WO2013072763A2

WO2013072763A2 - Non-sensitizing transdermal clonidine patch

Info

Publication number: WO2013072763A2
Application number: PCT/IB2012/002797
Authority: WO
Inventors: David J. Enscore
Original assignee: Nometics Inc.
Priority date: 2011-11-16
Filing date: 2012-11-16
Publication date: 2013-05-23
Also published as: WO2013072763A3

Abstract

Disclosed herein are non-sensitizing clonidine transdermal patches and methods of treatment using the same.

Description

NON-SENSITIZING TRANSDERMAL CLONIDINE PATCH

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application 61/560,577, filed on November 16, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Skin contact sensitization (contact sensitization) to an allergen is a two-phase process of distinct biological mechanisms. First is the induction phase where the skin is initially exposed to the sensitizing drug. During this phase, generally no skin reaction may be noted. In the induction phase, the sensitizing drug or antigen is presented to the T-lymphocytes by the Langerhans cells of the epidermis, either in situ or in the draining lymph node. As a consequence, cells which recognize the antigen proliferate and differentiate.

Second is the elicitation phase where subsequent exposure to the sensitizing drug results in a manifested skin reaction. This condition is known as contact dermatitis. During elicitation, the antigen is once again presented mainly on Langerhans cells. The T-cells which have proliferated upon prior exposure now come to the treated site and initiate toxic events which result in local inflammation.

Clonidine is a potent alpha adrenergic receptor agonist useful in the treatment of hypertension and other diseases. Oral administration of clonidine requires dosing multiple times per day and adverse effects are associated with the attendant repeated peak

concentrations in the blood of the patient. Transdermal clonidine patches have been developed to provide once weekly dosing and to diminish the peak drug concentration adverse effects. Clonidine transdermal patches cause an allergic skin reaction and contact sensitization in a significant portion of the patients using the patches.

The allergic reaction to transdermally delivered clonidine is sufficiently severe to necessitate discontinuation of use of the clonidine patch and, potentially, can lead to an allergic response in patients that initiate oral clonidine therapy following discontinuation of use of the transdermal patch.

It has previously been demonstrated that clonidine delivered transdermally from petrolatum does not cause contact sensitization in humans while a transdermal clonidine patch did induce a sensitization response. Surprisingly, the materials of these contact sensitization causing clonidine transdermal patches were common to other non- sensitizing transdermal patches using other drugs. The materials of the patch construction were common to other non- sensitizing transdermal systems and could not be directly responsible for the allergic response.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure overcome the problem of contact sensitization caused by transdermal drug delivery using skin patches. In an embodiment, transdermal skin patches comprising clonidine are disclosed which do not cause contact sensitization.

In an aspect, a transdermal patch comprising clonidine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is disclosed, wherein the transdermal patch does not contain one or more of LUE 92, acetaldehyde, or polyethylene terephthalate. In one embodiment, the transdermal patch has an adhesive layer, a drug reservoir, a system backing, a release liner, and a membrane separating the adhesive and reservoir layers. In an embodiment, the transdermal system backing is a single polymer layer and/or a multilaminate film selected from the group consisting essentially of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, ionomer, polyurethane, acrylonitrile, polycarbonate, acrylates, and acrylonitrile- methyl acrylate copolymer, an ethylene/vinyl acetate layer, and a layer of aluminum. The transdermal system release liner can be selected from the group consisting essentially of kraft paper,

polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylonitrile, polycarbonate, acrylates, and acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer. The release liner can contain a release agent selected from the group consisting essentially of silicone polymer and fluorocarbon diacrylate polymer. In an embodiment, the transdermal patch contains clonidine in a single adhesive layer between the system backing and the release liner. In an embodiment, the transdermal patch contains clonidine in a liquid layer sealed between the system backing and the membrane. In yet another embodiment, the transdermal patch contains clonidine in a colloidal suspension or gel layer between the system backing and the release liner. In another embodiment, the transdermal patch contains clonidine in a matrix layer that is non-adhesive and also has an overlay adhesive. The system backing and release liner in all embodiments are common to those described in the first embodiment above. In an embodiment, the transdermal patches disclosed are non-sensitizing and do not elicit an allergic response in the skin of a subject.

