GB2033222A

GB2033222A - Topical Ophthalmic Composition

Info

Publication number: GB2033222A
Application number: GB7844165A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Allergan Pharmaceuticals Inc
Current assignee: Allergan Inc
Priority date: 1978-11-11
Filing date: 1978-11-11
Publication date: 1980-05-21

Abstract

An ophthalmic composition comprises a compound of formula: <IMAGE> where X is selected from the group consisting of -CH2-CH2-, -CH2- and -OCH2- and Y from the phenyl, P-methoxy phenyl and O- methoxy phenyl groups pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and a topically administrable ophthalmic pharmaceutical carrier. The composition lowers intraocular pressure in the eye and is used to treat glaucoma.

Description

SPECIFICATION Topical Ophthalmic Composition and Method of Use Technical Field The present invention relates to a topical ophthalmic composition and method for the therapeutic use thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a topical, ophthalmic composition useful in temporarily reducing intraocular pressure and alleviating the symptoms of glaucoma.

Background of Prior Art The active compounds described herein are known in the art, e.g., German Offen. 2,021,445.

Labetalol is the designated name for a compound having the structural formula

with the chemical name 5-[1-hydroxy-2(1-methyl-3-phenylpropyl)aminoethyljsalicylamide. Its method of manufacture is disclosed in German Offen. 2,032,642, the relevant portions of which are hereby incorporated by this reference. Labetalol is known to be a systemic inhibitor of both alpha and beta adrenergic receptors and has been used heretofore in the treatment of systemic hypertension.

Glaucoma is a condition of the eye characterized by increased intraocular pressure. Untreated, the condition eventually leads to irreversible retinal damage and blindness. Conventional therapy for glaucoma is with pilocarpine and/or epinephrine administered topically to the eye several times daily.

Brief Summary of Invention The present invention relates to a therapeutic composition comprising a topically administrable ophthalmic formulation containing an effective amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of a compound having the structural formula

wherein X is selected from the group consisting of CH2-CH2, Cm, and OCH2; and Y is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, P-methoxy phenyl and O-methoxy phenyl and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The present invention also relates to a method for temporarily reducing intraocular pressure in humans comprising topically administering to the eyes of a human an effective amount of the foregoing composition.

The present invention also relates to a method for temporarily alleviating the symptoms of glaucoma in humans comprising topically administering to the eyes of a human having glaucoma an effective amount of the foregoing composition.

Detailed Description of Invention Many physiologically and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds discussed above are known to those skilled in the art and all such salts may be employed in the present invention.

Examples of suitable acids to form salts with Labetalol include fumaric, hydrochloric, nitric, sulfuric and tartaric acids.

The concentration of the active compound which may be used in the present invention ranges from about 0.1 to about 5 percent and preferably from about 0.5 to about 2 percent by weight.

Suitable ophthalmic carriers are known to those skilled in the art and all such conventional carriers may be employed in the present invention. Thus, a particular carrier may take the form of a sterile, ophthalmic ointment, cream, gel, solution, or dispersion. Also including as suitable ophthalmic carriers are slow release polymers, e.g., "Ocusert" polymers, "Hydrogen" polymers, etc. Stabilizers may also be used such as, for example, chelating agents, e.g., EDTA. Antioxidants may also be used, e.g., sodium bisulfite, sodium thiosulfite, 8-hydroxy quinoline or ascorbic acid.Sterility typically will be maintained by conventional ophthalmic preservatives, e.g., chiorbutanol, benzalkonium chloride, cetylpyridium chloride, phenyl mercuric salts, thimerosal, etc., for aqueous formulations, and used in amounts which are non-toxic and which generally vary from about 0.001 to about 0.1% by weight of the aqueous solution. Conventional preservatives for ointments include methyl and propyl parabens.

Typical ointment bases include white petrolatum and mineral oil or liquid petrolatum. However, preserved aqueous carriers are preferred. Solutions may be manually delivered to the eye in suitable dosage form, e.g., eye drops, or delivered by suitable microdrop or spray apparatus typically affording a metered dose of medicament. Examples of suitable ophthalmic carriers include sterile, substantially isotonic, aqueous solutions containing minor amounts, i.e., less than about 5% by weight hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, glycerin and EDTA. The solutions are preferably maintained at substantially neutral pH and isotonic with appropriate amounts of conventional buffers, e.g., phosphate, borate, acetate, tris, etc.

