U.S. patent application number 16/818779 was filed with the patent office on 2020-12-10 for steroidal compositions.
This patent application is currently assigned to Lipocine Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Lipocine Inc.. Invention is credited to Nachiappan Chidambaram, Chandrashekar Giliyar, Mahesh V. Patel, Srinivasan Venkateshwaran.
Application Number | 20200383999 16/818779 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005037938 |
Filed Date | 2020-12-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200383999 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Giliyar; Chandrashekar ; et
al. |
December 10, 2020 |
STEROIDAL COMPOSITIONS
Abstract
Provided herein are steroid containing compositions suitable for
providing therapeutically effective amounts of at least one steroid
to individuals. Also provided herein are compositions comprising
testosterone and/or testosterone derivatives suitable for providing
therapeutically effective and safe amounts of testosterone over
periods of time. Further provided are methods of treating andro-
and/or testosterone deficiency in individuals by administering to
the individuals compositions described herein.
Inventors: |
Giliyar; Chandrashekar;
(Plymouth, MN) ; Chidambaram; Nachiappan; (Sandy,
UT) ; Patel; Mahesh V.; (Salt Lake City, UT) ;
Venkateshwaran; Srinivasan; (Salt Lake City, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lipocine Inc. |
Salt Lake City |
UT |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Lipocine Inc.
Salt Lake City
UT
|
Family ID: |
1000005037938 |
Appl. No.: |
16/818779 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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12350930 |
Jan 8, 2009 |
|
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16818779 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 47/10 20130101;
A61K 47/44 20130101; A61K 9/4875 20130101; A61K 9/4858 20130101;
A61K 9/0053 20130101; A61K 9/4866 20130101; A61K 31/569 20130101;
A61K 31/568 20130101; A61K 47/14 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61K 31/569 20060101
A61K031/569; A61K 9/48 20060101 A61K009/48; A61K 31/568 20060101
A61K031/568; A61K 9/00 20060101 A61K009/00; A61K 47/10 20060101
A61K047/10; A61K 47/14 20060101 A61K047/14; A61K 47/44 20060101
A61K047/44 |
Claims
1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising (i) a therapeutically
effective amount of one or more testosterone C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl
ester; and (ii) at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier;
the pharmaceutical composition releasing about 80% or less of the
testosterone C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl ester after 30 minutes in an
aqueous medium.
2. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the
testosterone C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl ester is testosterone
undecanoate.
3. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the
pharmaceutical composition comprises about 10 mg to about 1000 mg
of testosterone C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl ester.
4. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein a single dose
of the pharmaceutical composition provides a mean plasma C.sub.max
of testosterone that is about 19 ng/mL or less upon oral
administration.
5. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein a single dose
of the pharmaceutical composition provides a mean plasma C.sub.max
of dihydrotestosterone that is about 4.5 ng/mL or less upon oral
administration.
6. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the
pharmaceutical composition provides a testosterone mean plasma
C.sub.max at steady state of about 1300 ng/dL or less.
7. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the
pharmaceutical composition provides a testosterone mean plasma
C.sub.min at steady state of about 200 ng/dL or more.
8. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the
pharmaceutical composition provides with administration to an
individual a ratio of a testosterone equivalent dose to a mean
steady state testosterone C.sub.max, the ratio being about
500.times.10.sup.6 mL or less.
9. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the
pharmaceutical composition provides, with oral administration to an
individual, a difference between a mean plasma C.sub.max of
testosterone at steady state and a mean plasma C.sub.min of
testosterone at steady state that is about 16 ng/mL or less.
10. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the
pharmaceutical composition provides, with oral administration to an
individual, a difference between a mean plasma C.sub.max at steady
state and a mean plasma C.sub.min at steady state of testosterone
C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl ester that is about 275 ng/mL or less.
11. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein a single
dose of the pharmaceutical composition provides a mean plasma
concentration of testosterone after 1 hour that is about 150 ng/dL
or less upon oral administration.
12. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein a single
dose of the pharmaceutical composition provides a mean plasma
concentration of testosterone after 2 hours that is about 500 ng/dL
or less upon oral administration.
13. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the at least
one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises at least one
hydrophilic carrier.
14. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 13, wherein the
hydrophilic carrier is a hydrophilic triglyceride.
15. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 14, wherein the
hydrophilic triglyceride is a polyoxylated castor oil, or a
polyoxylated hydrogenated castor oil.
16. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the at least
one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises at least one
lipophilic carrier.
17. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the at least
one lipophilic carrier is selected from the group consisting of a
monoglyceride, a diglyceride, a Vitamin E compound, a trigliceride,
a fatty acid, polyoxylated fatty acid, polyoxylated triglyceride,
polyoxylated vegetable oil, and a combination thereof.
18. A method of treating androgen deficiency in an individual in
need thereof by administering to the individual a pharmaceutical
composition comprising (i) a therapeutically effective amount of
one or more testosterone C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl ester; and (ii) at
least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; the pharmaceutical
composition releasing about 90% or less of the testosterone
C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl ester after 30 minutes in an aqueous
medium.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the pharmaceutical composition
is administered with a meal.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the pharmaceutical composition
is administered b.i.d. or q.d.
21-31. (canceled)
Description
PRIORITY DATA
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/350,930, filed Jan. 8, 2009 which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Testosterone is an androgenic compound crucial for human
health. Certain embodiments of the invention described herein
generally relate to compositions for the administration of
testosterone, testosterone analogs, other steroids and related
compounds.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Provided in certain embodiments herein is a delayed release
oral dosage form comprising a therapeutically effective amount of
one or more testosterone alkyl ester and at least one
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein a single dose of the
delayed release oral dosage form provides a mean plasma C.sub.max
of testosterone that is at least 5%, at least 10% or at least 15%
lower than the mean plasma C.sub.max of testosterone that is
provided by a single dose of an immediate release oral dosage form
having an identical amount of the testosterone alkyl ester. In some
embodiments, provided herein is a delayed release oral dosage form,
wherein a single dose of the delayed release oral dosage form
provides a mean plasma C.sub.max of testosterone alkyl ester that
is at least 5%, at least 10% or at least 15% lower than the mean
plasma C.sub.max of testosterone alkyl ester that is provided by a
single dose of an immediate release oral dosage form having an
identical amount of the testosterone alkyl ester. In certain
embodiments, a single dose of the delayed release oral dosage form
described herein provides a mean plasma. C.sub.max of that is at
least 5% lower than the mean plasma. C.sub.max of
dihydrotestosterone provided by a single dose of an immediate
release oral dosage form having an identical amount of the
testosterone alkyl ester. In some embodiments, a delayed release
oral dosage form described herein provides a mean plasma. C.sub.max
at steady state of testosterone alkyl ester that is at least 5%, at
least 10% or at least 15% lower than the mean plasma. C.sub.max of
testosterone alkyl ester at steady state provided by an immediate
release oral dosage form having an identical amount of the
testosterone alkyl ester. In certain embodiments, a delayed release
oral dosage form described herein provides a fluctuation index of
testosterone at steady state that is at least 5%, or at least 10%
lower than a fluctuation index of testosterone at steady state of
an immediate release oral dosage form having an identical amount of
the testosterone alkyl ester. In some embodiments, a delayed
release oral dosage form described herein provides a fluctuation
index of testosterone alkyl ester at steady state that is at least
5%, or at least 10% lower than a fluctuation index of testosterone
alkyl ester at steady state of an immediate release oral dosage
form having an identical amount of the testosterone alkyl ester. In
some embodiments, a single dose of the delayed release oral dosage
form provides a mean plasma concentration of testosterone provided
1 hour after oral administration of the delayed release oral dosage
form that is at least 20% lower than a mean plasma concentration of
testosterone provided 1 hour after oral administration of a single
dose of an immediate release oral dosage form having an identical
amount of the testosterone alkyl ester.
[0004] Provided in certain embodiments herein is a pharmaceutical
composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of one or
more testosterone alkyl ester and at least one pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier. In some embodiments, a single dose of a
pharmaceutical composition described herein provides a mean plasma
C.sub.max of testosterone that is about 15 ng/mL or less; or about
19 ng/mL or less upon oral administration. In certain embodiments,
a single dose of a pharmaceutical composition described herein
provides a mean plasma C.sub.max of dihydrotestosterone that is
about 4.5 ng/mL, or about 3.6 ng/mL or less upon oral
administration. In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition
described herein provides a testosterone mean plasma C.sub.max at
steady state of about 1300 ng/dL or less. In certain embodiments, a
pharmaceutical composition described herein provides a testosterone
mean plasma C.sub.min at steady state of about 200 ng/dL or more.
In some embodiments a pharmaceutical composition provides with
administration to an individual a ratio of the testosterone
equivalent dose from the alkyl ester, to a mean steady state
testosterone C.sub.max, the ratio being about 500.times.10.sup.6 mL
or less. In certain embodiments, the difference between the mean
plasma C.sub.max of testosterone at steady state and mean plasma
C.sub.min of testosterone at steady state provided by a
pharmaceutical composition described herein is about 11 ng/mL or
less, or about 16 ng/mL or less. In some embodiments, the
difference between the mean plasma C.sub.max at steady state and
mean plasma C.sub.min at steady state of testosterone alkyl ester
provided by a pharmaceutical composition described herein is about
275 ng/mL or less; or about 200 ng/mL or less. In certain
embodiments, a single dose of a pharmaceutical composition
described herein provides a mean plasma concentration of
testosterone after 1 hour that is about 150 ng/dL or less upon oral
administration. In some embodiments, a single dose of a
pharmaceutical composition described herein provides a mean plasma
concentration of testosterone after 2 hours that is about 500 ng/dL
or less upon oral administration.
[0005] In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition
described herein releases about 50% or less of the testosterone
alkyl ester after 1 hour and/or about 80% or less of the
testosterone alkyl ester after about 30 minutes in an aqueous
medium. In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition described
herein releases about 20% or less of the testosterone alkyl ester
after 30 minutes in an aqueous medium. In certain embodiments, a
pharmaceutical composition described herein releases less than 95%
of the testosterone alkyl ester after 3 hours in an aqueous medium.
In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition described herein
releases more than 80% of the testosterone alkyl ester within 12
hours in an aqueous medium. In some instances, the aqueous medium
is present in a USP Type-II (paddle) apparatus with conditions at
37.+-.0.5.degree. C. and at 100 rpm. In more specific instances,
the aqueous medium is about 1 L of DI water having 8% w/v of Triton
X-100.
[0006] In certain embodiments, described herein is a delayed
release oral dosage form comprising a testosterone alkyl ester
(e.g., testosterone alkyl ester formulated in solid PEG). In some
embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition described herein is a
delayed release oral dosage form. In certain embodiments, the
delayed release oral dosage form is formulated in any suitable
manner. In some embodiments, a single dose of a delayed release
oral dosage form described herein provides a mean plasma. C.sub.max
of testosterone that is at least about 5%, at least 10% or at least
15% lower than the mean plasma. C.sub.max of testosterone that is
provided by a single dose of an immediate release oral dosage form
having an identical amount of the testosterone alkyl ester. In
certain embodiments, a single dose of a delayed release oral dosage
form described herein provides a mean plasma. C.sub.max of the
testosterone alkyl ester that is at least about 5%, at least 10% or
at least 15% lower than the mean plasma. C.sub.max of testosterone
alkyl ester that is provided by a single dose of an immediate
release oral dosage form having an identical amount of the
testosterone alkyl ester. In some embodiments, a single dose of a
delayed release oral dosage form described herein provides a mean
plasma. C.sub.max of that is at least 5% lower than the mean plasma
C.sub.max of dihydrotestosterone provided by a single dose of an
immediate release oral dosage form having an identical amount of
the testosterone alkyl ester. In certain embodiments, a delayed
release oral dosage form described herein provides a mean plasma.
C.sub.max at steady state of testosterone alkyl ester that is at
least about 5%, at least 10% or at least 15% lower than the mean
plasma C.sub.max of testosterone alkyl ester at steady state
provided by an immediate release oral dosage form having an
identical amount of the testosterone alkyl ester. In some
embodiments, a delayed release oral dosage form described herein
provides a fluctuation index of testosterone at steady state that
is at least 10% lower than a fluctuation index of testosterone at
steady state of an immediate release oral dosage form having an
identical amount of the testosterone alkyl ester. In certain
embodiments, a delayed release oral dosage form described herein
provides a fluctuation index of testosterone alkyl ester at steady
state that is at least 10% lower than a fluctuation index of
testosterone alkyl ester at steady state of an immediate release
oral dosage form having an identical amount of the testosterone
alkyl ester. In some embodiments, a single dose of a delayed
release oral dosage form described herein provides a mean plasma
concentration of testosterone provided 1 hour after oral
administration of the delayed release oral dosage form that is at
least 20% lower than a mean plasma concentration of testosterone
provided 1 hour after oral administration of a single dose of an
immediate release oral dosage form having an identical amount of
the testosterone alkyl ester.
[0007] In some embodiments, the one or more testosterone alkyl
ester provided in any pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage
form described herein is or comprises testosterone undecanoate. In
certain embodiments, any pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage
form described herein comprises about 10 mg to about 400 mg, or
about 10 mg to about 1000 mg of testosterone alkyl ester. In some
embodiments, any pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage form
described herein comprises about 10 mg to about 300 mg of
testosterone alkyl ester. In certain embodiments, any
pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage form described herein
comprises about 10 mg to about 240 mg of testosterone alkyl ester.
In some embodiments, any pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage
form described herein comprises about 10 mg to about 150 mg of
testosterone alkyl ester. In some embodiments, any pharmaceutical
composition or oral dosage form described herein comprises about
120 mg of testosterone alkyl ester.
[0008] In certain embodiments, the at least one pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier of any pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage
form described herein comprises at least one hydrophilic carrier.
In some embodiments, the at least one pharmaceutically acceptable
carrier of any pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage form
described herein comprises at least one lipophilic carrier. In
certain embodiments, the at least one pharmaceutically acceptable
carrier of any pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage form
described herein comprises at least one viscosity enhancer or
solidifying agent. In some embodiments, the at least one
hydrophilic carrier comprises a hydrophilic triglyceride. In
specific embodiments, the hydrophilic triglyceride is a
polyoxylated castor oil, or a polyoxylated hydrogenated castor
oil.
[0009] Provided in some embodiments herein is a method of treating
androgen deficiency in an individual in need thereof by
administering to the individual any oral dosage form or
pharmaceutical composition described herein. In some embodiments, a
pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage form described herein is
administered b.i.d. In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical
composition or oral dosage form described herein is administered
with a meal.
[0010] Provided in certain embodiments herein is an oral
testosterone undecanoate therapy that provides to a human in need
of androgen therapy by orally delivering to the human a composition
comprising a therapeutically effective amount of testosterone
undecanoate. In some embodiments, the oral testosterone undecanoate
therapy provides in a human (e.g., a male human) a mean C.sub.max
of testosterone that is less than about 15 ng/mL; or less than
about 19 ng/mL after a single administration of the composition. In
certain embodiments, the oral testosterone undecanoate therapy
provides to a human (e.g., a male human) a mean plasma. C.sub.max
of dihydrotestosterone that is about 3.6 ng/mL or less; or about
4.5 ng/mL or less after a single administration of the composition.
