Methods for administration and formulations for the treatment of regional adipose tissue

Abstract

Provided herein are pharmaceutical formulations, methods, and systems for treating regional fat deposits and fat-related conditions and indications. Methods comprise administering a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a long-acting beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist, for example, salmeterol, suitable for subcutaneous administration. Formulations comprise a pharmaceutical formulation that is suitable for subcutaneous injection comprising: (a) a lipophilic long-acting selective beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist, or a salt thereof; and (b) at least one subcutaneously acceptable inactive ingredient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An aqueous formulation comprising a formulation suitable for subcutaneous injection that comprises:
 (a) an adipose tissue-reducing lipophilic long-acting selective beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist or a salt thereof, that comprises a dose of up to about 5 micrograms of the agonist and that is suitable for subcutaneous injection; and   (b) at least one subcutaneously acceptable inactive ingredient.   
     
     
         2 . The formulation of  claim 1  wherein the formulation is formulated as a dose of about 5 ng to about 5 micrograms. 
     
     
         3 . The formulation of  claim 1  wherein the formulation is formulated to be administered using a single needle, multiple needles, or a needleless injection device. 
     
     
         4 . The formulation of  claim 1  wherein the dose of the beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist is formulated to be administered through at least 2 sub-doses. 
     
     
         5 . The formulation of  claim 1  wherein the dose of the beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist is formulated to be administered through at least 10 sub-doses. 
     
     
         6 . The formulation of  claim 1  wherein the lipophilic long-acting selective beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist is salmeterol xinafoate. 
     
     
         7 . The formulation of  claim 6  wherein the dose of salmeterol xinafoate is formulated to be administered through at least 2 sub-doses. 
     
     
         8 . The formulation of  claim 7  wherein a single sub-dose comprises about 20 nanograms of salmeterol xinafoate. 
     
     
         9 . A method of treating a patient who has excess adipose tissue or reducing adipose tissue in a patient comprising subcutaneously administering to said patient a pharmaceutical formulation that is suitable for subcutaneous injection, the formulation comprising:
 (a) an adipose tissue-reducing lipophilic long-acting selective beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist or a salt thereof, that comprises a dose of up to about 5 micrograms of the agonist; and   (b) at least one subcutaneously acceptable inactive ingredient.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the formulation is administered as a dose of about 5 ng to about 5 micrograms of the beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the dose of the beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist is administered through at least 2 sub-doses. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the lipophilic long-acting selective beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist is salmeterol xinafoate. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the dose of salmeterol xinafoate is administered through at least 10 sub-doses. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the method is a method of treating a patient who has excess adipose tissue. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the method is a method of reducing adipose tissue in a patient.