In an aspect, provided herein is a method of treating a disease or symptom in a subject by administering to a subject a transdermal patch containing an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition of clonidine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the transdermal patch does not contain one or more of LUE 92, acetaldehyde and/or polyethylene terephthalate. In an embodiment, the disease or symptom treated by the transdermal patch containing an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition of clonidine is selected from the group consisting essentially of hypertension, neuropathic pain, opioid detoxification, sleep hyperhidrosis, anxiety, panic disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, insomnia, Tourette syndrome, menopausal symptoms, migraine headaches, hot flushes, restless legs syndrome, rosacea, withdrawal symptoms associated with the use of narcotics, withdrawal symptoms associated with the use of alcohol, withdrawal symptoms associated with the use of nicotine, tachycardia, sweating, cold flushes, general restlessness, psychiatric disorders, stress, sleep disorders, hyperarousal, borderline personality disorder, pain management, postoperative pain, and intractable pain. In another embodiment, the disease or symptom treated by the transdermal patch containing an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition of clonidine does not cause and/or prevents the sensitization and/or elicitation of an allergic response in the skin of a subject. In an embodiment the subject to be treated is a human. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 depicts a cross-sectional view of a matrix transdermal patch provided herein.

Figure 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of a multilaminate transdermal patch provided herein with a solid drug reservoir.

Figure 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of a multilaminate transdermal patch provided herein with a liquid drug reservoir.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein are compositions for transdermal skin patches that do not cause skin contact sensitization. In a preferred embodiment, a transdermal clonidine patch is disclosed that does not induce an allergic skin reaction in patients. The skin contact sensitization, and allergic skin reactions, in patients using previously available transdermal skin patches with clonidine has been discovered to be caused by a contaminant in the clonidine patch called LUE 92. LUE 92 is a contaminant consisting of the reaction product of two molecules of clonidine and one of acetaldehyde. LUE 92 is known in the art, see H. Maibach Contact Dermatitis, Volume 12 Issue 4, Pages 192 - 195 (1985).

Embodiments of transdermal skin patches disclosed herein are useful for delivering an effective dose of clonidine without exposing the skin of a subject to LUE 92. Embodiments of transdermal clonidine skin patches disclosed herein may be used to treat or to treat the symptoms of hypertension, neuropathic pain, opioid detoxification, sleep hyperhidrosis, anxiety, panic disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, insomnia, Tourette syndrome, menopausal symptoms, migraine headaches, hot flushes, restless legs syndrome, and rosacea.

Transdermal skin patches disclosed herein comprising clonidine may be used to ease withdrawal symptoms associated with the long-term use of narcotics, alcohol and nicotine, to reduce sympathetic nervous system responses such as tachycardia and hypertension, as well as reducing sweating, hot and cold flushes, and general restlessness. Transdermal skin patches disclosed herein comprising clonidine may be useful to initiate a sedation effect in a subject.

Transdermal skin patches disclosed herein comprising clonidine may be used to treat psychiatric disorders including stress, sleep disorders, hyperarousal caused by post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, other anxiety disorders, for pain management during heart attack, postoperative and intractable pain, and as a veterinarian anaesthetic.

As used herein, the term "pharmaceutically acceptable salts" refers to the nontoxic acid or alkaline earth metal salts of the drugs used in embodiments of transdermal patches disclosed herein. Representative salts include, but are not limited to, the following: acetate, adipate, alginate, citrate, aspartate, benzoate, benzenesulfonate, bisulfate, butyrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, digluconate, cyclopentanepropionate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, glucoheptanoate, glycerophosphate, hemi-sulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, fumarate, hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonate, lactate, maleate, methanesulfonate, nicotinate, 2-naphth-alenesulfonate, oxalate, pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylproionate, phosphate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate, thiocyanate, p-toluenesulfonate, and undecanoate.

Examples of acids that may be employed to form pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts include such inorganic acids as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid and such organic acids as formic acid, acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, methanesulfonic acid, succinic acid, malic acid, methanesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, and p-toluenesulfonic acid, citric acid, and acidic amino acids such as aspartic acid and glutamic acid.

The term "treat" is used herein to mean to relieve, reduce or alleviate, at least one symptom of a disease or condition in a subject. The term "treat" also denotes, to arrest, delay the onset (i. e. , the period prior to clinical manifestation of a disease or symptom of a disease) and/or reduce the risk of developing or worsening a symptom of a disease or condition. The term "subject" is intended to include animals. Examples of subjects include mammals, e.g. , humans, dogs, cows, horses, pigs, sheep, goats, cats, mice, rabbits, rats, and transgenic non-human animals.