In some embodiments, the oral testosterone undecanoate therapy
provides to a human (e.g., a male human) a testosterone mean plasma
C.sub.max at steady state of about 1300 ng/dL or less. In certain
embodiments, the oral testosterone undecanoate therapy provides to
a human (e.g., a male human) a testosterone mean plasma C.sub.max
at steady state of about 200 ng/dL or more. In some embodiments,
the oral testosterone undecanoate therapy provides to a human
(e.g., a male human) a mean C.sub.max of testosterone at steady
state to dose ratio of about 15 or less. In specific embodiments,
the ratio is 15 or less, or 13 or less. In some embodiments
provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition that provides with
administration to an individual a ratio of a testosterone
C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl ester dose, in mg, to a mean steady state
testosterone C.sub.max, in mg/mL, the ratio of testosterone
equivalent dose from the testosterone alkyl ester to a mean steady
state testosterone C.sub.max, the ratio being about
500.times.10.sup.6 mL or less (e.g., with b.i.d. or q.d.
administration to an otherwise testosterone deficient individual).
In certain embodiments, the oral testosterone undecanoate therapy
provides to a human (e.g., a male human) a difference between a
mean plasma. C.sub.max of testosterone at steady state and mean
plasma. C.sub.min of testosterone at steady state of about 11 ng/mL
or less, or about 16 ng/mL or less. In some embodiments, the oral
testosterone undecanoate therapy provides to a human (e.g., a male
human) a difference between a mean plasma C.sub.max at steady state
and mean plasma. C.sub.min at steady state of testosterone alkyl
ester of about 200 ng/mL or less; or about 275 ng/mL or less. In
certain instances, when a mean plasma concentration is utilized,
the value is obtained from a statistically significant population
of individuals.
[0011] Provided in certain embodiments herein is a pharmaceutical
composition comprising (i) a therapeutically effective amount of
one or more testosterone C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl ester; and (ii) at
least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; the pharmaceutical
composition releasing about 80% or less of the testosterone
C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl ester after 30 minutes in an aqueous medium.
In certain instances, the aqueous medium comprises 8% w/v
octoxynol-9 in water at about 37.degree. C. In some embodiments,
any aqueous medium described herein is 1 L deionized water
comprising 8% w/v Triton X-100 (e.g., octylphenol ethylene oxide
condensate; octoxynol-9; t-octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol;
t-oct-C.sub.6H.sub.4--(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.xOH, x=9-10; CAS No.
9002-93-1; Triton X-100 was a registered trademark formerly owned
by Rohm and Haas Co., but now owned by Union Carbide) at
37.+-.0.5.degree. C. and subjected to a paddle method at 100 rpm
and 37.+-.0.5.degree. C. for the designated period of time (USP App
2). In some embodiments, the testosterone C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl
ester is testosterone undecanoate. In certain embodiments, the
pharmaceutical composition comprises about 10 mg to about 1000 mg
of testosterone C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl ester.
[0012] In some embodiments, a single dose of any pharmaceutical
composition provided herein provides a mean plasma C.sub.max of
testosterone that is about 15 ng/mL or less; or about 19 ng/mL or
less upon oral administration (e.g., to a testosterone deficient
individual). In certain embodiments, a single dose of any
pharmaceutical composition provided herein provides a mean plasma.
C.sub.max of dihydrotestosterone that is about 4.5 ng/mL or less;
or about 3.6 ng/mL or less upon oral administration (e.g., to a
testosterone deficient individual). In some embodiments, any
pharmaceutical composition provided herein provides a testosterone
mean plasma C.sub.max at steady state of about 1300 ng/dL or less
with oral administration (e.g., with b.i.d. or q.d. administration
to an otherwise testosterone deficient individual). In certain
embodiments, any pharmaceutical composition provided herein
provides a testosterone mean plasma. C.sub.min at steady state of
about 200 ng/dL or more with oral administration (e.g., with b.i.d.
or q.d. administration to an otherwise testosterone deficient
individual). In some embodiments, any pharmaceutical composition
provided herein provides with administration to an individual
(e.g., oral administration) a ratio of testosterone equivalent dose
from the testosterone alkyl ester to a mean a mean steady state
testosterone C.sub.max, the ratio being about 500.times.10.sup.6
mL, or less (e.g., with b.i.d. or q d administration to an
otherwise testosterone deficient individual).
[0013] In some embodiments, the difference between the mean plasma
C.sub.max of testosterone at steady state and mean plasma C.sub.min
of testosterone at steady state is about 11 ng/mL or less, or about
16 ng/mL or less (e.g., with b.i.d. or q d administration to an
otherwise testosterone deficient individual). In some embodiments,
the difference between the mean plasma C.sub.max at steady state
and mean plasma C.sub.min at steady state of testosterone
C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl ester is about 200 ng/mL or less; or about
275 ng/mL or less (e.g., with b.i.d. or q.d. administration to an
otherwise testosterone deficient individual). In some embodiments,
a single dose of any pharmaceutical composition provided herein
provides a mean plasma concentration of testosterone after 1 hour
that is about 150 ng/dL or less upon oral administration. In
certain embodiments, a single dose of any pharmaceutical
composition provided herein provides a mean plasma concentration of
testosterone after 2 hours that is about 500 ng/dL or less upon
oral administration.
[0014] In certain embodiments, the at least one pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier of any pharmaceutical composition provided
herein comprises at least one hydrophilic carrier. In specific
embodiments, the hydrophilic carrier is a hydrophilic triglyceride.
In more specific embodiments, the hydrophilic triglyceride is a
polyoxylated castor oil, or a polyoxylated hydrogenated castor oil.
In some embodiments, any pharmaceutical composition provided herein
consists essentially of a lipophilic carrier or combination of
lipophilic carriers. In certain embodiments, any pharmaceutical
composition provided herein comprises a lipophilic carrier and less
than 10% w/w or less than 5% w/w of a hydrophilic carrier.
[0015] Provided in certain embodiments herein is a delayed release
oral dosage form comprising (i) a therapeutically effective amount
of one or more testosterone C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl ester; and (ii)
at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; wherein a single
dose of the delayed release oral dosage form provides a mean plasma
C.sub.max of testosterone that is at least 5% lower; or at least
10% lower than the mean plasma C.sub.max of testosterone that is
provided by a single dose of an immediate release oral dosage form
having an identical amount of the testosterone C.sub.2-C.sub.13
alkyl ester. In some embodiments, the testosterone C.sub.2-C.sub.13
alkyl ester is testosterone undecanoate. In certain embodiments,
the pharmaceutical composition comprises about 10 mg to about 1000
mg of testosterone C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl ester.
[0016] In some embodiments, a single dose of any delayed release
oral dosage form provided herein provides a mean plasma. C.sub.max
of the that is at least 5%, at least 10% or at least 15% lower than
the mean plasma. C.sub.max of testosterone C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl
ester that is provided by a single dose of an immediate release
oral dosage form having an identical amount of the testosterone
C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl ester. In some embodiments, a single
administration to a human of a dose of the delayed release oral
dosage form provides a ratio of testosterone equivalent dose from
the C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl ester present in the dose of the delayed
release oral dosage form to mean plasma testosterone C.sub.max
provided by the single administration of the dose of the delayed
oral release dosage form, the ratio being about 500.times.10.sup.6
mL or less. In certain embodiments, a single dose of any delayed
release oral dosage form provided herein provides a mean plasma.
C.sub.max of that is at least 5% lower than the mean plasma.
C.sub.max of dihydrotestosterone provided by a single dose of an
immediate release oral dosage form having an identical amount of
the testosterone C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl ester. In some embodiments,
a single administration to a human a dose of the delayed release
oral dosage form provides a ratio of testosterone equivalent dose
from the C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl ester to mean plasma
dihydroxytestosterone C.sub.max provided by the single
administration of the dose of the delayed oral release dosage form,
the ratio being about 350.times.10.sup.6 mL or less. In some
embodiments, any delayed release oral dosage form provided herein
provides a mean plasma. C.sub.max at steady state of testosterone
C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl ester that is at least 5% lower, or at least
10% lower than the mean plasma. C.sub.max of testosterone
C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl ester at steady state provided by an
immediate release oral dosage form having an identical amount of
the testosterone C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl ester (e.g., when orally
administered to a testosterone deficient individual b.i.d. or
q.d.).
[0017] In certain embodiments, any delayed release oral dosage form
provided herein comprises at least one pharmaceutically acceptable
carrier that comprises at least one hydrophilic carrier. In
specific embodiments, the hydrophilic carrier is a hydrophilic
triglyceride. In more specific embodiments, the hydrophilic
triglyceride is a polyoxylated castor oil, or a polyoxylated
hydrogenated castor oil. In some embodiments, any delayed release
oral dosage form provided herein consists essentially of a
lipophilic carrier or combination of lipophilic carriers. In some
embodiments, a lipophilic carrier selected from the group
consisting of a monoglyceride, a diglyceride, a Vitamin E compound,
a trigliceride, a fatty acid, polyoxylated fatty acid, polyoxylated
triglyceride, polyoxylated vegetable oil, and a combination
thereof. In certain embodiments, any delayed release oral dosage
form provided herein comprises a lipophilic carrier and less than
10% w/w or less than 5% w/w of a hydrophilic carrier.
[0018] Provided in some embodiments herein is a pharmaceutical
composition comprising (i) a therapeutically effective amount of
one or more testosterone alkyl ester; and (ii) at least one
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; the pharmaceutical composition
releasing about 60% to about 90%, about 60% to about 85%, or about
60% to about 80% of the testosterone alkyl ester after 1 hour in an
aqueous medium. In certain instances, the aqueous medium comprises
8% w/v octoxynol-9 in water at about 37.degree. C.
[0019] Provided in certain embodiments herein is a pharmaceutical
composition comprising (i) a therapeutically effective amount of
one or more testosterone alkyl ester; and (ii) at least one
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; the pharmaceutical composition
releasing about 50% or less, about 45% or less, or about 40% or
less of the testosterone alkyl ester after 6 hour in an aqueous
medium. In certain instances, the aqueous medium comprises 8% w/v
octoxynol-9 in water at about 37.degree. C.
[0020] Provided in some embodiments herein is a method of treating
androgen deficiency in an individual in need thereof by
administering to the individual any pharmaceutical composition or
dosage form described herein. In a specific embodiment, provided
herein is a method of treating androgen deficiency in an individual
in need thereof by administering to the individual a pharmaceutical
composition comprising (i) a therapeutically effective amount of
one or more testosterone C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl ester; and (ii) at
least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In specific
embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition releases about 80% or
less; or 90% or less of the testosterone C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl
ester after 30 minutes in an aqueous medium. In some embodiments,
the pharmaceutical composition releases about 50% or less of the
testosterone C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl ester after 1 hour in an
aqueous medium. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical
composition is administered with a meal. In some embodiments, the
pharmaceutical composition is administered b.i.d. or q.d. In
various embodiments, a method provided herein has a release or
pharmacokinetic profile as described herein. In some embodiments,
an oral testosterone undecanoate therapy described herein provides
to a human a ratio of a testosterone equivalent dose from the
testosterone C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl ester to mean steady state
testosterone C.sub.max, the ratio being about 500.times.10.sup.6 mL
or less.
[0021] Also provided in some embodiments herein is an oral
testosterone undecanoate therapy that provides to a human in need
of androgen therapy by orally delivering to the human a composition
comprising a therapeutically effective amount of testosterone
undecanoate. In some embodiments, the therapy provides to the human
a mean C.sub.max of testosterone that is less than about 15 ng/mL,
or less than about 19 ng/mL after a single administration of the
composition. In certain embodiments, the oral testosterone
undecanoate therapy provides to the human a mean plasma C.sub.max
of dihydrotestosterone that is about 3.6 ng/mL, or less; or about
4.5 ng/mL, or less after a single administration of the
composition. In some embodiments, the oral testosterone undecanoate
therapy provides to the human a testosterone mean plasma C.sub.max
at steady state of about 1300 ng/dL or less after a single
administration of the composition. In certain embodiments, the oral
testosterone undecanoate therapy provides to the human a
testosterone mean plasma C.sub.min at steady state of about 200
ng/dL or more after a single administration of the composition. In
some embodiments, the oral testosterone undecanoate therapy
provides to the human a ratio of a testosterone equivalent dose to
a mean stead state testosterone C.sub.max of about
500.times.10.sup.6 mL or less after a single administration of the
composition. In certain embodiments, the oral testosterone
undecanoate therapy provides to the human a difference between a
mean plasma C.sub.max of testosterone at steady state and mean
plasma C.sub.min of testosterone at steady state of about 11 ng/mL
or less; or about 16 ng/mL or less. In some embodiments, the oral
testosterone undecanoate therapy provides to the human a difference
between a mean plasma. C.sub.max at steady state and mean plasma.
C.sub.min at steady state of testosterone alkyl ester of about 200
ng/mL or less.
[0022] Provided in certain embodiments herein is a pharmaceutical
composition comprising (i) a therapeutically effective amount of
one or more testosterone alkyl ester; and (ii) a single (e.g., one
and only one) lipid component solubilizing the testosterone alkyl
ester. In some embodiments, provided herein is a pharmaceutical
composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of
testosterone undecanoate; the pharmaceutical composition providing
an increase in testosterone alkyl ester in plasma compared to an
otherwise identical pharmaceutical composition comprising a
testosterone alkyl ester other than testosterone undecanoate. In
certain embodiments, provided herein is a pharmaceutical
composition comprising (i) a therapeutically effective amount of
one or more testosterone alkyl ester; and (ii) at least one
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; the pharmaceutical composition
providing, when administered as a single dose to an individual, a
dose of testosterone equivalent from the testosterone alkyl ester,
to mean steady state AUC.sub.0-.infin. ratio of about
500.times.10.sup.3 mL/h or less.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0023] All publications and patent applications mentioned in this
specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same
extent as if each individual publication or patent application was
specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by
reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The novel features of the invention are set forth with
particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the
features and advantages of the present invention may be obtained by
reference to the following detailed description that sets forth
illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention,
in certain embodiments, are utilized, and the accompanying drawings
of which:
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates the release profiles of Capsules 1-4
subjected to USP Apparatus 2 at 37.degree. C. and 100 rpm.
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates the mean plasma testosterone
concentrations following administration of several oral dosage
forms described herein and an immediate release oral dosage.
[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates the mean plasma testosterone undecanote
concentrations following administration of several oral dosage
forms described herein and an immediate release oral dosage.
[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates the mean plasma dihydrotestosterone
concentrations following administration of several oral dosage
forms described herein and an immediate release oral dosage.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions and methods
of using the same. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical
compositions are formulated for oral delivery as an oral dosage
form. In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition
described herein comprises a steroidal compound and at least one
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In some embodiments, a
pharmaceutical composition described herein is an oral dosage form
comprising a steroidal compound and at least one pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier. In specific embodiments, the steroidal compound
is a steroidal androgen (e.g., testosterone, dihydrotestosterone,
analogs, or prodrugs thereof). In certain embodiments, analogs or
prodrugs of testosterone include, e.g., esters of testosterone. In
specific embodiments, the esters of testosterone include, e.g.,
alkyl (e.g., straight chain, branched, cyclic, unsaturated,
partially saturated, fully saturated and the like) esters of
testosterone. Specifically, alkyl esters of testosterone include,
by way of non-limiting example, lower alkyl esters (e.g.,
testosterone C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl esters such as testosterone
propionate, testosterone enthanate, or testosterone undecanoate),
or higher alkyl esters (e.g., testosterone C.sub.14+ alkyl esters
such as testosterone palmitate). In further embodiments, the alkyl
esters of testosterone include, by way of non-limiting example,
cycloalkylalkyl esters (e.g., testosterone cypionate), cycloalkyl
esters, and alkylcycloalkyl esters. In more specific embodiments,
the testosterone alkyl ester is testosterone undecanoate. In
certain embodiments, alkyl groups of the alkyl esters and/or other
positions of the steroidal compound (e.g., testosterone alkyl
ester, such as testosterone undecanoate) described herein are
optionally substituted, e.g., with one or more halogen, hydroxy
group, amino group, or the like, or combinations thereof.
