in an amount of 0.002% (w/v). 
     
     
         10 . A method of delivering ketamine through a nasal spray, comprising: administering to a nostril of a patient a number of sprays of a pharmaceutical composition; wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises ketamine hydrochloride and about 0.001% to
 about 0.2% (w/v) benzalkonium chloride.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein administering comprises administering ketamine hydrochloride at a dose of 0.01 mg/kg to 1 mg/kg. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the dose comprises from 0.05 mg/kg to 0.7 mg/kg ketamine hydrochloride. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein administering comprises administering ketamine hydrochloride at a dose of 1 mg/kg to 15 mg/kg. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the number of sprays is from 1 to 5.