The term "about" or "approximately" usually means within 20%, more preferably within 10%, and most preferably still within 5% of a given value or range. Alternatively, especially in biological systems, the term "about" means within about a log (i.e., an order of magnitude) preferably within a factor of two of a given value.

An "effective amount" is an amount sufficient to provide an observable improvement over the baseline clinically observable signs and symptoms of the disease or symptom treated.

In one embodiment, a non- sensitizing transdermal clonidine patch is disclosed that prevents the formation of LUE 92 during manufacture and storage of the patch. The formation of LUE 92 requires the presence of acetaldehyde in the patch. Acetaldehyde is a degradation product of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PET forms a barrier polymer film and is used as the system backing and/or release liner components of many transdermal patches, including all previously available transdermal clonidine patches. Because no other materials used in previously available transdermal clonidine patches have the capacity to generate acetaldehyde, the substitution of the PET component of the clonidine patches with a barrier material that does not generate acetaldehyde prevents the formation of the LUE 92 contaminant and thus prevents contact sensitization in patients using transdermal clonidine patches of the present disclosure.

Transdermal clonidine patches disclosed herein can be constructed using designs and methods of making transdermal patches well known in the art. The specific embodiment of the clonidine transdermal patch, while important for other performance attributes, does not impact the non-sensitizing transdermal clonidine patches disclosed herein.

Transdermal clonidine comprising patches disclosed herein may be used for the treatment of diseases and symptoms well known in the art that are commonly treated or treatable by clonidine. Diseases and symptoms that may be treated by the transdermal clonidine comprising patches disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, the following: hypertension, neuropathic pain, opioid detoxification, sleep hyperhidrosis, anxiety, panic disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, insomnia, Tourette syndrome, menopausal symptoms, migraine headaches, hot flushes, restless legs syndrome, rosacea, withdrawal symptoms associated with the use of narcotics, withdrawal symptoms associated with the use of alcohol, withdrawal symptoms associated with the use of nicotine, tachycardia, sweating, cold flushes, general restlessness, psychiatric disorders, stress, sleep disorders, hyperarousal, borderline personality disorder, pain management, postoperative pain, and intractable pain.

In an embodiment, transdermal drug patches of the present disclosure may be of a matrix type where the drug is contained in a single adhesive layer between the system backing and the release liner. Figure 1 depicts an embodiment of a transdermal drug patch 100. Transdermal drug patch 100 contains a drug contained in the adhesive layer 102 which is located between the system backing 104, and the release liner 106 none of which contain acetaldehyde, PET or any other acetaldehyde generating compounds as a component. In an embodiment of matrix design transdermal drug patch 100, the drug contained in adhesive layer 102 is clonidine, including stereoisomers, tautomers, racemates, solvates, metabolites, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

In one embodiment, a dense membrane layer 108 may be used to form an enclosure to release liner 106 and/or (not depicted in Fig. 1) to system backing 104.

In an embodiment, system backing 104 may be a single polymer layer or a multilaminate film including, without limitation, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, ionomer polyurethane, acrylonitrile, polycarbonate, acrylates, and acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer. In an embodiment, system backing 104 may contain additional layers such as polyethylene, an ethylene/vinyl acetate heat seal layer or a layer of aluminum.

In an embodiment, release liner 106 may be selected, without limitation, from kraft paper, polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylonitrile, polycarbonate, acrylates, and acrylonitrile- methyl acrylate copolymer. In another embodiment, release liner 106 may contain a layer of release agent such as silicone polymer, fluorocarbon diacrylate polymer, or any other agent commonly employed to provide adhesive release.

In another embodiment, the transdermal drug patches disclosed herein use matrix type design wherein the drug containing layer is a non-adhesive which does not contain acetaldehyde, PET or any other acetaldehyde generating compounds as a component and the patch is held in place with an overlay adhesive.