[0030] In various embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions are
formulated for androgen (e.g., testosterone) therapy. In certain
instances, the androgen therapy is an androgen (e.g., testosterone)
replacement therapy. In some embodiments, the androgen replacement
therapy is utilized to treat individuals suffering from androgen
deficiency (e.g., postmenopausal women, menopausal women, sexually
dysfunctional women, andropausal men, hypogonadal men, and the
like) or treat individuals in need of increased androgen levels. In
some embodiments, the androgen (e.g., testosterone) replacement
therapy is utilized for the treatment of individuals diagnosed with
or exhibiting symptoms of androgen (e.g., testosterone) deficiency
including, e.g., in aging men.
[0031] Provided in certain embodiments herein are pharmaceutical
compositions that provide a plasma C.sub.max of testosterone that
is less than 1500 ng/dL in at least 85% of a population of
individuals (following administration of a single dose and/or in
the steady state) when administered to a population of individuals
(e.g., adult and/or pubescent human males). In some embodiments a
pharmaceutical composition described herein provides a plasma
C.sub.max of testosterone that is less than 1800 ng/dL in at least
95% of a population of individuals (following administration of a
single dose and/or in the steady state) when administered to a
population of individuals (e.g., adult and/or pubescent human
males). In some embodiments the oral dosage forms provide a plasma
C.sub.max of testosterone that is less than 2500 ng/dL in all
individuals (following administration of a single dose and/or in
the steady state) when administered to a population of individuals
(e.g., adult and/or pubescent human males). In some embodiments,
the individuals are adult humans. In specific embodiments, the
adult humans are adult hypogonadal or otherwise androdeficient male
humans.
[0032] In certain instances, normal human male testes produce four
to eight milligrams of testosterone daily and human females produce
less. Within certain contexts of the invention described herein, it
will be generally recognized by those of skill in the art that the
physiological "normal" range of total testosterone in men is about
250 to about 1,100 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) and in healthy
women is about 11 ng/dL to about 78 ng/dL. Journal of Clinical
Endocrinology & Metabolism, 85(7):2395-401.
[0033] Provided in some embodiments herein are pharmaceutical
compositions that provide a C.sub.min that is about 10 ng/dL or
greater and a C.sub.max that is about 100 ng/dL or less in at least
50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at
least 95% of adult female humans (e.g., postmenopausal or otherwise
androdeficient female humans) when administered to a population of
adult female humans (following administration of a single dose
and/or in the steady state). Provided in some embodiments herein
are pharmaceutical compositions that provide a C.sub.min that is
about 12 ng/dL or greater and a C.sub.max that is about 82 ng/dL or
less in at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at
least 90%, at least 95% of adult female humans (e.g.,
postmenopausal or otherwise androdeficient female humans) when
administered to a population of adult female humans (following
administration of a single dose and/or in the steady state).
[0034] In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition provided
herein is a delayed release oral dosage form comprising a steroidal
compound and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In
certain instances, the delayed release oral dosage forms release
the active in an aqueous medium (e.g., water, gastric fluid, or an
aqueous solution with a pH of about 5.8) at a rate slower than an
immediate or fast release oral dosage form (e.g., as measured by
the amount of active found in the aqueous medium). In some
embodiments, delayed release oral dosage forms comprise a steroidal
compound, at least one hydrophilic carrier. In further embodiments,
delayed release oral dosage forms comprise a steroidal compound, at
least one hydrophilic carrier, and at least one lipidic and/or
lipophilic carrier. In still further embodiments, the delayed
release oral dosage form comprises at least one steroidal compound,
at least one hydrophilic carrier, at least one lipidic and/or
lipophilic carrier, and at least one viscosity enhancer or
solidifying agent. In still further embodiments, the delayed
release oral dosage form comprises at least one steroidal compound
and at least one viscosity enhancer or solidifying agent. In some
embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition provided herein is
formulated, e.g., with the viscosity enhancing agent or solidifying
agent, to provide a solid, a semi-solid, a gel, a jelly, a paste,
or the like. In specific embodiments, the delayed release oral
dosage form is a capsule (e.g., a hard- or soft-gel capsule, a
tablet or other solid dosage form). In some embodiments, the
delayed release dosage form provided herein comprises the active
(e.g., one or more testosterone alkyl ester such as testosterone
undecanoate) in different release fractions (e.g., an immediate
release portion and a delayed release portion). In specific
embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions or dosage forms provided
herein comprise one or more of an immediate release portions or
fractions, fast release portions or fractions, or combinations
thereof and an enteric-release portion or fraction,
sustained-release portion or fraction, controlled-release portion
or fraction, extended-release portion or fraction,
pulsatile-release portion or fraction, timed-release portion or
fraction, or combinations thereof.
Pharmaceutical Compositions
[0035] In certain embodiments, provided herein is a pharmaceutical
composition comprising at least one steroidal compound (e.g.,
testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, estradiol, or analogs or
prodrugs thereof) and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable
carrier. In specific embodiments, the steroidal compound is a
steroidal androgen (e.g., testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, or
prodrugs thereof). In some embodiments, the steroidal compound is
an alkylated, hydroxy-alkylated and/or hydroxy-alkoylated natural
steroid (e.g., testosterone alkyl ester, dihydrotestosterone alkyl
ester, estradiol alkyl ester, or the like). In certain embodiments,
analogs or prodrugs of testosterone include, e.g., esters of
testosterone. In specific embodiments, the esters of testosterone
include, e.g., alkyl (e.g., straight chain, branched, cyclic,
unsaturated, partially saturated, fully saturated and the like)
esters of testosterone. Specifically, alkyl esters of testosterone
include, by way of non-limiting example, lower alkyl esters (e.g.,
testosterone C.sub.2-C.sub.13 alkyl esters such as testosterone
propionate, testosterone enthanate, or testosterone undecanoate),
or higher alkyl esters (e.g., testosterone C.sub.14+ alkyl esters
such as testosterone palmitate). In further embodiments, the alkyl
esters of testosterone include, by way of non-limiting example,
cycloalkylalkyl esters (e.g., testosterone cypionate), cycloalkyl
esters, and alkylcycloalkyl esters. In more specific embodiments,
the testosterone alkyl ester is testosterone undecanoate. In some
embodiments, the at least one steroidal compound comprises (1) a
testosterone lower alkyl ester (e.g., testosterone propionate,
testosterone enthanate, or testosterone undecanoate); and (2) a
testosterone higher alkyl ester (e.g., testosterone palmitate).
Generally, as used herein, a pharmaceutical composition comprising
a steroidal compound includes the disclosure of a pharmaceutical
composition comprising one or more steroidal compounds.
[0036] In certain embodiments, any pharmaceutical composition
described herein comprises a therapeutically effective amount of at
least one steroidal compound (e.g., a testosterone alkyl ester,
such as testosterone undecanoate). In some embodiments, a
therapeutically effective amount of a steroidal compound (e.g., a
testosterone alkyl ester, such as testosterone undecanoate) is
divided into one or more oral dosage form. In some embodiments, the
one or more of the oral dosage forms described herein collectively
comprise a therapeutically effective amount of a testosterone alkyl
ester (e.g., testosterone undecanoate). Thus, in some embodiments,
the therapeutically effective amount of a steroidal compound (e.g.,
a testosterone alkyl ester, such as testosterone undecanoate)
within a pharmaceutical composition described herein may vary when
the pharmaceutical composition is administered in combination with
another therapy. Furthermore, therapeutically effective amounts of
a formulation may depend on the specific formulation within which
the at least one steroidal compound is found. For example, in some
embodiments, more than one steroidal compound is present in a
pharmaceutical composition described herein. Thus, when there is a
combination of steroidal compounds, in certain instances one or
both of the steroidal compounds present has a therapeutically
effective amount that is lower than is required when the steroidal
compounds are administered separately or alone. In some
embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition described herein further
comprises an adjuvant, which, in certain instances, allows for a
lower amount of a steroidal compound to be utilized as a
therapeutically effective amount.
[0037] In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition
described herein comprises about 1 mg to about 1.5 g, about 10 mg
to about 1000 mg, or about 10 mg to about 200 mg of a steroidal
compound (e.g., a testosterone alkyl ester, such as testosterone
undecanoate). In specific embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition
described herein comprises about 10 mg to about 50 mg, about 15 mg
to about 40 mg, about 20 mg, to about 30 mg, or about 25 mg of
steroidal compound (e.g., a testosterone alkyl ester, such as
testosterone undecanoate). In other embodiments, a pharmaceutical
composition described herein comprises about 70 mg to about 150 mg,
about 80 mg to about 140 mg, about 90 mg to about 140 mg, about 100
mg to about 130 mg, about 110 mg to about 130 mg, or about 120 mg
of a steroidal compound (e.g., a testosterone alkyl ester, such as
testosterone undecanoate). In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical
composition described herein comprises about 0.1 mg to about 5 mg
of a steroidal compound (e.g., a testosterone alkyl ester such as
testosterone undecanoate) per kg of an individual to whom the oral
dosage form is to be administered. In certain embodiments, a
pharmaceutical composition described herein comprises an amount of
a steroidal compound (e.g., a testosterone alkyl ester, such as
testosterone undecanoate) sufficient to provide about 1 mg to about
1 g, about 5 mg to about 500 mg, about 10 mg to about 300 mg, or
about 20 to about 250 mg of a steroidal compound (e.g., a
testosterone alkyl ester, such as testosterone undecanoate) to an
individual upon once a day, twice a day, three times a day, or four
times a day oral administration.
[0038] In some embodiments, the at least one pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier is any carrier suitable for delivering an
efficacious amount of a steroidal compound, e.g., a testosterone
alkyl ester, to an individual. In some embodiments, the at least
one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is or comprises a
hydrophilic carrier (e.g., a hydrophilic surfactant or hydrophilic
additive). In certain embodiments, the at least one
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is a lipophilic carrier (e.g.,
a lipophilic surfactant or lipophilic additive). In some
embodiments, the at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier
is a hydrophilic carrier (e.g., a hydrophilic surfactant or
hydrophilic additive) and a lipophilic carrier (e.g., a lipophilic
surfactant or lipophilic additive). In certain embodiments, the
hydrophilic carrier is a hydrophilic triglyceride. In specific
embodiments, the hydrophilic triglyceride is a polyoxylated castor
oil, or a polyoxylated hydrogenated castor oil. In some
embodiments, any pharmaceutical composition provided herein
consists essentially of a lipophilic carrier or combination of
lipophilic carriers. In certain embodiments, any pharmaceutical
composition provided herein comprises a lipophilic carrier and less
than 10% w/w, less than 5% w/w or is substantially free of a
hydrophilic carrier. In certain embodiments, any pharmaceutical
composition provided herein comprises a lipophilic carrier and less
than 10% w/w, less than 5% w/w or is substantially free of a
hydrophilic carrier. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical
composition comprising a carrier (e.g., a hydrophilic carrier
and/or a lipophilic carrier), the pharmaceutical composition is a
solid, a semi-solid, a gel, a jelly, a paste, or the like. In
certain embodiments, e.g., wherein a pharmaceutical composition
comprising a hydrophilic carrier and/or a lipophilic carrier, a
viscosity enhancing agent or a solidifying agent is utilized to
afford a pharmaceutical composition that is a solid, a semi-solid,
a gel, a jelly, a paste, or the like. Thus, in certain embodiments,
the at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is a
hydrophilic carrier (e.g., a hydrophilic surfactant or hydrophilic
additive) and a viscosity enhancing or solidifying agent. In
certain embodiments, the at least one pharmaceutically acceptable
carrier is a lipophilic carrier (e.g., a lipophilic surfactant or
lipophilic additive) and a viscosity enhancing or solidifying
agent. In some embodiments, the at least one pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier is or comprises a hydrophilic carrier (e.g., a
hydrophilic surfactant or hydrophilic additive), a lipophilic
carrier (e.g., a lipophilic surfactant or lipophilic additive), and
a viscosity enhancing or solidifying agent. In some embodiments,
the at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is or
comprises an amphiphilic or zwitterionic carrier (e.g., a
amphiphilic surfactant or amphiphilic additive). In certain
embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is any carrier
suitable for achieving one or more of the pharmacokinetic and/or
pharmacodynamic profiles set forth herein.
[0039] Additives useful herein include chemical substances that are
generally pharmacologically inactive. Further, the additive may be
solid, liquid or semi-solid in nature at about ambient room
temperature. Furthermore, the additive may be hydrophilic or
lipophilic. In certain instances, a "hydrophilic additive" is a
substance that has at least one polar side group in its chemical
structure which will attract water; whereas a "lipophilic additive"
exhibits a tendency to repel water.
[0040] In some embodiments, the hydrophilic or lipophilic additive
is contained within the components forming a composition and/or
pharmaceutical dosage form thereof. In certain embodiments, the
hydrophilic or lipophilic additive is in an encapsulation coat in
compositions. Alternatively, the additives can be comprised in the
pharmaceutical composition but not as part of the composition
itself. Specific, non-limiting examples of additives are described
below.
[0041] Suitable additives include any additive that can facilitate
the processes involving the preparation of a pharmaceutical
composition and/or dosage form described herein. In some instances,
such additives include those commonly utilized to facilitate the
processes involving the preparation of a composition and/or a
pharmaceutical dosage form described herein. These processes
include agglomeration, air suspension chilling, air suspension
drying, balling, coacervation, comminution, compression,
pelletization, cryopelletization, encapsulation, extrusion,
granulation, homogenization, inclusion complexation,
lyophilization, nanoencapsulation, melting, mixing, molding, pan
coating, solvent dehydration, sonication, spheronization, spray
chilling, spray congealing, spray drying, or other processes known
in the art. In certain instances, the additive is optionally
pre-coated or encapsulated. Suitable additives are optionally
utilized to influence the drug release from the composition and/or
pharmaceutical dosage form.
[0042] Suitable additives utilized in various embodiments described
herein include, by way of non-limiting example, adsorbing agents,
anti-adherents, anticoagulants, antifoaming agents, antioxidants,
anti-caking agents, anti-static agents, binders, bile acids,
bufferants, bulking agents, chelating agents, coagulants,
colorants, co-solvent, opaquants, congealing agents, coolants,
cryoprotectants, diluents, dehumidifying agents, desiccants,
desensitizers, disintegrants, dispersing agents, enzyme inhibitors,
glidants, fillers, hydrating agent, super disintegrants, gums,
mucilages, hydrogen bonding agents, enzymes, flavorants,
humectants, humidifying agents, lubricant oils, ion-exchange
resins, lubricants, plasticizers, pH modifying agents,
preservatives, solidifying agent, solvents, solubilizers, spreading
agent sweeteners, stabilizers, surface area enhancing agents,
suspending agent, thickeners, viscosity increasing agents, waxes
and mixtures thereof.
