Drug-containing implants and methods of use thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides implants comprising a therapeutic drug and a polymer containing polylactic acid (PLA) and optionally polyglycolic acid (PGA). The present invention also provides methods of maintaining a therapeutic level of a drug in a subject, releasing a therapeutic drug at a substantially linear rate, and treating schizophrenia and other diseases and disorders, utilizing implants of the present invention.

1 .- 81 . (canceled) 
     
     
         82 . An implant comprising a therapeutic drug and a polymer, said polymer comprising polylactic acid (PLA) and optionally polyglycolic acid (PGA) in a PLA:PGA molar ratio between 50:50 and 100:0, wherein said therapeutic drug is present in an amount of about 10%-30% (w/w), wherein the presence of said polymer in said implant extends the release duration of said therapeutic drug in a subject for a period of 1 to 6 months, and wherein said therapeutic drug is risperidone or 9-OH-risperidone. 
     
     
         83 . The implant of  claim 82 , wherein said drug is present in an amount of about 30% (w/w). 
     
     
         84 . The implant of  claim 82 , wherein said drug is present in an amount of about 20% (w/w). 
     
     
         85 . The implant of  claim 82 , wherein said drug is present in an amount of about 15% (w/w). 
     
     
         86 . The implant of  claim 82 , wherein said drug is present in an amount of about 10% (w/w). 
     
     
         87 . The implant of  claim 82 , wherein said drug is risperidone. 
     
     
         88 . The implant of  claim 82 , wherein said drug is 9-OH-risperidone 
     
     
         89 . The implant of  claim 82 , wherein said polymer is a biodegradable polymer. 
     
     
         90 . The implant of  claim 82 , wherein said polymer is present in an amount of about 40-70% (w/w). 
     
     
         91 . The implant of  claim 82 , wherein said polymer is present in an amount of about 35-75% (w/w). 
     
     
         92 . The implant of  claim 82 , wherein said implant is a subcutaneous implant. 
     
     
         93 . A method for treating schizophrenia in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising subcutaneously administering to the subject a composition for providing an implant comprising a therapeutic drug and a biodegradable polymer, said polymer comprising polylactic acid (PLA) and optionally polyglycolic acid (PGA) in a PLA:PGA molar ratio between 50:50 and 100:0, wherein said therapeutic drug is present in an amount of about 10%-30% (w/w), wherein the presence of said polymer in said implant extends the release duration of said therapeutic drug in a subject for a period of 1 to 6 months, and wherein said therapeutic drug is risperidone or 9-OH-risperidone. 
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein said drug is present in an amount of about 30% (w/w). 
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein said drug is present in an amount of about 20% (w/w). 
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein said drug is present in an amount of about 15% (w/w). 
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein said drug is present in an amount of about 10% (w/w). 
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein said drug is risperidone. 
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein said drug is 9-OH-risperidone 
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein said polymer is present in an amount of about 40-70% (w/w). 
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein said polymer is present in an amount of about 35-75% (w/w).