In another embodiment, transdermal drug patches of the present disclosure may be of a multilaminate design wherein the drug is held in a reservoir separate from the adhesive layer. Figure 2 depicts and embodiment of a multilaminate design transdermal drug patch 200. Multilaminate design transdermal drug patch 200 contains a drug in a solid reservoir layer 202, which is separated from an adhesive layer 204 by membrane 206. Solid reservoir layer 202 and adhesive layer 204 are located between a system backing 208 and a release liner 210 none of which contain acetaldehyde, PET or any other acetaldehyde generating compounds as a component. In an embodiment, membrane 206 can be porous or dense and can provide control of the rate of drug delivery from solid reservoir layer 202 to a patient's skin. In an embodiment, adhesive layer 204 can provide control of the rate of drug delivery to a patient's skin from solid reservoir layer 202 with or without membrane 206 in between solid reservoir layer 202 and adhesive layer 204. In an embodiment of multilaminate design transdermal drug patch 200, the drug contained in solid reservoir layer 202 is clonidine, including stereoisomers, tautomers, racemates, solvates, metabolites, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In another embodiment, a drug may be contained in adhesive layer 204. In an embodiment the drug contained in adhesive layer 204 is clonidine, including stereoisomers, tautomers, racemates, solvates, metabolites, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

In an embodiment, system backing 208 may be a single polymer layer or a multilaminate film including, without limitation, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, ionomer polyurethane, acrylonitrile, polycarbonate, acrylates, and acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer. In an embodiment, system backing 208 may contain additional layers such as polyethylene, an ethylene/vinyl acetate heat seal layer or a layer of aluminum.

In an embodiment, release liner 210 may be selected, without limitation, from kraft paper, polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylonitrile, polycarbonate, acrylates, and acrylonitrile- methyl acrylate copolymer. In another embodiment, release liner 210 may contain a layer of release agent such as silicone polymer, fluorocarbon diacrylate polymer, or any other agent commonly employed to provide adhesive release.

In an embodiment, a transdermal clonidine patch may be created as depicted in FIG. 2 wherein system backing 208 is a film of biaxially oriented polypropylene with a layer of vapor deposited aluminum on the side distal to the patch covered by a 1 layer of pigmented polyethylene. In an embodiment, solid drug reservoir 202 has a clonidine base with a colloidal silicon dioxide, mineral oil, and polyisobutylene. In an embodiment, membrane 206 is rate controlling and is a microporous polypropylene film filled with mineral oil. In an embodiment, adhesive layer 204 is contains a clonidine base with colloidal silicon dioxide, mineral oil, and polyisobutylene. In an embodiment, release liner 210 is a film of biaxially oriented polypropylene containing a layer of fluorocarbon diacrylate polymer release agent.

In another embodiment, transdermal drug patches of the present disclosure may be of a multilaminate design wherein the drug is held in a liquid reservoir separate from the adhesive layer. Figure 3 depicts and embodiment of a multilaminate design transdermal drug patch 300. Multilaminate design transdermal drug patch 300 contains a drug in a liquid reservoir layer 302, which is separated from an adhesive layer 304 by membrane 306. Liquid reservoir layer 302 and membrane 306 are located between a system backing 308 and a release liner (not depicted) none of which contain acetaldehyde, PET or any other acetaldehyde generating compounds as a component. In an embodiment, membrane 306 can be porous or dense and can provide control of the rate of drug delivery from liquid reservoir layer 302 to a patient's skin. In an embodiment, adhesive layer 304 can provide control of the rate of drug delivery to a patient's skin from liquid reservoir layer 302 with or without membrane 306 in between liquid reservoir layer 302 and adhesive layer 304. In an embodiment of multilaminate design transdermal drug patch 300, the drug contained in liquid reservoir layer 302 is a solution or suspension of clonidine including stereoisomers, tautomers, racemates, solvates, metabolites, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In another embodiment, a drug may be contained in adhesive layer 304. In an embodiment the drug contained in adhesive layer 304 is clonidine, including stereoisomers, tautomers, racemates, solvates, metabolites, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

In an embodiment, system backing 308 may be a single polymer layer or a multilaminate film including, without limitation, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, ionomer polyurethane, acrylonitrile, polycarbonate, acrylates, and acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer. In an embodiment, system backing 308 may contain additional layers such as polyethylene, an ethylene/vinyl acetate heat seal layer or a layer of aluminum.

In an embodiment, the release liner of multilaminate design transdermal drug patch

300 may be selected, without limitation, from kraft paper, polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylonitrile, polycarbonate, acrylates, and acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer. In another embodiment, the release liner of multilaminate design transdermal drug patch 300 may contain a layer of release agent such as silicone polymer, fluorocarbon diacrylate polymer, or any other agent commonly employed to provide adhesive release.