[0043] Some non-limiting examples of the hydrophilic or lipophilic
additives suitable for the current invention are as follows:
[0044] Alcohols and/or Polyols (e.g. ethanol, isopropanol, butanol,
benzyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol,
sorbitol, mannitol, dimethyl isosorbide, polyethylene glycol, fatty
acid alcohol, vinyl alcohol polypropylene glycol, polyvinylalcohol,
tocopherols, cellulose cyclodextrins, other derivatives, forms,
mixtures thereof, or the like); ethers of polyethylene glycols
having an average molecular weight of about 200 to about 20,000
(e.g. tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol PEG ether, methoxy PEG, or the
like); Amides (e.g. 2-pyrrolidone, 2-piperidone,
.epsilon.-caprolactam, N-alkylpyrrolidone,
N-hydroxyalkylpyrrolidone, N-alkylpiperidone, N-alkylcaprolactam,
dimethylacetamide, polyvinylpyrrolidone and the like.); Esters
(e.g. ethyl propionate, tributylcitrate, acetyl triethylcitrate,
acetyl tributyl citrate, triethylcitrate, ethyl oleate, ethyl
caprylate, ethyl butyrate, triacetin, propylene glycol monoacetate,
propylene glycol diacetate, .epsilon.-caprolactone and isomers
thereof, .delta.-valerolactone and isomers thereof,
.beta.-butyrolactone and isomers thereof; and other additives known
in the art, such as dimethyl acetamide, dimethyl isosorbide,
N-methyl pyrrolidones, monooctanoin, diethylene glycol monoethyl
ether, or the like); Amino acids (e.g. P-aminobenzamidine, sodium
glycocholate) mesylate; Amino acids and modified amino acids (e.g.
aminoboronic acid derivatives and n-acetylcysteine; Peptides and
modified peptides (e.g. bacitracin, phosphinic acid dipeptide
derivatives, pepstatin, antipain, leupeptin, chymostatin, elastin,
bestatin, phoshporamindon, puromycin, cytochalasin potatocarboxy
peptidase inhibitor, amastatin, or the like); Polypeptide protease
inhibitors; Mucoadhesive polymers (e.g. polyacrylate derivatives,
chitosan, cellulosics, chitosan-EDTA, chitosan-EDTA-antipain,
polyacrylic acid, carboxymethyl cellulose etc.); or the like; or
combinations thereof.
[0045] Some more examples of suitable additives for compositions
and/or dosage forms described herein include, by way of
non-limiting example, talc, magnesium stearate, silica (e.g. fumed
silica, micronized silica, magnesium aluminum silicate etc.) and/or
derivatives, polyethylene glycols, surfactants, waxes, oils, cetyl
alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol, stearic acid, stearic acid salts,
stearic acid derivatives, starch, hydrogenated vegetable oils,
hydrogenatied castor oils, sodium benzoate, sodium acetate,
leucine, PEG, alkyl sulfate salts; acetylated monoglycerides;
long-chain alcohols; silicone derivatives; butylated hydroxy
toluene (BHT), butylated hydroxyl anisole (BHA), gallic acid,
propyl gallate, ascorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate,
4-hydroxymethyl-2,6-di-tert-butyl phenol, dry starch, dry sugars,
polyvinyl pyrrolidones, starch paste, methacrylic copolymers,
bentonite, sucrose, polymericcellulose derivatives, shellac, sugar
syrup; corn syrup; polysaccharides, acacia, tragacanth, guar gum,
xanthan gums; alginates; gelatin; gelatin hydrolysate; agar;
sucrose; dextrose; PEG, vinyl pyrrolidone copolymers, poloxamers;
pregelatinized starch, sorbitol, glucose); acetic acid,
hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydriodic acid, sulfuric acid,
nitric acid, boric acid, phosphoric acid, acetic acid, acrylic
acid, adipic acid, alginic acid, alkanesulfonic acid, amino acids,
ascorbic acid, benzoic acid, boric acid, butyric acid, carbonic
acid, citric acid, fatty acids, formic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic
acid, hydroquinosulfonic acid, isoascorbic acid, lactic acid,
maleic acid, methanesulfonic acid, oxalic acid,
para-bromophenylsulfonic acid, propionic acid, p-toluenesulfonic
acid, salicylic acid, stearic acid, succinic acid, tannic acid,
tartaric acid, thioglycolic acid, toluenesulfonic acid and uric
acid, vinegar, pharmaceutically acceptable bases, such as an amino
acid, an amino acid ester, ammonium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide,
sodium hydroxide, sodium hydrogen carbonate, aluminum hydroxide,
calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium aluminum
silicate, synthetic aluminum silicate, synthetic hydrotalcite,
magnesium aluminum hydroxide, diisopropylethylamine, ethanolamine,
ethylenediamine, triethanolamine, triethylamine,
triisopropanolamine; salt of a pharmaceutically acceptable cation
and an anion; EDTA and EDTA salts; titanium dioxide, food dyes,
lakes, natural vegetable colorants, iron oxides, silicates,
sulfates, magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide; halogenated
hydrocarbons, trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, dichloromethane,
fluorotrichloromethane, diethylether, trehelose, phosphates, citric
acid, tartaric acid, gelatin, dextran and mannitol, lactose,
mannitol, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, spray-dried lactose,
hydrolyzed starches, directly compressible starch, microcrystalline
cellulose, cellulosic derivatives, sorbitol, sucrose, sucrose-based
materials, calcium sulfate, dibasic calcium phosphate, dextrose,
croscarmellose sodium, starch, starch derivatives, clays, gums,
cellulose, cellulose derivates, alginates, crosslinked
polyvinylpyrrolidone, sodium starch glycolate and microcrystalline
cellulose, magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonates; desensitizers,
spray-dried flavors, essential oils, ethyl vanillin,
styrene/divinyl benzene copolymers, quaternary ammonium compounds,
polyethylene glycol, citrate esters (such as triethyl citrate,
acetyl triethyl citrate, acetyltributyl citrate), acetylated
monoglycerides, glycerin, triacetin, propylene glycol, phthalate
esters (e.g., diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate), castor oil,
sorbitol and dibutyl sebacate, ascorbic acid, boric acid, sorbic
acid, benzoic acid, and salts thereof, parabens, phenols, benzyl
alcohol, and quaternary ammonium compounds; alcohols, ketones,
esters, chlorinated hydrocarbons water; sweeteners, (e.g. maltose,
sucrose, glucose, sorbitol, glycerin and dextrins, aspartame,
saccharine, saccharine salts, glycyrrhizin), viscosity modifiers,
sugars, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulosics, polymers, gums and/or
alginates.
[0046] Additives can also be materials such as proteins (e.g.,
collagen, gelatin, Zein, gluten, mussel protein, lipoprotein);
carbohydrates (e.g., alginates, carrageenan, cellulose derivatives,
pectin, starch, chitosan); gums (e.g., xanthan gum, gum arabic);
spermaceti; natural or synthetic waxes; carnuaba wax; fatty acids
(e.g., stearic acid, hydroxystearic acid); fatty alcohols; sugars;
shellacs, such as those based on sugars (e.g., lactose, sucrose,
dextrose) or starches; polysaccharide-based shellacs (e.g.,
maltodextrin and maltodextrin derivatives, dextrates, cyclodextrin
and cyclodextrin derivatives); cellulosic-based polymers (e.g.,
ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose,
sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose,
ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, HPMC acid succinates,
cellulose acetate, cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate butyrate,
cellulose acetate trimellitate, carboxymethylethyl cellulose,
hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose phthalate), shellacs; inorganics,
such as dicalcium phosphate, hydroxyapitite, tricalcium phosphate,
talc and titania; polyols, such as mannitol, xylitol and sorbitol;
polyethylene glycol esters; and polymers, such as alginates,
poly(lactide coglycolide), gelatin, crosslinked gelatin, and
agar-agar.
[0047] It should be appreciated that there is considerable overlap
between the above-listed additives in common usage, since a given
hydrophilic or lipophilic additive is often classified differently
by different practitioners in the field, or is commonly used for
any of several different or overlapping functions. Thus, the
above-listed hydrophilic or lipophilic additives should be taken as
merely exemplary, and not limiting, of the types of additives that
can be included in compositions of the present invention. In
certain embodiments, the amounts of such additives are optionally
adjusted and/or determined by one skilled in the art, according to
the particular properties desired.
[0048] In certain embodiments, the at least one pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier comprises at least one hydrophilic carrier
(e.g., hydrophilic surfactant). In some embodiments, the
hydrophilic carrier is a polyoxylated glyceride (e.g., mono-, di-,
or tri-glyceride), a polyoxylated vegetable oil, a polyoxylated
hydrogenated vegetable oil, a polyoxylated fatty acid (mono-, or
di-substituted), combinations thereof, or the like. In certain
embodiments, the at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier
comprises or further comprises a lipophilic carrier. Lipophilic
carriers are selected from, by way of non-limiting example, a
lipophilic surfactant, a vegetable oil (e.g., castor oil), a fatty
acid, a fatty alcohol, a glyceride (e.g., mono-, di-, or
tri-glyceride), a hydrogenated vegetable oil, a Vitamin E compound
(e.g., d,l-.alpha.-tocopherol), a trigliceride, a fatty acid,
polyoxylated fatty acid, polyoxylated triglyceride, polyoxylated
vegetable oil, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments,
polyoxylated compounds include polyethoxylated compounds.
[0049] In certain embodiments, the at least one hydrophilic
carriers make up about 1% to about 99% w/w, about 2% to about 80%
w/w, about 2% to about 50% w/w, or about 10% to about 40% w/w of
any pharmaceutical composition described herein. In some
embodiments, lipophilic carriers make up about 1% w/w to about 99%
w/w, about 2% to about 80% w/w, about 10% w/w to about 80% w/w,
about 30% w/w, to about 80% w/w, or about 40% to about 80% w/w of
any pharmaceutical composition described herein.
[0050] In specific embodiments, provided herein is a pharmaceutical
composition (e.g., a delayed release dosage form) comprising a
hydrophilic carrier. In more specific embodiments, the hydrophilic
carrier is or comprises a polyoxylated vegetable oil (e.g., a
polyoxylated, hydrogenated vegetable oil). In still more specific
embodiments, a polyoxylated vegetable oil is a polyoxylated castor
oil (e.g., a polyoxylated, hydrogenated castor oil). In certain
embodiments, the lipidic and/or lipophilic carrier is not a
C.sub.6-C.sub.18 fatty acid. In some embodiments, the lipophilic
carrier is a C.sub.20+ fatty acid. In some embodiments, the lipidic
and/or lipophilic carrier is not a fatty acid or an un-modified
(e.g., non-polyoxylated) vegetable oil. In more specific
embodiments, the lipidic and/or lipophilic carrier is not oleic
acid or castor oil. In certain specific embodiments provided herein
is a pharmaceutical composition (e.g., a delayed release dosage
form) comprising an amphiphilic carrier. In more specific
embodiments, the amphiphilic carrier is or comprises a zwitterionic
choline (e.g., phosphatidylcholine). In some specific embodiments,
provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition (e.g., a delayed
release dosage form) comprising a lipophilic carrier. In more
specific embodiments, the lipophilic carrier is or comprises, by
way of non-limiting example, a mono-, di- or triglyceride (e.g.,
glycerol monolinoleate).
[0051] In some embodiments, the at least one pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier comprises at least one hydrophilic carrier, and
at least one lipidic and/or lipophilic carrier. In further
embodiments, the at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier
comprises at least one hydrophilic carrier, at least one lipidic
and/or lipophilic carrier, and at least one viscosity enhancer or
solidifying agent. In some embodiments, the solidifying agent is a
polyethylene glycol (e.g., a high molecular weight polyethylene
glycol, such as PEG 8000). In specific embodiments, a
pharmaceutical composition described herein comprises, along with a
steroidal agent (e.g., a testosterone alkyl ester), a hydrogenated
and polyoxylated castor oil and a polyethylene glycol. In more
specific embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition comprising a
hydrogenated and polyoxylated castor oil and a polyethylene glycol
further comprises an additional lipidic and/or lipophilic carrier.
In some embodiments, the additional lipidic and/or lipophilic
carrier is a monoglyceride, a diglyceride, a Vitamin E compound, or
a combination thereof.