A preferred ophthalmic composition is a preserved aqueous solution containing the following ingredients at the indicated concentration.

Labetalol Wt. percent 1.0 Stabilizer ,, 0.01 Preservative ,, 0.005 Buffer M 0.05 NaCI q.s. ad isotonic.

Water q.s. ad 100 percent.

The amount of the foregoing composition to be used in the therapeutic treatment of glaucoma will vary with the age of the patient and the severity of the glaucoma. Generally a dose level of one or two drops of the foregoing aqueous solution 1-4 times daily would be a suitable dosage amount.

Example The intraocular pressure of six aibino rabbits was measured tonometrically to obtain a baseline. A 1% isotonic, aqueous solution of Labetalol was prepared and 0.05 ml administered to the right eye of each rabbit. A similar volume of physiologic saline was placed in the left eye. At specified intervals (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 hours after treatment) the intraocular pressure of both eyes of each rabbit was measured tonometrically. The results are shown in Table I below.

Table I Intraocular Pressure (mm-Hg) Rabbit No. Eye Ohr. 0.5 hr. 1 her. 2 hr. 3hr. 4hr. 5hr.

1 R 24 21 21 19 22 23 24 L 25 24 27 24 24 24 26 2 R 24 17 19 20 21 22 24 L 24 24 25 21 21 25 22 3 R 28 16 18 19 20 21 22 L 27 26 26 24 23 22 23 4 R 26 19 19 21 20 19 23 L 24 22 21 22 20 19 21 5 R 22 18 17 19 24 21 22 L 22 29 22 22 25 21 22 6 R 27 22 23 21 20 21 24 L 26 26 26 23 23 24 24 Mean R 25 19 20 20 21 21 23 L 25 25 25 23 23 23 23 Mean +0.5 -6.0 -5.0 -3.0 -1.5 -1.0 0 diff. (R-L) Conclusions: Treatment of one eye of each six normal albino rabbits with 0.05 ml of a 1 % solution of Labetalol resulted in a significant decrease in 1 OP of the treated eye as compared to the control eye. The peak effect was seen 30 minutes after treatment.

Pressure values returned approximately to pretreatment levels within about five hours after treatment.

Claims

1. A therapeutic composition for topical ophthalmic use comprising an effective amount of a compound having the structural formula

wherein X is selected from the group consisting of CH2-CH2,CH2and OCH2; and Y is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, P-methoxy phenyl and O-methoxy phenyl and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a topically administrable ophthalmic carrier.

2. The composition of Claim 1 wherein the compound is Labetalol.

3. The composition of Claim 2 wherein an effective amount of Labetalol is between about 0.1 and about 5 percent.

4. The composition of Claim 2 wherein an effective amount of Labetalol is between about 0.5 and about 2 percent.

5. A composition comprising the following constituents in approximately the amounts stated: percent Labetalol 1.0 Preservative 0.005 NaCI q.s. ad Isotonic Water q.s. ad 100 percent.

6. A method for temporarily reducing intraocular pressure in humans comprising topically administering to the eye of a human a composition comprising an effective amount of a compound having the structural formula

wherein X is selected from the group consisting of CH2-CH2, Cm, and OCH2; and Y is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, P-methoxy phenyl and O-methoxy phenyl and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a suitable ophthalmic carrier.

7. The method of Claim 6 wherein the compound is Labetalol.

8. The method of Claim 7 wherein an effective amount of Labetalol is between about 0.1 and about 5 percent.

9. The method of Claim 7 wherein an effective amount of Labetalol is between about 0.5 and about 2 percent.

10. A method of temporarily alleviating the symptoms of glaucoma in humans comprising administering topically to the eye of a human having glaucoma an effective, therapeutic amount of a compound having the structural formula

wherein X is selected from the group consisting of CH2-CH2, CH2 and OCH2; and Y is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, P-methoxy phenyl and O-methoxy phenyl and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a suitable ophthalmic carrier.

11. A composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, substantially as hereinbefore described and exemplified.

12. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 6 to 10, substantially as hereinbefore described.