Example

A transdermal clonidine patch may be created as depicted in FIG. 2 wherein system backing 208 is a 1 mil thick film of biaxially oriented polypropylene with a layer of vapor deposited aluminum on the side distal to the patch covered by a 1 mil thick layer of pigmented medium density polyethylene. Solid drug reservoir 202 is 13 weight percent clonidine base, 7.5 weight percent colloidal silicon dioxide, 47 weight percent light mineral oil, and 32.5 weight percent polyisobutylene. The polyisobutylene is a mixture of 1,100,000 and 40,000 molecular weight in a ratio of 1.25 to 1.0. Membrane 206 is rate controlling and is a 1.0 mil thick microporous polypropylene film (Celgard 2400) filled with light mineral oil. Adhesive layer 204 is 3 weight percent clonidine base, 7.5 weight percent colloidal silicon dioxide, 47 weight percent light mineral oil, and 42.5 weight percent polyisobutylene. The polyisobutylene (BASF) is a mixture of 1,100,000 and 40,000 molecular weight in a ratio of 1.25 to 1.0. Release liner 210 is a 3 mil thick film of biaxially oriented polypropylene containing a layer of fluorocarbon diacrylate polymer release agent.

The above examples, embodiments, definitions and explanations should not be taken as limiting the full metes and bounds of the invention.

Claims

1. A transdermal patch comprising a compound of formula I:

(I)

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,

wherein said transdermal patch does not contain one or more of LUE 92,

acetaldehyde, or polyethylene terephthalate.

2. The transdermal patch of claim 1 further comprising an adhesive layer, a system backing and a release liner.

3. The transdermal patch of claim 2 wherein said system backing comprises a single polymer layer and/or a multilaminate film, said system backing is selected from the group consisting essentially of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, ionomer polyurethane, acrylonitrile, polycarbonate, acrylates, and acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer, an ethylene/vinyl acetate layer, and a layer of aluminum.

4. The transdermal patch of claim 2 wherein said release liner is selected from the group consisting essentially of kraft paper, polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylonitrile, polycarbonate, acrylates, and acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer.

5. The transdermal patch of claim 2 wherein said release liner comprises a release agent selected from the group consisting essentially of silicone polymer and fluorocarbon diacrylate polymer.

6. The transdermal patch of claim 2 wherein said compound of formula I is contained in a single adhesive layer between said system backing and said release liner.

7. The transdermal patch of claim 2 wherein said compound of formula I is contained in a colloidal suspension or gel layer between said system backing and said release liner.

8. The transdermal patch of claim 2 comprising a compound of formula I in a matrix layer that is non-adhesive, wherein said transdermal patch further comprises an overlay adhesive.

9. The transdermal patch of claim 1 further comprising an adhesive layer, a drug reservoir, a system backing and a release liner.

10. The transdermal patch of claim 9 wherein said system backing comprises a single polymer layer and/or a multilaminate film, said system backing is selected from the group consisting essentially of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, ionomer polyurethane, acrylonitrile, polycarbonate, acrylates, and acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer, an ethylene/vinyl acetate layer, and a layer of aluminum.

11. The transdermal patch of claim 9 wherein said release liner is selected from the group consisting essentially of kraft paper, polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylonitrile, polycarbonate, acrylates, and acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer.

12. The transdermal patch of claim 9 wherein said release liner comprises a release agent selected from the group consisting essentially of silicone polymer and fluorocarbon diacrylate polymer.

13. The transdermal patch of claim 9 wherein said compound of formula I is contained in a single adhesive layer between said system backing and said release liner.

14. The transdermal patch of claim 1 further comprising an adhesive layer, a drug reservoir, a system backing, a release liner, and a membrane.

15. The transdermal patch of claim 14 wherein said system backing comprises a single polymer layer and/or a multilaminate film, said system backing is selected from the group consisting essentially of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, ionomer polyurethane, acrylonitrile, polycarbonate, acrylates, and acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer, an ethylene/vinyl acetate layer, and a layer of aluminum.

16. The transdermal patch of claim 14 wherein said release liner is selected from the group consisting essentially of kraft paper, polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylonitrile, polycarbonate, acrylates, and acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer.

17. The transdermal patch of claim 14 wherein said release liner comprises a release agent selected from the group consisting essentially of silicone polymer and fluorocarbon diacrylate polymer.

18. The transdermal patch of claim 14 wherein the membrane is porous or dense.

The transdermal patch of claim 18 wherein the membrane comprises polypropyli

20. The transdermal patch of claim 19 wherein the membrane comprises polypropylene film filled with mineral oil.

21. The transdermal patch of claim 14 wherein said compound of formula I is contained in a single adhesive layer between said system backing and said release liner.