[0052] In certain embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions
described herein include oral dosage forms or delayed release oral
dosage forms of any of Tables A to Q. In Tables A to Q, approximate
weight percentages of the compositions formulated into the capsules
are provided. In specific embodiments, the steroidal compound of
any of Capsules A1 to Q2 comprises an alkyl ester testosterone
(e.g., testosterone undecanoate). In certain instances, provided in
the tables are non-limiting grades and/or sources of components
utilized. Disclosure provided in Tables A to Q is not limited to
the grades and/or sources described.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE A Capsule A1 Capsule A2 Component % w/w % w/w
Steroidal Compound (~10-1000 mg) 1-50 10-30 Hydrophilic Carrier
1-90 10-30 Lipophilic Carrier 1-90 40-70 Solidifying Agent
(additive) 1-20 5-10
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE B Capsule B1 Capsule B2 Component % w/w % w/w
Testosterone undecanoate (~10-1000 mg) 1-50 15 Polyoxyl 40
Hydrogenated Castor Oil, NF 1-50 16 Glycerol Monolinoleate, NF
(Maisine 35-1) 30-90 63 Polyethylene Glycol 8000, USP 1-20 6
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE C Capsule C1 Component % w/w Capsule C2
Testosterone undecanoate (~10-1000 mg) 1-50 25 Polyoxyl 35 Castor
Oil, NF 1-50 21 Vitamin E, USP (d,l-.alpha.-tocopherol) 30-90 48
Polyethylene Glycol 8000, USP 1-20 6
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE D Capsule D1 Capsule D2 Component % w/w % w/w
Steroidal Compound (~10-1000 mg) 15 10-30 Lauryl macrogol glyceride
(Gelucire 44/14) 51 20-90 Stearoyl macrogol glyceride (Gelucire
50/13) 34 10-90
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE E Capsule E1 Capsule E2 Component % w/w % w/w
Steroidal Compound (~10-1000 mg) 20 10-30 C8-C18 macrogol glyceride
(Gelucire 43/01) 35 10-70 Polyglyceryl-3-oleate (Caprol 3GO) 45
5-60
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE F Capsule F1 Capsule F2 Component % w/w % w/w
Steroidal Compound (~10-1000 mg) 15 10-25 Lauryl macrogol glyceride
(Gelucire 44/14) 40 5-80 Vitamin E 30 2-60 Hypromellose (Methocel
K100 M LV, CR) 15 5-25
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE G Capsule G1 Capsule G2 Component % w/w % w/w
Steroidal Compound (~10-1000 mg) 15 10-30 PEG-40 hydrogenated
Castor Oil 60 5-80 (Cremophor .RTM. RH40) Polyethylene glycol 8000
15 5-40 Hypromellose (Methocel K100 M LV, CR) 10 5-25
TABLE-US-00008 TABLE H Capsule H1 Capsule H2 Component % w/w % w/w
Steroidal Compound (~10-1000 mg) 15 10-30 Corn Glycerides (Maisine
35-1) 60 5-90 Polyethylene glycol 8000 20 5-70
TABLE-US-00009 TABLE I Capsule I1 Capsule I2 Component % w/w % w/w
Steroidal Compound (~10-1000 mg) 25 10-30 PEG-40 hydrogenated
Castor Oil 15 5-80 (Cremophor .RTM. RH40) Vitamin E 20 2-60 Corn
Glycerides (Maisine 35-1) 30 5-50 Polyethylene Glycol 8000 10
5-20
TABLE-US-00010 TABLE J Capsule J1 Capsule J2 Component % w/w % w/w
Steroidal Compound (~10-1000 mg) 15 10-30 Hydrogenated vegetable
oil 50 2-80 Polyethylene glycol 8000 35 2-80
TABLE-US-00011 TABLE K Capsule K1 Capsule K2 Component % w/w % w/w
Steroidal Compound (~10-1000 mg) 50 30-60 Corn Glycerides (Maisine
35-1) 50 30-60
TABLE-US-00012 TABLE L Capsule L1 Capsule L2 Component % w/w % w/w
Steroidal Compound (~10-1000 mg) 40 30-60 Fish Oil 50 30-60 Vitamin
E 10 3-15
TABLE-US-00013 TABLE M Capsule M1 Capsule M2 Component % w/w % w/w
Steroidal Compound (~10-1000 mg) 40 30-60 Omega-3-acid esters 50
30-60 Polyethylene glycol 8000 5 3-15
TABLE-US-00014 TABLE N Capsule N1 Capsule N2 Component % w/w % w/w
Testosterone undecanoate 5-30 10-20 Polyoxyl 40 Hydrogenated Castor
Oil, NF 5-30 10-20 Glyceryl Monolinoleate, NF (Maisine 35-1) 50-90
55-70 Polyethylene Glycol 8000, USP 1-15 3-8
TABLE-US-00015 TABLE O Capsule O1 Capsule O2 Component % w/w % w/w
Testosterone undecanoate 10-40 20-30 Polyoxyl 35 Castor Oil, NF
10-30 15-25 Vitamin E, USP (d, l-.alpha.-tocopherol) 30-70 40-55
Polyethylene Glycol 8000, USP 1-15 3-8
TABLE-US-00016 TABLE P Capsule P1 Capsule P2 Component % w/w % w/w
Testosterone undecanoate 10-40 20-25 Vitamin E Polyethylene Glycol
Succinate, NF 10-40 20-25 Vitamin E, USP (d, l-tocopherol) 15-60
30-40 Polyethylene Glycol 8000, USP 1-10 2-6 Hypromellose (100 cP,
K100 Premium LV) 5-40 15-25
TABLE-US-00017 TABLE Q Capsule Q1 Capsule Q2 Component % w/w % w/w
Testosterone undecanoate 10-40 20-25 Vitamin E Polyethylene Glycol
Succinate, NF 10-40 20-25 Vitamin E, USP (d, l-tocopherol) 15-60
30-40 Polyethylene Glycol 8000, USP 1-10 2-6 Hypromellose (4,000
cP, K4M) 5-40 15-25
[0053] In certain embodiments, any pharmaceutical composition
described herein, e.g., a pharmaceutical composition of any of
Tables A to Q can be prepared by (i) combining and heating all
ingredients until a molten mixture is obtained (e.g., 50-70.degree.
C.); and (ii) encapsulating an amount of molten mixture comprising
a select dose (e.g., a therapeutically effective amount or a
partial dose of a therapeutically effective amount) of steroidal
compound to obtain an oral dosage form. In certain instances, the
molten mixture is spray-congealed to obtain beads. In some
instances, the molten mixture is sprayed onto inert cores (e.g.,
sugar spheres) to obtain coated cores. In certain embodiments, such
beads, cores, or similar forms are encapsulated or otherwise
formulated to provide an oral dosage form. In some instances, the
molten mixture is admixed, uniformly dispersed, or granulated over
a carrier and compressed into a tablet dosage form. In certain
embodiments, prior to compression, the molten mixture/carrier
composition is further mixed with one or more pharmaceutical aid
including, by way of non-limiting example, glidants, lubricants,
binders, or the like. In some embodiments, the carrier is a
therapeutically inert carrier such as, by way of non-limiting
example, microcrystalline cellulose, starch, lactose, or the
like.
[0054] In some embodiments, compositions described herein (e.g.,
compositions set forth in Tables K to M), are optionally filled
into a delayed release capsule or shell, or are otherwise coated or
encapsulated with a delayed release coat.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
[0055] Provided in certain embodiments herein are androgen
therapies (e.g., testosterone undecanoate therapies),
pharmaceutical compositions and oral dosage forms that provide a
plasma C.sub.max of testosterone that is less than 1500 ng/dL in at
least 85% of a population of individuals (following administration
of a single dose and/or in the steady state) when administered to a
population of individuals. In some embodiments the androgen
therapies (e.g., testosterone undecanoate therapies),
pharmaceutical compositions or oral dosage forms provide a plasma
C.sub.max of testosterone that is less than 1800 ng/dL in at least
95% of a population of individuals (following administration of a
single dose and/or in the steady state) when administered to a
population of individuals (e.g., adult and/or pubescent human
males). In some embodiments the androgen therapies (e.g.,
testosterone undecanoate therapies), pharmaceutical compositions or
oral dosage forms provide a plasma. C.sub.max of testosterone that
is less than 2500 ng/dL in all or substantially all individuals
(following administration of a single dose and/or in the steady
state) when administered to a population of individuals (e.g.,
adult and/or pubescent human males). In some embodiments, the
androgen therapies (e.g., testosterone undecanoate therapies),
pharmaceutical compositions and oral dosage forms provides a plasma
C.sub.max of testosterone that is less than 1500 ng/dL in at least
85% and less than 1800 ng/dL in at least 95% of a population of
individuals (following administration of a single dose and/or in
the steady state) when administered to a population of individuals
(e.g., adult and/or pubescent human males). In certain embodiments,
the androgen therapies (e.g., testosterone undecanoate therapies),
pharmaceutical compositions and oral dosage forms provides a plasma
C.sub.max of testosterone that is less than 1500 ng/dL in at least
85%, less than 1800 ng/dL in at least 95%, and less than 2500 ng/dL
in at least 99% of a population of individuals (following
administration of a single dose and/or in the steady state) when
administered to a population of individuals (e.g., adult and/or
pubescent human males). In some embodiments, the androgen therapies
(e.g., testosterone undecanoate therapies), pharmaceutical
compositions and oral dosage forms provides a plasma. C.sub.max of
testosterone that is less than 1500 ng/dL in at least 85%, and less
than 2500 ng/dL in at least 99% of a population of individuals
(following administration of a single dose and/or in the steady
state) when administered to a population of individuals (e.g.,
adult and/or pubescent human males). In some embodiments, the
androgen therapies (e.g., testosterone undecanoate therapies),
pharmaceutical compositions and oral dosage forms provides a
plasma. C.sub.max of testosterone that is less than 1800 ng/dL in
at least 95%, and less than 2500 ng/dL in at least 99% of a
population of individuals (following administration of a single
dose and/or in the steady state) when administered to a population
of individuals (e.g., adult and/or pubescent human males). In some
embodiments, as used in any description herein, individuals are
adult humans. In specific embodiments, the adult humans are adult
male humans. In certain embodiments, the individuals are adult
hypogonadal adult male humans Plasma concentrations described
herein are optionally obtained by administering a composition
described herein to human males, e.g., hypogonadal human males. In
other instances, plasma concentration are optionally obtained by
administering the composition to testosterone deficient human
subjects (e.g., postmenopausal women) who provide a population
representative of the effects of testosterone therapy on
individuals with low levels of testosterone. Clin. Endocrinology
2007, 66(4):570-85.
[0056] Provided in some embodiments herein are pharmaceutical
compositions that provide a C.sub.min that is about 10 ng/dL or
greater and a C.sub.max that is about 100 ng/dL or less in at least
50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at
least 95% of adult female humans (e.g., postmenopausal or otherwise
androdeficient female humans) when administered to a population of
adult female humans (following administration of a single dose
and/or in the steady state). Provided in some embodiments herein
are pharmaceutical compositions that provide a C.sub.min that is
about 12 ng/dL or greater and a C.sub.max that is about 82 ng/dL or
less in at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at
least 90%, at least 95% of adult female humans (e.g.,
postmenopausal or otherwise androdeficient female humans) when
administered to a population of adult female humans (following
administration of a single dose and/or in the steady state). In
some embodiments, the adult female humans are sexually
dysfunctional adult female humans. In certain embodiments, the
adult female humans are postmenopausal female humans.
[0057] Pharmaceutical compositions and oral dosage forms described
herein are formulated, in various embodiments, to achieve the
pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles herein in any suitable
manner. In certain instances, the desired pharmacokinetic and/or
pharmacodynamic profile described herein are obtained via the
modification of dosage form, the at least one pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier, the amount of steroidal compound (e.g., a
testosterone alkyl ester, such as testosterone undecanoate)
present, combinations thereof, or the like. In certain embodiments,
the population of individuals is one, one or more, two or more, or
a statistically significant number of individuals.
[0058] Provided in certain embodiments herein are androgen
therapies (e.g., testosterone undecanoate therapies),
pharmaceutical compositions or oral dosage forms described herein
that provide or are formulated to provide a plasma concentration of
testosterone at steady state that is between about 200 ng/dL and
1300 ng/dL in at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least
90%, at least 95%, or at least 99% of a population of individuals
when administered to the population of individuals. In some
embodiments androgen therapies (e.g., testosterone undecanoate
therapies), pharmaceutical compositions or oral dosage forms
described herein provide or are formulated to provide a plasma
concentration of testosterone at steady state that is between about
200 ng/dL and 1100 ng/dL in at least 75%, at least 80%, at least
85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 99% of a population of
individuals when administered to the population of individuals. In
certain embodiments pharmaceutical compositions or oral dosage
forms described herein provide or are formulated to provide a
plasma concentration of testosterone at steady state that is
between about 300 ng/dL and 1000 ng/dL in at least 50%, at least
60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at
least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 99% of a population of
individuals when administered to the population of individuals.
[0059] In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition or oral
dosage form described herein (e.g., for use in a steroidal, such as
testosterone undecanoate, therapy) is formulated such that a single
administration of the pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage
form provides a mean plasma. C.sub.max of testosterone that is
about 19 ng/mL or less, about 18 ng/mL or less, about 17 ng/mL or
less, about 16 ng/mL or less, about 15 ng/mL or less, about 14
ng/mL or less, about 5 ng/mL to about 19 ng/mL, about 5 ng/mL to
about 18 ng/mL, about 5 ng/mL to about 17 ng/mL, about 5 ng/mL to
about 16 ng/mL, about 5 ng/mL to about 15 ng/mL, about 5 ng/mL to
about 14 ng/mL, about 7 ng/mL to about 19 ng/mL, about 7 ng/mL to
about 18 ng/mL, about 7 ng/mL to about 17 ng/mL, about 7 ng/mL to
about 16 ng/mL, about 7 ng/mL to about 15 ng/mL, about 7 ng/mL to
about 14 ng/mL, about 10 ng/mL to about 19 ng/mL, about 10 ng/mL to
about 18 ng/mL, about 10 ng/mL to about 17 ng/mL, about 10 ng/mL to
about 16 ng/mL, about 10 ng/mL to about 15 ng/mL, or about 10 ng/mL
to about 14 ng/mL. In specific embodiments, an oral dosage form
described herein is formulated such that a single administration of
the oral dosage form provides a mean plasma. C.sub.max of
testosterone that is about 15 ng/mL or less, about 19 ng/mL or
less, about 5 ng/mL to about 19 ng/mL, or about 5 ng/mL to about 15
ng/mL. In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition or oral
dosage form described herein is formulated such that a single
administration of the pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage
form provides a mean plasma. C.sub.max of dihydrotestosterone that
is about 4.5 ng/mL or less, about 4.3 ng/mL or less, about 4.2
ng/mL or less, about 4.1 ng/mL or less, about 4 ng/mL or less,
about 3.9 ng/mL or less, about 3.8 ng/mL or less, about 3.7 ng/mL
or less, about 3.6 ng/mL or less, about 3.5 ng/mL or less, about
1.5 ng/mL to about 4.5 ng/mL, about 1.5 ng/mL to about 3.9 ng/mL,
about 1.5 ng/mL to about 3.8 ng/mL, about 1.5 ng/mL to about 3.7
ng/mL, about 1.5 ng/mL to about 3.6 ng/mL, about 1.5 ng/mL to about
3.5 ng/mL, about 2.0 ng/mL to about 4.5 ng/mL, about 2.0 ng/mL to
about 3.9 ng/mL, about 2.0 ng/mL to about 3.8 ng/mL, about 2.0
ng/mL to about 3.7 ng/mL, about 2.0 ng/mL to about 3.6 ng/mL, about
2.0 ng/mL to about 3.5 ng/mL, about 2.5 ng/mL to about 3.9 ng/mL,
about 2.5 ng/mL to about 3.8 ng/mL, about 2.5 ng/mL to about 3.7
ng/mL, about 2.5 ng/mL to about 3.6 ng/mL, or about 2.5 ng/mL to
about 3.5 ng/mL. In specific embodiments, a pharmaceutical
composition or oral dosage form described herein is formulated such
that a single administration of the pharmaceutical composition or
oral dosage form provides a mean plasma C.sub.max of
dihydrotestosterone that is about 3.6 ng/mL or less upon oral
administration. In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical
composition or oral dosage form described herein is formulated such
that a single administration of the pharmaceutical composition or
oral dosage form provides a mean plasma C.sub.max of testosterone
alkyl ester (e.g., testosterone undecanoate) that is about 400
ng/mL or less, about 380 ng/mL or less, about 360 ng/mL or less,
about 340 ng/mL or less, about 320 ng/mL or less, about 300 ng/mL
or less, or about 280 ng/mL or less, about 100 ng/mL to about 400
ng/mL, about 100 ng/mL to about 380 ng/mL, about 100 ng/mL to about
360 ng/mL, about 100 ng/mL to about 340 ng/mL, about 100 ng/mL to
about 320 ng/mL, about 100 ng/mL to about 300 ng/mL, about 100
ng/mL to about 280 ng/mL, about 150 ng/mL to about 400 ng/mL, about
150 ng/mL to about 380 ng/mL, about 150 ng/mL to about 360 ng/mL,
about 150 ng/mL to about 340 ng/mL, about 150 ng/mL to about 320
ng/mL, about 150 ng/mL to about 300 ng/mL, about 150 ng/mL to about
280 ng/mL, about 200 ng/mL to about 400 ng/mL, about 200 ng/mL to
about 380 ng/mL, about 200 ng/mL to about 360 ng/mL, about 200
ng/mL to about 340 ng/mL, about 200 ng/mL to about 320 ng/mL, about
200 ng/mL to about 300 ng/mL, or about 200 ng/mL to about 280
ng/mL. In specific embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition or
oral dosage form described herein is formulated such that a single
administration of the pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage
form provides a mean plasma. C.sub.max of testosterone undecanoate
that is about 380 ng/mL or less upon oral administration. In some
embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage form
described herein (e.g., for use in a steroidal, such as
testosterone undecanoate, therapy) is formulated such that a single
administration of the pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage
form provides a mean plasma. C.sub.max of testosterone that is
about 5 ng/mL to about 15 ng/mL, a mean plasma. C.sub.max of
dihydrotestosterone that is about 1.5 ng/mL to about 3.8 ng/mL, and
a mean plasma. C.sub.max of testosterone alkyl ester (e.g.,
testosterone undecanoate) that is about 100 ng/mL to about 380
ng/mL. In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition or oral
dosage form described herein (e.g., for use in a steroidal, such as
testosterone undecanoate, therapy) is formulated such that a single
administration of the pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage
form provides a mean plasma. C.sub.max of testosterone that is
about 5 ng/mL to about 19 ng/mL, a mean plasma. C.sub.max of
dihydrotestosterone that is about 1.5 ng/mL to about 4.5 ng/mL, and
a mean plasma C.sub.max of testosterone alkyl ester (e.g.,
testosterone undecanoate) that is about 100 ng/mL to about 380
ng/mL.
