Topical nepafenac formulations

This application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 11/292,484, filed Dec. 2, 2005, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional application, U.S. Ser. No. 60/632,562 filed Dec. 2, 2004.

This invention relates to topically administrable ophthalmic formulations of nepafenac. The formulations of the present invention are suspension compositions.

Nepafenac is also known as 2-amino-3-benzoylphenylacetic acid. The topical use of nepafenac and other amide and ester derivatives of 3-benzoylphenylacetic acid to treat ophthalmic inflammation and pain is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,475,034. According to the '034 patent, compositions containing the 3-benzoylphenylacetic acid derivatives can be formulated into a variety of topically administrable ophthalmic compositions, such as solutions, suspensions, gels or ointments. The compositions optionally contain preservatives, such as benzalkonium chloride, and thickening agents, such as carbomers, hydroxyethylcellulose or polyvinyl alcohol.

The compositions of the present invention are aqueous suspension compositions of nepafenac. The compositions contain 0.09-0.11% (w/v) nepafenac. The compositions consist essentially of nepafenac, a carbomer, a nonionic surfactant, a tonicity-adjusting agent, a pH-adjusting agent, purified water, and optionally a preservative and a chelating agent.

Unless indicated otherwise, all ingredient concentrations are presented in units of % weight/volume (% w/v).

Nepafenac is a known compound. It can be made by known methods. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,475,034 and 4,313,949. The compositions of the present invention contain 0.09-0.11% nepafenac, and preferably 0.1% nepafenac.

In addition to nepafenac, the suspension compositions of the present invention also contain a carbomer as a thickening or physical stability-enhancing agent. Carbomers suitable for use in the present invention are also known as “carboxyvinyl polymers” or carboxypolymethylene. They are commercially available from sources such as Noveon, Inc. (Cleveland, Ohio), which distributes them under the trade name Carbopol®. Carbopol polymers are crosslinked, acrylic acid-based polymers. They are cross-linked with allyl sucrose or allylpentaerythritol. Carbopol copolymers are polymers of acrylic acid, modified by C 10-30 alkyl acrylates, and crosslinked with allylpentaerythritol. A preferred carbomer for use in the compositions of the present invention is a polymer of acrylic acid cross-linked with allyl sucrose or allylpentaerythritol, which is commercially available as Carbopol® 974P. The concentration of carbomer in the compositions of the present invention will generally range from 0.4-0.6%, and will preferably be 0.5%.

The compositions of the present invention also contain an ophthalmically acceptable nonionic surfactant. Many ophthalmically acceptable nonionic surfactants are known. Suitable nonionic surfactants include, but are not limited to tyloxapol; polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters, such as polysorbate 20, polysorbate 60, and polysorbate 80; polyethoxylated castor oils, such as Cremophor EL; polyethoxylated hydrogenated castor oils, such as HCO-40; and poloxamers. The most preferred surfactant is tyloxapol. In the case of tyloxapol, the surfactant is generally present in an amount of 0.001-0.05%, and preferably 0.01%.

In addition to nepafenac, a carbomer, and a nonionic surfactant, the compositions of the present invention contain an ophthalmically acceptable tonicity-adjusting agent. Ophthalmically acceptable tonicity adjusting agents include, but are not limited to, metal chloride salts and non-ionic tonicity-adjusting agents such as mannitol. Preferred metal chloride salts are those found in human tears, such sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride and magnesium chloride. The amount of tonicity adjusting agent contained in the compositions of the present invention is an amount sufficient to cause the composition to have an osmolality of about 250-350 mOsm/kg, preferably 270-315 mOsm/kg. Most preferred is a combination of sodium chloride and mannitol. For the most preferred embodiment where the tonicity adjusting agent is a combination of sodium chloride and mannitol, the amount of sodium chloride is preferably 0.3-0.5% and the amount of mannitol is 2-3%, and the most preferred amount of sodium chloride is 0.4% and the most preferred amount of mannitol is 2.4%.

The compositions of the present invention have a pH from 7.0-7.8. Preferably, the pH of the compositions is 7.3-7.7, and most preferably 7.5. The compositions contain an ophthalmically acceptable pH-adjusting agent in order, to achieve the desired pH. Ophthalmically acceptable pH adjusting agents are known and include, but are not limited to, hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH).

The compositions of the present invention optionally contain an ophthalmically acceptable preservative ingredient. Ophthalmically acceptable preservative ingredients are known and include, but are not limited to, benzalkonium halides, such as benzalkonium chloride, polyquaternium-1, and chlorine dioxide. Most preferred are benzalkonium chloride and polyquaternium-1. In the case of benzalkonium chloride, the preservative is preferably present in an amount from 0.001-0.01%, and most preferably 0.005%.

A chelating agent is also optionally included in the suspension compositions of the present invention. Suitable chelating agents include edetate disodium; edetate trisodium; edetate tetrasodium; and diethyleneamine pentaacetate. Most preferred is edetate disodium. If included, the chelating agent will typically be present in an amount from 0.001-0.1%. In the case of edetate disodium, the chelating agent is preferably present at a concentration of 0.01%.

The following examples are intended to illustrate, but not limit, the present invention.