Transdermal carrier

Abstract

Improved formulations for topical treatment that ensure at least localized transdermal or systemic delivery of an active agent through skin, nails or hair follicles are disclosed.

1 . A penetrant designed to provide the following components that collectively effect transdermal delivery of an active agent in a formulation of such agent: sufficient lecithin organogel, benzyl alcohol, surfactant and polar solvent to provide a formulation of said agent that comprises benzyl alcohol at 0.5-20% w/w of said formulation, lecithin organogel at 25-70% w/w of said formulation, nonionic surfactant at 2-25% w/w of said formulation and polar solvent at least in an amount in molar excess of the nonionic surfactant. 
     
     
         2 . A penetrant designed to provide the following components that collectively effect transdermal delivery of an active agent in a formulation of said agent: sufficient lecithin organogel and benzyl alcohol to provide a formulation of said agent, that comprises lecithin organogel at 30%-60% w/w of said formulation and benzyl alcohol at 0.5-20% w/w of said formulation, 
     
     
         3 . A penetrant designed to provide the following components that collectively effect transdermal delivery of an active agent in a formulation of said agent: sufficient lecithin organogel, benzyl alcohol, surfactant, and bile salt to provide a formulation of said agent that comprises benzyl alcohol at 0.5-20% w/w of said formulation, lecithin organogel at 25-70% w/w of said formulation, nonionic surfactant at 20-60% w/w of the formulation and bile salt at 1-15% w/w of the formulation, wherein the surfactant is provided in powdered form and the formulation is essentially anhydrous. 
     
     
         4 . A formulation for transdermal delivery of an active agent through the skin, nail or hair follicle of a subject, which formulation comprises at least one active agent in an amount effective for treatment of a condition in said subject and the penetrant of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         5 . A formulation for transdermal delivery of an active agent through the skin, nail or hair follicle of a subject, which formulation comprises at least one active agent in an amount effective for treatment of a condition in said subject and the penetrant of  claim 2 . 
     
     
         6 . A formulation for transdermal delivery of an active agent through the skin, nail or hair follicle of a subject, which formulation comprises at least one active agent in an amount effective for treatment of a condition in said subject and the penetrant of  claim 3 . 
     
     
         7 . The formulation of  claim 4  wherein the lecithin organogel is a combination of soy lecithin with isopropyl palmitate. 
     
     
         8 . The formulation of  claim 5  wherein the lecithin organogel is a combination of soy lecithin with isopropyl palmitate. 
     
     
         9 . The formulation of  claim 6  wherein the lecithin organogel is a combination of soy lecithin with isopropyl palmitate. 
     
     
         10 . The formulation of  claim 4  wherein the nonionic surfactant is a poloxamer and the polar solvent is water. 
     
     
         11 . The formulation of  claim 4  and/or wherein the formulation has a pH of 9-11. 
     
     
         12 . The formulation of  claim 5  wherein the formulation has a pH of 9-11. 
     
     
         13 . The formulation of  claim 6  wherein the formulation has a pH of 9-11. 
     
     
         14 . The formulation of  claim 4  wherein an active ingredient is an anesthetic, a fat-dissolving agent, a nutrient or nutrient combination, a tissue volume enhancer, a vaccine component, a hair growth modulator, an antifungal agent, an agent to promote smoking cessation, and/or a cannabinoid. 
     
     
         15 . The formulation of  claim 5  wherein an active ingredient is an anesthetic, a fat-dissolving agent, a nutrient or nutrient combination, a tissue volume enhancer, a vaccine component, a hair growth modulator, an antifungal agent, an agent to promote smoking cessation, and/or a cannabinoid. 
     
     
         16 . The formulation of  claim 6  wherein an active ingredient is an anesthetic, a fat-dissolving agent, a nutrient or nutrient combination, a tissue volume enhancer, a vaccine component, a hair growth modulator, an antifungal agent, an agent to promote smoking cessation, and/or a cannabinoid. 
     
     
         17 . A method to effect transdermal delivery of an active ingredient, which method comprises applying to the skin, nails or hair follicles of a subject an effective amount of the formulation of  claim 4 . 
     
     
         18 . A method to effect transdermal delivery of an active ingredient, which method comprises applying to the skin, nails or hair follicles of a subject an effective amount of the formulation of  claim 5 . 
     
     
         19 . A method to effect transdermal delivery of an active ingredient, which method comprises applying to the skin, nails or hair follicles of a subject an effective amount of the formulation of  claim 6 . 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said treating is of skin and which further includes, following said treating, applying a composition comprising linoleic acid to the area of treatment. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said treating is of skin and which further includes, following said treating, applying a composition comprising linoleic acid to the area of treatment. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said treating is of skin and which further includes, following said treating, applying a composition comprising linoleic acid to the area of treatment.