[0060] In some embodiments, provided herein is a pharmaceutical
composition or oral dosage form formulated such that it provides a
mean plasma concentration of testosterone that is about 200 ng/dL
or less, about 150 ng/dL or less, about 100 ng/dL or less, or about
75 ng/dL or less, about 5 ng/dL to about 200 ng/dL, about 5 ng/dL
to about 150 ng/dL, about 5 ng/dL to about 100 ng/dL, about 5 ng/dL
to about 75 ng/dL, about 10 ng/dL to about 200 ng/dL, about 10
ng/dL to about 150 ng/dL, about 10 ng/dL to about 100 ng/dL, about
10 ng/dL to about 75 ng/dL, about 15 ng/dL to about 200 ng/dL,
about 15 ng/dL to about 150 ng/dL, about 15 ng/dL to about 100
ng/dL, or about 15 ng/dL to about 75 ng/dL 1 hour after a single
oral administration. In certain embodiments, provided herein is a
pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage form formulated such that
it provides a mean plasma concentration of testosterone that is
about 500 ng/dL or less, about 400 ng/dL or less, about 300 ng/dL
or less, about 200 ng/dL or less, about 150 ng/dL or less, about 5
ng/dL to about 500 ng/dL, about 5 ng/dL to about 400 ng/dL, about 5
ng/dL to about 300 ng/dL, about 5 ng/dL to about 200 ng/dL, about 5
ng/dL to about 150 ng/dL, about 10 ng/dL to about 500 ng/dL, about
10 ng/dL to about 400 ng/dL, about 10 ng/dL to about 300 ng/dL,
about 10 ng/dL to about 200 ng/dL, about 10 ng/dL to about 150
ng/dL, about 15 ng/dL to about 500 ng/dL, about 15 ng/dL to about
400 ng/dL, about 15 ng/dL to about 300 ng/dL, about 15 ng/dL to
about 200 ng/dL, about 15 ng/dL to about 150 ng/dL 2 hour after a
single oral administration. In some embodiments, provided herein is
a pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage form formulated such
that it provides a mean plasma concentration of testosterone that
is about 5 ng/dL to about 150 ng/dL 1 hour after a single oral
administration, and about 10 ng/dL to about 500 ng/dL 2 hours after
a single oral administration.
[0061] In certain embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions
described herein comprise or are formulated into one or more oral
dosage form described herein. Therefore, in some embodiments, in
order to arrive at the targeted plasma concentration (e.g., at a
specific concentration at a given time, C.sub.max, C.sub.min, or
the like), a plurality of oral dosage forms described herein are
optionally administered. Furthermore, as used herein, a mean plasma
concentration (e.g., at a specific concentration at a given time,
C.sub.max, C.sub.min, or the like) is the mean of a plurality of
concentration values obtained from the plasma of a plurality of
individuals following oral administration of an oral dosage form
described herein to the plurality of individuals. In some
embodiments, the individuals are adult humans. In specific
embodiments, the adult humans are adult male humans. In certain
embodiments, the individuals are adult hypogonadal or otherwise
androdeficient adult male humans. In some embodiments, the
individuals are postmenopausal or otherwise androdeficient adult
female humans. Furthermore, it is noted that concentrations of
testosterone alkyl ester described herein include the concentration
of the one or more testosterone alkyl ester administered.
[0062] In some embodiments, provided herein is a pharmaceutical
composition or oral dosage form that releases or is formulated to
release about 90% or less, about 80% or less, about 70% or less,
about 60% or less, about 55% or less, about 50% or less, about 45%
or less, about 40% or less, about 35% or less, about 5% to about
90%, about 5% to about 80%, about 5% to about 70%, about 5% to
about 60%, about 5% to about 55%, about 5% to about 50%, about 5%
to about 45%, about 5% to about 40%, about 5% to about 35%, about
20% to about 90%, about 20% to about 80%, about 20% to about 70%,
about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 55%, about 20% to about
50%, about 20% to about 45%, about 20% to about 40%, or about 20%
to about 35% of the testosterone alkyl ester (e.g., testosterone
undecanoate) after 1 hour in an aqueous medium (e.g., in 1 L
deionized water comprising 8% w/v Triton X-100). In certain
embodiments, provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition or
oral dosage form that releases or is formulated to release about
90% or less, about 80% or less, about 70% or less, about 60% or
less, about 50% or less, about 40% or less, about 30% or less,
about 20% or less, about 2% to about 90%, about 2% to about 80%,
about 2% to about 70%, about 2% to about 60%, about 2% to about
50%, about 2% to about 40%, about 2% to about 30%, about 2% to
about 20%, about 10% to about 90%, about 10% to about 80%, about
10% to about 70%, about 10% to about 60%, about 10% to about 50%,
about 10% to about 40%, about 10% to about 30%, or about 10% to
about 20% of the testosterone alkyl ester (e.g., testosterone
undecanoate) after 30 minutes in an aqueous medium (e e.g., in 1 L
deionized water comprising 8% w/v Triton X-100). In some
embodiments, provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition or
oral dosage form that releases or is formulated to release about
99% or less, about 98% or less, about 97% or less, about 96% or
less, about 95% or less, about 90% or less, about 10% to about 99%,
about 10% to about 98%, about 10% to about 97%, about 10% to about
96%, about 10% to about 95%, about 10% to about 90%, about 40% to
about 99%, about 40% to about 98%, about 40% to about 97%, about
40% to about 96%, about 40% to about 95%, about 40% to about 90%,
about 70% to about 99%, about 70% to about 98%, about 70% to about
97%, about 70% to about 96%, about 70% to about 95%, or about 70%
to about 90% of the testosterone alkyl ester (e.g., testosterone
undecanoate) after 3 hour in an aqueous medium (e.g., in 1 L
deionized water comprising 8% w/v Triton X-100). In some
embodiments, provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition or
oral dosage form that releases or is formulated to release more
than 80% of the testosterone alkyl ester (e.g., testosterone
undecanoate) within 12, 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, or 2 hours in an aqueous
medium (e.g., in 1 L deionized water comprising 8% w/v Triton
X-100). In specific embodiments, provided herein is a
pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage form that releases or is
formulated to release about 20% or less of the testosterone alkyl
ester after 30 minutes, 50% or less of the testosterone alkyl ester
(e.g., testosterone undecanoate) after 1 hour and about 95% or less
of the testosterone alkyl ester after 3 hours in an aqueous medium
(e.g., in 1 L deionized water comprising 8% w/v Triton X-100). In
some embodiments, provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition
or oral dosage form that releases or is formulated to release about
5% to about 60% of the testosterone alkyl ester (e.g., testosterone
undecanoate) after 1 hour, about 2% to about 40% of the
testosterone alkyl ester after 30 minutes, and about 10% to about
95% of the testosterone alkyl ester after 2 hours in an aqueous
medium (e.g., in 1 L deionized water comprising 8% w/v Triton
X-100). In certain specific embodiments, provided herein is a
pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage form that releases or is
formulated to release about 50% or less of the testosterone alkyl
ester (e.g., testosterone undecanoate) after 1 hour, and 80% or
less of the testosterone alkyl ester (e.g., testosterone
undecanoate) within 2-12 hours (or after 12 hours, 10 hours, 8
hours, 6 hours, 5 hours, 4 hours, 3 hours, or 2 hours) in an
aqueous medium (e.g., in 1 L deionized water comprising 8% w/v
Triton X-100). In certain instances, the aqueous medium is 1 L
deionized water comprising 8% w/v Triton X-100 (e.g., octylphenol
ethylene oxide condensate; octoxynol-9;
t-octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol;
t-oct-C.sub.6H.sub.4--(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.xOH, x=9-10; CAS No.
9002-93-1; Triton X-100 was a registered trademark formerly owned
by Rohm and Haas Co., but now owned by Union Carbide) at
37.+-.0.5.degree. C. and the pharmaceutical composition or oral
dosage form is deposited therein and subjected to a paddle method
at 100 rpm and 37.+-.0.5.degree. C. for the designated period of
time (USP App 2).
[0063] In some embodiments, provided herein is a pharmaceutical
composition or oral dosage form that provides or is formulated to
provide a testosterone (e.g., in human males, adult human males,
pubescent human males, or the like) mean plasma. C.sub.max at
steady state of about 1550 ng/dL or less, about 1500 ng/dL or less,
about 1450 ng/dL or less, about 1400 ng/dL or less, about 1310
ng/dL or less, about 1300 ng/dL or less. In some embodiments,
provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage form
that provides or is formulated to provide a testosterone (e.g., in
human males, adult human males, pubescent human males, or the like)
mean plasma. C.sub.min at steady state of about 100 ng/dL or more,
about 150 ng/dL or more, about 200 ng/dL or more, about 250 ng/dL
or more, or about 300 ng/dL or more. In specific embodiments,
provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage form
that provides or is formulated to provide a testosterone (e.g., in
human males, adult human males, pubescent human males, or the like)
mean plasma C.sub.min at steady state of about 200 ng/dL or more.
In certain embodiments, provided herein is a pharmaceutical
composition or oral dosage form that provides or is formulated to
provide a testosterone (e.g., in human males, adult human males,
pubescent human males, or the like) mean plasma concentration that
ranges at steady state from about 100 ng/dL to about 1500 ng/dL,
about 150 ng/dL to about 1400 ng/dL, about 200 ng/dL to about 1300
ng/dL or about 250 ng/dL to about 1200 ng/dL. In specific
embodiments, provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition or
oral dosage form that provides or is formulated to provide a
testosterone (e.g., in human males, adult human males, pubescent
human males, or the like) mean plasma concentration that ranges at
steady state from about 200 ng/dL to about 1300 ng/dL.
[0064] In some embodiments, provided herein is a pharmaceutical
composition or oral dosage form that provides or is formulated to
provide a testosterone (e.g., in human females, adult human
females, post menopausal human females, or the like) mean plasma
C.sub.max at steady state of about 110 ng/dL or less, 100 ng/dL or
less, about 95 ng/dL or less, about 90 ng/dL or less, about 85
ng/dL or less, or about 82 ng/dL or less. In some embodiments,
provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage form
that provides or is formulated to provide a testosterone (e.g., in
human females, adult human females, post menopausal human females,
or the like) mean plasma C.sub.min at steady state of about 3 ng/dL
or more, about 5 ng/dL or more, about 8 ng/dL or more, about 10
ng/dL or more, or about 12 ng/dL or more. In specific embodiments,
provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage form
that provides or is formulated to provide a testosterone (e.g., in
human females, adult human females, post menopausal human females,
or the like) mean plasma C.sub.min at steady state of about 8 ng/dL
or more. In certain embodiments, provided herein is a
pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage form that provides or is
formulated to provide a testosterone (e.g., in human males, adult
human females, pubescent human females, postmenopausal human
females, or the like) mean plasma concentration that ranges at
steady state from about 5 ng/dL to about 110 ng/dL, about 8 ng/dL
to about 100 ng/dL, about 10 ng/dL to about 90 ng/dL or about 12
ng/dL to about 82 ng/dL. In specific embodiments, provided herein
is a pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage form that provides
or is formulated to provide a testosterone (e.g., in human females,
adult human females, post menopausal human females, or the like)
mean plasma concentration that ranges at steady state from about 10
ng/dL to about 90 ng/dL.
[0065] Provided in certain embodiments herein is a pharmaceutical
composition or oral dosage form that provides or is formulated to
provide upon oral administration to an individual (e.g., an
androgen deficient human male) a testosterone equivalent (e.g.,
mass of testosterone that can be derived from a testosterone alkyl
ester (e.g., C.sub.2-C.sub.13)) dose to mean steady state
testosterone C.sub.max ratio of about 500.times.10.sup.6 mL or
less. In some embodiments, a testosterone equivalent dose to mean
steady state testosterone C.sub.max ratio is about
500.times.10.sup.6 mL, or less; about 4.times.10.sup.5 mL, or more;
about 6.times.10.sup.5 mL, or more; about 8.times.10.sup.5 mL, or
more; about 1.times.10.sup.6 mL, or more; about 3.times.10.sup.6
mL, or more; about 4.times.10.sup.6 mL, or more; about
5.times.10.sup.6 mL, or more; about 6.times.10.sup.6 mL, or more;
500.times.10.sup.6 mL, or less; 400.times.10.sup.6 mL, or less;
300.times.10.sup.6 mL, or less; 250.times.10.sup.6 mL, or less;
200.times.10.sup.6 mL, or less; 150.times.10.sup.6 mL, or less;
100.times.10.sup.6 mL, or less; about 25.times.10.sup.5 mL, or
more; about 100.times.10.sup.5 mL, or more; about
250.times.10.sup.5 mL, or more; about 500.times.10.sup.5 mL, or
more; about 4.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 500.times.10.sup.6 mL;
about 4.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 400.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
4.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 300.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
4.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 250.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
4.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 200.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
4.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 150.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
20.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 500.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
20.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 400.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
20.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 300.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
20.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 250.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
20.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 200.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
20.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 150.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
50.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 500.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
50.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 400.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
50.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 300.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
50.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 250.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
50.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 200.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
50.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 150.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
200.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 500.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
200.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 400.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
200.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 300.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
200.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 250.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
200.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 200.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
200.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 150.times.10.sup.6 mL; or the like.
In some embodiments, a single dose of any oral dosage form or
pharmaceutical composition described herein provides, upon oral
administration to an individual (e.g., an androgen deficient human
male), a ratio testosterone equivalent dose to mean plasma
testosterone C.sub.max that is about 500.times.10.sup.6 mL or less.
