Digestive pharmaceutical composition comprising S-carboxymethyl cysteine for reducing viscosity of respiratory tract secretions, and method of treating therewith

Abstract

S-carboxymethyl cysteine has been proposed for administration in nasal sprays, nasal drops or aerosols in otolyaryngology and in pneumology. When administered by the digestive route, this compound has the unexpected effect of reducing the viscosity of secretions of the respiratory tract. Administration to patients may be at a level of 1.5 to 3g per day in the form of a syrup, gelatine-coated pills or capsules, tablets or suppositories, in which other active materials, e.g., antibiotics, antihistamine drugs, corticoids or bronchodilators, may also be present.

We claim:  .[. 
     
       1.  A pharmaceutical preparation in dosage unit form, adapted for administration by the digestive route for the reduction of viscosity of secretions of the respiratory tract, selected from the group consisting of a suppository, syrup, pill, capsule, or tablet and comprising, per dosage unit, an effective amount of S-carboxymethyl cysteine to accomplish said reduction, and   a pharmaceutical diluent..].   
     
     
       2. The preparation of claim .[.1,.]. .Iadd.19, .Iaddend.wherein said dosage unit is based upon a daily dosage of from about 1.5 to 3 grams of S-carboxymethyl cysteine. 
     
     
       3. A preparation of claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.19 .Iaddend.which is a suppository. 
     
     
       4. A preparation of claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.19 .Iaddend.which is adapted for oral administration. 
     
     
       5. A preparation of claim 1 which includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of antibiotics, antihistamine drugs, corticoids and bronchodilators.  .[.6. A mucolytic pharmaeceutical composition, for the reduction of viscosity of secretions of the respiratory tract, in dosage unit form, comprising, per dosage unit, S-carboxymethyl cysteine (S-CMC) in a mucolytically effective amount together with a pharmaceutical 
     
     
        diluent, said pharmaceutical dosage form being an oral dosage form..]. 7. A method of reducing a viscosity of secretions of the respiratory tract, which comprises administering to a patient an effective amount of S-carboxymethyl cysteine, by the digestive route, in a form selected from the group consisting of a   
     
     
        suppository, syrup, pill, capsule, or tablet. 8. The method of claim 7, 
     
     
        wherein the daily dosage is from 1.5 to 3 grams. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the S-carboxymethyl cysteine is administered as a suppository. 
     
     
            The method of claim 7, wherein said S-carboxymethyl cysteine is 
     
     
        administered orally. 11. The method of claim 7, wherein said S-carboxymethyl cysteine is administered with at least one member selected from the group consisting of antibiotics, antihistamine drugs, corticoids 
     
     
        and bronchodilators. 12. A method of reducing the viscosity of secretions of the respiratory tract, with comprises administering to a patient an effective amount of S-carboxymethyl cysteine, by the digestive route, said effective amount being a daily dosage of at   
     
     
        least 1.5 grams. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the daily dosage is 
     
     
        1.5 to 3 grams. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the dosage is administered orally. .Iadd. 15. The preparation of claim 19, wherein said unit dosage form is based upon a daily dosage of at least 1.5 grams. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 16. The preparation of claim 20, wherein said unit dosage form is based upon a daily dosage of at least 1.5 grams. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 17. The preparation of claim 15, containing about .2 to .5 gram per dosage unit. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 18. The preparation of claim 16, containing about .2 to .5 gram per dosage unit. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 19. A pharmaceutical preparation in dosage unit form adapted for administration by the digestive route and for the reduction of viscosity of secretions of the respiratory tract, selected from the group consisting of a suppository, syrup, pill, capsule, or tablet and comprising, per dosage unit, an effective amount of S-carboxymethyl cysteine to accomplish said reduction, and a pharmaceutical diluent. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 20. A mucolytic pharmaceutical composition for the reduction of viscosity of secretions of the respiratory tract, in dosage unit form and comprising, per dosage unit, S-carboxymethyl cysteine (S-CMC) in a mucolytically effective amount together with a pharmaceutical diluent, said pharmaceutical dosage form being an oral dosage form..Iaddend.