22. The transdermal patch of claim 14 wherein said compound of formula I is contained in a liquid layer sealed between said system backing and said membrane.

23. The transdermal patch of any one of claims 1 through 22 wherein said transdermal patch is non- sensitizing and does not elicit an allergic response in the skin of a subject.

24. A method of treating a disease or symptom in a subject comprising administering to said subject a transdermal patch comprising an effective amount of a compound of formula I:

(I)

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,

wherein said transdermal patch does not contain LUE 92, acetaldehyde and/or polyethylene terephthalate.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein said disease or symptom is selected from the group consisting essentially of hypertension, neuropathic pain, opioid detoxification, sleep hyperhidrosis, anxiety, panic disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, insomnia, Tourette syndrome, menopausal symptoms, migraine headaches, hot flushes, restless legs syndrome, rosacea, withdrawal symptoms associated with the use of narcotics, withdrawal symptoms associated with the use of alcohol, withdrawal symptoms associated with the use of nicotine, tachycardia, sweating, cold flushes, general restlessness, psychiatric disorders, stress, sleep disorders, hyperarousal, borderline personality disorder, pain management, postoperative pain, and intractable pain.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein said transdermal patch comprises an adhesive layer, a system backing and a release liner.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein said system backing comprises a single polymer layer and/or a multilaminate film, said system backing is selected from the group consisting essentially of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, ionomer polyurethane, acrylonitrile, polycarbonate, acrylates, and acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer, an ethylene/vinyl acetate layer, and a layer of aluminum.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein said release liner is selected from the group consisting essentially of kraft paper, polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylonitrile, polycarbonate, acrylates, and acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer.

29. The method of claim 26 wherein said release liner comprises a release agent selected from the group consisting essentially of silicone polymer and fluorocarbon diacrylate polymer.

30. The method of claim 26 wherein said compound of formula I is contained in a single adhesive layer between said system backing and said release liner.

31. The method of claim 26 wherein said compound of formula I is contained in a colloidal suspension or gel layer between said system backing and said release liner.

32. The method of claim 26 wherein said compound of formula I is in a matrix layer that is non-adhesive, wherein said transdermal patch further comprises an overlay adhesive.

33. The method of claim 24 wherein said transdermal patch further comprises an adhesive layer, a drug reservoir, a system backing and a release liner.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein said system backing comprises a single polymer layer and/or a multilaminate film, said system backing is selected from the group consisting essentially of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, ionomer polyurethane, acrylonitrile, polycarbonate, acrylates, and acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer, an ethylene/vinyl acetate layer, and a layer of aluminum.

35. The method of claim 33 wherein said release liner is selected from the group consisting essentially of kraft paper, polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylonitrile, polycarbonate, acrylates, and acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer.

36. The method of claim 33 wherein said wherein said release liner comprises a release agent selected from the group consisting essentially of silicone polymer and fluorocarbon diacrylate polymer.

37. The method of claim 33 wherein said compound of formula I is contained in a single adhesive layer between said system backing and said release liner.

38. The method of claim 24 wherein said transdermal patch further comprises an adhesive layer, a drug reservoir, a system backing, a release liner, and a membrane.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein said system backing comprises a single polymer layer and/or a multilaminate film, said system backing is selected from the group consisting essentially of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, ionomer polyurethane, acrylonitrile, polycarbonate, acrylates, and acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer, an ethylene/vinyl acetate layer, and a layer of aluminum.

40. The method of claim 38 wherein said release liner is selected from the group consisting essentially of kraft paper, polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylonitrile, polycarbonate, acrylates, and acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer.

41. The method of claim 38 wherein said release liner comprises a release agent selected from the group consisting essentially of silicone polymer and fluorocarbon diacrylate polymer.

42. The method of claim 38 wherein said membrane is porous or dense.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein said membrane comprises polypropylene film.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein said membrane comprises polypropylene film filled with mineral oil.

45. The method of claim 38 wherein said compound of formula I is contained in a single adhesive layer between said system backing and said release liner.

46. The method of claim 38 wherein said compound of formula I is contained in a liquid layer sealed between said system backing and said membrane.

47. The method of any of claims 24 through 46 wherein said transdermal patch is non- sensitizing and does not elicit an allergic response in the skin of a subject.

48. The method of any of claims 24 through 47 further comprising preventing the sensitization and/or elicitation of an allergic response in the skin of subject.

49. The method of any of claims 24 through 48 wherein the subject is human.