In some embodiments, a single administration provides a
testosterone equivalent dose to mean testosterone C.sub.max ratio
that is about 500.times.10.sup.6 mL, or less; about
4.times.10.sup.5 mL, or more; 500.times.10.sup.6 mL, or less;
400.times.10.sup.6 mL, or less; 300.times.10.sup.6 mL, or less;
250.times.10.sup.6 mL, or less; 200.times.10.sup.6 mL, or less;
150.times.10.sup.6 mL, or less; 100.times.10.sup.6 mL, or less;
about 25.times.10.sup.5 mL, or more; about 100.times.10.sup.5 mL,
or more; about 250.times.10.sup.5 mL, or more; about
500.times.10.sup.5 mL, or more; about 4.times.10.sup.5 mL to about
500.times.10.sup.6 mL; about 4.times.10.sup.5 mL to about
400.times.10.sup.6 mL; about 4.times.10.sup.5 mL to about
300.times.10.sup.6 mL; about 4.times.10.sup.5 mL to about
250.times.10.sup.6 mL; about 4.times.10.sup.5 mL to about
200.times.10.sup.6 mL; about 4.times.10.sup.5 mL to about
150.times.10.sup.6 mL; about 20.times.10.sup.5 mL to about
500.times.10.sup.6 mL; about 20.times.10.sup.5 mL to about
400.times.10.sup.6 mL; about 20.times.10.sup.5 mL to about
300.times.10.sup.6 mL; about 20.times.10.sup.5 mL to about
250.times.10.sup.6 mL; about 20.times.10.sup.5 mL to about
200.times.10.sup.6 mL; about 20.times.10.sup.5 mL to about
150.times.10.sup.6 mL; about 50.times.10.sup.5 mL to about
500.times.10.sup.6 mL; about 50.times.10.sup.5 mL to about
400.times.10.sup.6 mL; about 50.times.10.sup.5 mL to about
300.times.10.sup.6 mL; about 50.times.10.sup.5 mL to about
250.times.10.sup.6 mL; about 50.times.10.sup.5 mL to about
200.times.10.sup.6 mL; about 50.times.10.sup.5 mL to about
150.times.10.sup.6 mL; about 200.times.10.sup.5 mL to about
500.times.10.sup.6 mL; about 200.times.10.sup.5 mL to about
400.times.10.sup.6 mL; about 200.times.10.sup.5 mL to about
300.times.10.sup.6 mL; about 200.times.10.sup.5 mL to about
250.times.10.sup.6 mL; about 200.times.10.sup.5 mL to about
200.times.10.sup.6 mL; about 200.times.10.sup.5 mL to about
150.times.10.sup.6 mL; or the like. In some embodiments, a single
administration provides a testosterone equivalent dose to mean
dihydroxytestosterone C.sub.max ratio that is about
350.times.10.sup.6 mL, or less; about 20.times.10.sup.5 mL, or
more; 500.times.10.sup.6 mL, or less; 400.times.10.sup.6 mL, or
less; 300.times.10.sup.6 mL, or less; 250.times.10.sup.6 mL, or
less; 200.times.10.sup.6 mL, or less; 150.times.10.sup.6 mL, or
less; 100.times.10.sup.6 mL, or less; about 25.times.10.sup.5 mL,
or more; about 100.times.10.sup.5 mL, or more; about
250.times.10.sup.5 mL, or more; about 500.times.10.sup.5 mL, or
more; about 20.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 500.times.10.sup.6 mL;
about 20.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 400.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
20.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 300.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
20.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 250.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
20.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 200.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
20.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 150.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
50.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 500.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
50.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 400.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
50.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 300.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
50.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 250.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
50.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 200.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
50.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 150.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
200.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 500.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
200.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 400.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
200.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 300.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
200.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 250.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
200.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 200.times.10.sup.6 mL; about
200.times.10.sup.5 mL to about 150.times.10.sup.6 mL; or the like.
In certain instances, a steroid equivalent dose (e.g., testosterone
equivalent dose) of a composition or dosage form described herein
is the amount of steroid compound (e.g., testosterone) present
(e.g., the steroidal portion of a steroidal compound, such as a
testosterone alkyl ester) in the composition or dosage form and can
be determined by calculating, e.g., (mass testosterone/mass
testosterone alkyl ester)*amount of testosterone alkyl ester in the
composition or dosage form.
[0066] Provided in certain embodiments herein is a pharmaceutical
composition or oral dosage form that provides or is formulated to
provide a difference between the mean plasma C.sub.max of
testosterone at steady state and mean plasma C.sub.min of
testosterone at steady state that is about 20 ng/mL or less, about
19 ng/mL or less, about 18 ng/mL or less, about 17 ng/mL or less,
about 16 ng/mL or less, about 15 ng/mL or less, about 14 ng/mL or
less, about 13 ng/mL or less, about 12 ng/mL or less, about 11
ng/mL or less, about 10.8 ng/mL or less, about 2 to about 20 ng/mL,
about 2 to about 18 ng/mL, about 2 to about 16 ng/mL, about 2 to
about 15 ng/mL, about 2 to about 14 ng/mL, about 2 to about 13
ng/mL, about 2 to about 12 ng/mL, about 2 to about 11 ng/mL, about
5 to about 15 ng/mL, about 5 to about 14 ng/mL, about 5 to about 13
ng/mL, about 5 to about 12 ng/mL, or about 5 to about 11 ng/mL. In
specific embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage
form provides or is formulated to provide a difference between the
mean plasma C.sub.max of testosterone at steady state and mean
plasma C.sub.min of testosterone at steady state that is about 11
ng/mL or less. Furthermore, in some embodiments, provided herein is
a pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage form provided herein
provides or is formulated to provide a difference between the mean
plasma. C.sub.max and the mean C.sub.min of testosterone alkyl
ester (e.g., testosterone undecanoate) is about 275 ng/mL or less,
about 260 ng/mL or less, about 250 ng/mL or less, about 240 ng/mL
or less, about 230 ng/mL or less, about 225 ng/mL or less, about
220 ng/mL or less, about 210 ng/mL or less, about 200 ng/mL or
less, about 190 ng/mL or less, or about 180 ng/mL or less. In
specific embodiments, provided herein is a pharmaceutical
composition or oral dosage form provided herein provides or is
formulated to provide a difference between the mean plasma
C.sub.max and mean plasma C.sub.min of testosterone alkyl ester
(e.g., testosterone undecanoate) is about 200 ng/mL or less. In
specific embodiments, provided herein is a pharmaceutical
composition or oral dosage form provided herein provides or is
formulated to provide a difference between the mean plasma
C.sub.max and mean plasma C.sub.min of testosterone alkyl ester
(e.g., testosterone undecanoate) is about 275 ng/mL or less.
[0067] In some embodiments, provided herein is a pharmaceutical
composition or oral dosage form that is formulated such that it
provides, following a single oral administration, a mean plasma.
AUC.sub.0-.infin. concentration of testosterone of about 120 ngh/mL
or less, about 110 ngh/mL or less, about 100 ngh/mL or less, about
90 ngh/mL or less, about 80 ngh/mL or less, about 70 ngh/mL or
less, about 60 ngh/mL or less, about 20 ngh/mL to about 110 ngh/mL,
about 20 ngh/mL to about 100 ngh/mL, about 20 ngh/mL to about 90
ngh/mL, about 20 ngh/mL to about 80 ngh/mL, about 20 ngh/mL to
about 70 ngh/mL, about 20 ngh/mL to about 60 ngh/mL, about 30
ngh/mL to about 110 ngh/mL, about 30 ngh/mL to about 100 ngh/mL,
about 30 ngh/mL to about 90 ngh/mL, about 30 ngh/mL to about 80
ngh/mL, about 30 ngh/mL to about 70 ngh/mL, about 30 ngh/mL to
about 60 ngh/mL, about 40 ngh/mL to about 110 ngh/mL, about 40
ngh/mL to about 100 ngh/mL, about 40 ngh/mL to about 90 ngh/mL,
about 40 ngh/mL to about 80 ngh/mL, about 40 ngh/mL to about 70
ngh/mL, about 40 ngh/mL to about 60 ngh/mL, about 50 ngh/mL to
about 110 ngh/mL, about 50 ngh/mL to about 100 ngh/mL, about 50
ngh/mL to about 90 ngh/mL, about 50 ngh/mL to about 80 ngh/mL,
about 50 ngh/mL to about 70 ngh/mL, about 60 ngh/mL to about 110
ngh/mL, about 60 ngh/mL to about 100 ngh/mL, about 60 ngh/mL to
about 90 ngh/mL, or about 60 ngh/mL to about 80 ngh/mL. In certain
embodiments, provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition or
oral dosage form that is formulated such that, following a single
oral administration, it provides a mean plasma AUC.sub.0-.infin.
concentration of dihydrotestosterone of about 50 ngh/mL or less,
about 45 ngh/mL or less, about 40 ngh/mL or less, about 35 ngh/mL
or less, about 30 ngh/mL or less, about 25 ngh/mL or less, about 20
ngh/mL or less, about 10 ngh/mL to about 50 ngh/mL, about 10 ngh/mL
to about 45 ngh/mL, about 10 ngh/mL to about 40 ngh/mL, about 10
ngh/mL to about 35 ngh/mL, about 10 ngh/mL to about 30 ngh/mL,
about 10 ngh/mL to about 25 ngh/mL, about 10 ngh/mL to about 20
ngh/mL, about 15 ngh/mL to about 50 ngh/mL, about 15 ngh/mL to
about 45 ngh/mL, about 15 ngh/mL to about 40 ngh/mL, about 15
ngh/mL to about 35 ngh/mL, about 15 ngh/mL to about 30 ngh/mL,
about 15 ngh/mL to about 25 ngh/mL, about 20 ngh/mL to about 50
ngh/mL, about 20 ngh/mL to about 45 ngh/mL, about 20 ngh/mL to
about 40 ngh/mL, about 20 ngh/mL to about 35 ngh/mL, or about 20
ngh/mL to about 30 ngh/mL. In some embodiments, provided herein is
a pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage form that is formulated
such that, following a single oral administration, it provides a
mean plasma. AUC.sub.0-.infin. concentration of testosterone alkyl
ester (e.g., the one or more testosterone alkyl ester compounds,
such as testosterone undecanoate, found in the composition or
dosage form) of about 1200 ngh/mL or less, about 1100 ngh/mL or
less, about 1000 ngh/mL or less, about 900 ngh/mL or less, about
850 ngh/mL or less, about 800 ngh/mL or less, about 750 ngh/mL or
less, about 100 ngh/mL to about 1200 ngh/mL, about 100 ngh/mL to
about 1100 ngh/mL, about 100 ngh/mL to about 1000 ngh/mL, about 100
ngh/mL to about 900 ngh/mL, about 100 ngh/mL to about 850 ngh/mL,
about 100 ngh/mL to about 800 ngh/mL, about 100 ngh/mL to about 750
ngh/mL, about 150 ngh/mL to about 1200 ngh/mL, about 150 ngh/mL to
about 1100 ngh/mL, about 150 ngh/mL to about 1000 ngh/mL, about 150
ngh/mL to about 900 ngh/mL, about 150 ngh/mL to about 850 ngh/mL,
about 150 ngh/mL to about 800 ngh/mL, about 150 ngh/mL to about 750
ngh/mL, about 200 ngh/mL to about 1200 ngh/mL, about 200 ngh/mL to
about 1100 ngh/mL, about 200 ngh/mL to about 1000 ngh/mL, about 200
ngh/mL to about 900 ngh/mL, about 200 ngh/mL to about 850 ngh/mL,
about 200 ngh/mL to about 800 ngh/mL, about 200 ngh/mL to about 750
ngh/mL, about 250 ngh/mL to about 1200 ngh/mL, about 250 ngh/mL to
about 1100 ngh/mL, about 250 ngh/mL to about 1000 ngh/mL, about 250
ngh/mL to about 900 ngh/mL, about 250 ngh/mL to about 850 ngh/mL,
about 250 ngh/mL to about 800 ngh/mL, about 250 ngh/mL to about 750
ngh/mL, about 300 ngh/mL to about 1200 ngh/mL, about 300 ngh/mL to
about 1100 ngh/mL, about 300 ngh/mL to about 1000 ngh/mL, about 300
ngh/mL to about 900 ngh/mL, about 300 ngh/mL to about 850 ngh/mL,
about 300 ngh/mL to about 800 ngh/mL, or about 300 ngh/mL to about
750 ngh/mL.
[0068] Provided in certain embodiments herein is any oral dosage
form or pharmaceutical composition described herein that when a
single dose is administered to an individual provides a
testosterone equivalent dose to mean testosterone AUC.sub.0-.infin.
ratio of about 500.times.10.sup.3 mL/h or less. In some
embodiments, the testosterone equivalent dose to mean
AUC.sub.0-.infin. ratio is about 20.times.10.sup.3 mL/h, or more;
about 30.times.10.sup.3 mL/h, or more; about 40.times.10.sup.3
mL/h, or more; about 50.times.10.sup.3 mL/h, or more; about
60.times.10.sup.3 mL/h, or more; about 80.times.10.sup.3 mL/h, or
more; about 100.times.10.sup.3 mL/h, or more; about
600.times.10.sup.3 mL/h, or less; about 400.times.10.sup.3 mL/h, or
less; about 350.times.10.sup.3 mL/h, or less; about
250.times.10.sup.3 mL/h, or less; about 200.times.10.sup.3 mL/h, or
less; about 150.times.10.sup.3 mL/h, or less; about 10 to about
600.times.10.sup.3 mL/h; about 20 to about 500.times.10.sup.3 mL/h;
about 30 to about 450.times.10.sup.3 mL/h; about 20 to about
400.times.10.sup.3 mL/h; about 50 to about 300.times.10.sup.3 mL/h;
about 50 to about 200.times.10.sup.3 mL/h; or the like.
[0069] In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition or oral
dosage form described herein achieves steady state upon
administration in any manner suitable to achieve the steady state,
e.g., once a day, twice a day, three times a day, four times a day,
or the like. In specific embodiments, steady state is achieved
after a period of time of b.i.d. oral administration (e.g., every
12 hours) of an oral dosage form described herein. In certain
embodiments, steady state is obtained after, e.g., 2 days, 3 days,
4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, 2 weeks or longer, if or as
necessary. In specific embodiments, steady state is obtained after
b.i.d. oral administration for 5-7 days. Moreover, steady state
plasma concentrations of testosterone, testosterone alkyl ester
(e.g., testosterone undecanoate), and dihydrotestosterone are
obtained, in certain instances, by administration of pharmaceutical
compositions comprising about 1 mg to about 1 g, or about 10 mg to
about 200 mg of a steroidal compound (e.g., a testosterone alkyl
ester, such as testosterone undecanoate). In specific embodiments,
a pharmaceutical composition (e.g., for administration to a human
male) comprises about 10 mg to about 50 mg, about 15 mg to about 40
mg, about 20 mg, to about 30 mg, or about 25 mg of steroidal
compound (e.g., a testosterone alkyl ester, such as testosterone
undecanoate). In other embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition
(e.g., for administration to a human male) comprises about 70 mg to
about 150 mg, about 80 mg to about 140 mg, about 90 mg to about 140
mg, about 100 mg to about 130 mg, about 110 mg to about 130 mg,
about 80 mg, or about 120 mg of a steroidal compound (e.g., a
testosterone alkyl ester, such as testosterone undecanoate). In
some embodiments, steady state of a testosterone, testosterone
alkyl ester (e.g., testosterone undecanoate), and
dihydrotestosterone are obtained by the administration of about 0.1
mg to about 5 mg of a steroidal compound (e.g., a testosterone
alkyl ester, such as testosterone undecanoate) per kg of an
individual to whom the oral dosage form is to be administered. In
certain embodiments, testosterone, testosterone alkyl ester (e.g.,
testosterone undecanoate), and dihydrotestosterone are obtained by
the oral administration of about 1 mg to about 1 g, about 5 mg to
about 500 mg, about 10 mg to about 300 mg, or about 20 to about 250
mg of a steroidal compound (e.g., a testosterone alkyl ester, such
as testosterone undecanoate) to an individual upon once a day,
twice a day, three times a day, or four times a day. In certain
embodiments, the pharmacokinetic and/or pharmacodynamic profiles
described herein are obtained as a function of dose of steroidal
compound and/or formulation of the pharmaceutical composition. In
certain embodiments, an oral dosage form for administration to an
human female comprises about 10% as much of a testosterone alkyl
ester as does an oral dosage form for administration to an human
male. In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition for
delivery to an adult human female comprises about 5 mg to about 50
mg, about 5 mg to about 30 mg, about 7 mg to about 15 mg, about 8
mg to about 14 mg, about 9 mg to about 14 mg, about 10 mg to about
13 mg, about 11 mg to about 13 mg, about 8 mg, or about 12 mg of a
testosterone alkyl ester, such as testosterone undecanoate.
[0070] Provided in certain embodiments herein is a pharmaceutical
composition or oral dosage form that provides or is formulated to
provide a delayed release dosage form. In specific embodiments, any
delayed release oral dosage form described herein comprises one or
more steroidal compound (e.g., one or more testosterone alkyl
ester, such as testosterone undecanoate). In certain embodiments, a
delayed release dosage form is one that releases about 90% or less,
about 80% or less, about 70% or less, about 60% or less, about 55%
or less, about 50% or less, about 45% or less, about 40% or less,
about 35% or less, about 5% to about 90%, about 5% to about 80%,
about 5% to about 70%, about 5% to about 60%, about 5% to about
55%, about 5% to about 50%, about 5% to about 45%, about 5% to
about 40%, about 5% to about 35%, about 20% to about 90%, about 20%
to about 80%, about 20% to about 70%, about 20% to about 60%, about
20% to about 55%, about 20% to about 50%, about 20% to about 45%,
about 20% to about 40%, or about 20% to about 35% of the steroidal
compound (e.g., a testosterone alkyl ester, such as testosterone
undecanoate) after 1 hour in an aqueous medium; releases about 90%
or less, about 80% or less, about 70% or less, about 60% or less,
about 50% or less, about 40% or less, about 30% or less, about 20%
or less, about 2% to about 90%, about 2% to about 80%, about 2% to
about 70%, about 2% to about 60%, about 2% to about 50%, about 2%
to about 40%, about 2% to about 30%, about 2% to about 20%, about
10% to about 90%, about 10% to about 80%, about 10% to about 70%,
about 10% to about 60%, about 10% to about 50%, about 10% to about
40%, about 10% to about 30%, or about 10% to about 20% of the
steroidal compound (e.g., a testosterone alkyl ester, such as
testosterone undecanoate) after 30 minutes in an aqueous medium;
releases about 99% or less, about 98% or less, about 97% or less,
about 96% or less, about 95% or less, about 90% or less, about 10%
to about 99%, about 10% to about 98%, about 10% to about 97%, about
10% to about 96%, about 10% to about 95%, about 10% to about 90%,
about 40% to about 99%, about 40% to about 98%, about 40% to about
97%, about 40% to about 96%, about 40% to about 95%, about 40% to
about 90%, about 70% to about 99%, about 70% to about 98%, about
70% to about 97%, about 70% to about 96%, about 70% to about 95%,
or about 70% to about 90% of the steroidal compound (e.g., a
testosterone alkyl ester, such as testosterone undecanoate) after 3
hour in an aqueous medium; and/or releases more than 80% of the
steroidal compound (e.g., a testosterone alkyl ester, such as
testosterone undecanoate) contained therein within 12, 10, 8, 6, 5,
4, 3, or 2 hours in an aqueous medium. Conversely, in some
embodiments an immediate release dosage form (e.g., a fast release
dosage form) comprising a steroidal compound (e.g., a testosterone
alkyl ester, such as testosterone undecanoate) releases about 90%
or more of the steroidal compound (e.g., a testosterone alkyl
ester, such as testosterone undecanoate) contained therein within
about 15 minutes of exposure to an aqueous medium. In some
instances, the aqueous medium is present in a USP Type-II (paddle)
apparatus with conditions at 37.+-.0.5.degree. C. and at 100 rpm.
In more specific instances, the aqueous medium is about 1 L of DI
water having 8% w/v of Triton X-100. Furthermore, in some
embodiments, an immediate release dosage form of steroidal compound
(e.g., a testosterone alkyl ester, such as testosterone
undecanoate) is an oral dosage form (e.g., capsule) comprising the
steroidal compound (e.g., a testosterone alkyl ester, such as
testosterone undecanoate) formulated in a mixture of castor oil and
propylene glycol laurate (e.g., a composition comprising
testosterone undecanoate, castor oil and propylene glycol laurate,
as currently marketed under the tradename Andriol.RTM.); or the
steroidal compound (e.g., a testosterone alkyl ester, such as
testosterone undecanoate) formulated in oleic acid (e.g., a
composition comprising testosterone undecanoate and oleic acid, as
previously marketed under the tradename Andriol.RTM.).
[0071] Furthermore, provided herein is a delayed release oral
dosage form formulated such that it provides, following a single
oral administration, a mean plasma concentration of testosterone
that is at least 50% lower, at least 40% lower, at least 30% lower,
at least 20% lower, at least 10% lower, at least 5% lower, about
50-95% lower, about 40-95% lower, about 30-95% lower, about 20-95%
lower, about 50-90% lower, about 40-80% lower, about 30-80% lower,
about 20-80% lower, about 40-60% lower, or about 10-95% lower
measured after about 1 hour than is provided by a single dose of an
immediate release oral dosage form having the same amount of
steroidal compound (e.g., a testosterone alkyl ester, such as
testosterone undecanoate). In specific embodiments, provided herein
is a delayed release oral dosage form formulated such that it
provides, following a single oral administration, a mean plasma
concentration of testosterone that is at least 20% lower measured
after about 1 hour than is provided by a single dose of an
immediate release oral dosage form. In some embodiments, provided
herein is a delayed release oral dosage form formulated such that
it provides, following a single oral administration, a mean plasma
concentration of testosterone that is at least 50% lower, at least
40% lower, at least 30% lower, at least 20% lower, at least 10%
lower, about 50-95% lower, about 40-95% lower, about 30-95% lower,
about 20-95% lower, about 40-60% lower, about 20-80% lower, about
10-60% lower, or about 10-95% lower measured after about 2 hours
than is provided by a single dose of an immediate release oral
dosage form. In specific embodiments, provided herein is a delayed
release oral dosage form formulated such that it provides,
following a single oral administration, a mean plasma concentration
of testosterone that is at least 20% lower measured after about 2
hours than is provided by a single dose of an immediate release
oral dosage form. In certain embodiments, provided herein is a
delayed release oral dosage form formulated such that it provides,
following a single oral administration, a mean plasma concentration
of testosterone that is at least 50% lower, at least 40% lower, at
least 30% lower, at least 20% lower, at least 10% lower, about
50-95% lower, about 40-95% lower, about 30-95% lower, about 20-95%
lower, about 50-80% lower, about 40-80% lower, about 30-60% lower,
about 20-50% lower, about 10-50% lower, or about 10-95% lower
measured after about 3 hours than is provided by a single dose of
an immediate release oral dosage form. In specific embodiments,
provided herein is a delayed release oral dosage form formulated
such that it provides, following a single oral administration, a
mean plasma concentration of testosterone that is at least 20%
lower measured after about 3 hours than is provided by a single
dose of an immediate release oral dosage form.
[0072] Provided in some embodiments herein is a delayed release
oral dosage form formulated such that it provides, following a
single oral administration, a mean plasma C.sub.max of testosterone
that is at least 25% lower, at least 20% lower, at least 15% lower,
at least 10% lower, at least 5% lower, about 25-95% lower, about
20-99% lower, about 15-99% lower, about 10-99% lower, about 25-50%
lower, about 20-60% lower, about 15-40% lower, about 10-60% lower,
about 5-30% lower, or about 5-99% lower than the mean plasma
C.sub.max of testosterone that is provided by a single dose of an
immediate release oral dosage form having an identical amount of
the steroidal compound (e.g., a testosterone alkyl ester, such as
testosterone undecanoate) as is present in the delayed release oral
dosage form. In certain embodiments, provided herein is a delayed
release oral dosage form that provides or is formulated to provide,
following a single oral administration, a mean plasma C.sub.max of
the testosterone alkyl ester (e.g., testosterone undecanoate) that
is at least 25% lower, at least 20% lower, at least 15% lower, at
least 10% lower, at least 5% lower, about 25-95% lower, about
20-99% lower, about 15-99% lower, about 10-99% lower, about 5-99%
lower, about 25-90% lower, about 20-80% lower, about 15-60% lower,
about 10-60% lower, or about 5-40% lower than the mean plasma
C.sub.max of testosterone alkyl ester that is provided by a single
dose of an immediate release oral dosage form having an identical
amount of the steroidal compound (e.g., a testosterone alkyl ester,
such as testosterone undecanoate) as is present in the delayed
release oral dosage form. In some embodiments, provided herein is a
delayed release oral dosage form that provides or is formulated to
provide, following oral administration, a mean plasma C.sub.max of
dihydrotestosterone that is at least 10% lower, at least 8% lower,
at least 7% lower, at least 6% lower, at least 5% lower, about
10-95% lower, about 8-99% lower, about 7-99% lower, about 6-99%
lower, about 5-99% lower, about 5-15% lower, about 10-90% lower,
about 8-80% lower, about 7-60% lower, about 10-60% lower, or about
5-40% lower than the mean plasma. C.sub.max of dihydrotestosterone
provided by a single dose of an immediate release oral dosage form
having an identical amount of the steroidal compound (e.g., a
testosterone alkyl ester, such as testosterone undecanoate) as is
present in the delayed release oral dosage form.
[0073] Provided in certain embodiments herein is a delayed release
oral dosage form that provides or is formulated to provide a mean
plasma C.sub.max at steady state of testosterone alkyl ester that
is at least 20% lower, at least 15% lower, at least 10% lower, at
least 5% lower, about 20-95% lower, about 15-99% lower, about
10-99% lower, about 20-99% lower, about 15-99% lower, about 10-99%
lower, about 5-99% lower, about 20-90% lower, about 20-80% lower,
about 15-60% lower, about 10-60% lower, or about 5-40% lower than
the mean plasma C.sub.max of steroidal compound (e.g., a
testosterone alkyl ester, such as testosterone undecanoate) at
steady state provided by an immediate release oral dosage form
having an identical amount of the testosterone alkyl ester as is
present in the delayed release oral dosage form. In some
embodiments, a delayed oral dosage form comprising testosterone
alkyl ester provided herein provides or is formulated to provide a
mean plasma. C.sub.max at steady state of testosterone that is at
least 20% lower, at least 15% lower, at least 10% lower, at least
5% lower, about 20-95% lower, about 15-99% lower, about 10-99%
lower, about 20-99% lower, about 15-99% lower, about 10-99% lower,
about 10-30% lower, about 20-90% lower, about 20-80% lower, about
15-60% lower, about 10-60% lower, or about 10-40% lower than the
mean plasma. C.sub.max of testosterone at steady state provided by
an immediate release oral dosage form having an identical amount of
the steroidal compound (e.g., a testosterone alkyl ester, such as
testosterone undecanoate) as is present in the delayed release oral
dosage form.
[0074] In some embodiments, the delayed release oral dosage form
provides a fluctuation index of testosterone at steady state that
is at least 20% lower, at least 15% lower, at least 10% lower, at
least 5% lower, about 20-95% lower, about 15-99% lower, about
10-99% lower, about 20-99% lower, about 15-99% lower, about 10-99%
lower, about 5-99% lower, about 20-90% lower, about 20-80% lower,
about 15-60% lower, about 10-60% lower, or about 5-40% lower than a
fluctuation index of testosterone at steady state of an immediate
release oral dosage form having an identical amount of the
steroidal compound (e.g., a testosterone alkyl ester, such as
testosterone undecanoate) as is present in the delayed release oral
dosage form. In certain embodiments, the delayed release oral
dosage form provides a fluctuation index of testosterone alkyl
ester at steady state that is at least 20% lower, at least 15%
lower, at least 10% lower, at least 5% lower, about 20-95% lower,
about 15-99% lower, about 10-99% lower, about 20-99% lower, about
15-99% lower, about 10-99% lower, about 5-99% lower, about 20-90%
lower, about 20-80% lower, about 15-60% lower, about 10-60% lower,
or about 5-40% lower than a fluctuation index of testosterone alkyl
ester at steady state of an immediate release oral dosage form
having an identical amount of the testosterone alkyl ester as is
present in the delayed release oral dosage form. In some
embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage form
provided herein that does not comprise oleate provides a
fluctuation index of testosterone at steady state that is at least
20% lower, at least 15% lower, at least 10% lower, at least 5%,
about 20-95% lower, about 15-99% lower, about 10-99% lower, about
20-99% lower, about 15-99% lower, about 10-99% lower, about 5-99%
lower, about 20-90% lower, about 20-80% lower, about 15-60% lower,
about 10-60% lower, or about 5-40% lower than a fluctuation index
of testosterone at steady state provided by an oleate-containing
oral dosage form having an identical amount of the steroidal
compound (e.g., a testosterone alkyl ester, such as testosterone
undecanoate). In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition
or oral dosage form provided herein that does not contain castor
oil (unmodified by polyoxylation or hydrogenation) provides a
fluctuation index of testosterone alkyl ester at steady state that
is at least 20% lower, at least 15% lower, at least 10% lower, at
least 5% lower, about 20-95% lower, about 15-99% lower, about
10-99% lower, about 20-99% lower, about 15-99% lower, about 10-99%
lower, about 5-99% lower, about 20-90% lower, about 20-80% lower,
about 15-60% lower, about 10-60% lower, or about 5-40% lower than a
fluctuation index of testosterone alkyl ester at steady state of an
castor oil-containing oral dosage form having an identical amount
of the steroidal compound (e.g., a testosterone alkyl ester, such
as testosterone undecanoate). As utilized herein, the fluctuation
index is the difference between the mean plasma C.sub.max and mean
plasma C.sub.min values that are achieved after administration of
an dosage form.
[0075] In some embodiments, provided herein is a delayed oral
dosage form that is formulated such that it provides, following a
single oral administration, a mean plasma AUC.sub.0-.infin.
concentration of testosterone of that is at least 40%, at least 50%
or at least 60% of the mean plasma. AUC.sub.0-.infin. concentration
of testosterone provided by an immediate release dosage form.
Methods
[0076] In certain embodiments, provided herein are methods of
treating an individual in need of an androgen therapy with any
pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage form described herein. In
some embodiments, provided are methods of treating androdeficiency
in an individual in need thereof by administering to the individual
any pharmaceutical composition or dosage form described herein,
wherein the pharmaceutical composition or dosage form described
herein comprises a therapeutically effective amount of a steroidal
compound (e.g., one or more testosterone alkyl ester, such as
testosterone undecanoate). In some embodiments, individuals are
androdeficient (e.g., hypogonadal, andropausal, or otherwise
androdeficient) adult male humans, young male humans who are
suffering from delayed puberty (e.g., as a result of being
hypogonadal), androdeficient (e.g., postmenopausal or otherwise
androdeficient) adult female humans.
[0077] In specific embodiments, provided herein are methods of
treating testosterone deficiency in male humans by administering to
the male human any pharmaceutical composition or dosage form
described herein, wherein the pharmaceutical composition or dosage
form described herein comprises a therapeutically effective amount
of one or more testosterone alkyl ester (e.g., testosterone
undecanoate). In more specific embodiments, provided herein are
methods of treating testosterone deficiency in hypogonadal male
humans (e.g., adult or prepubescent male humans) by administering
to the hypogonadal male human any pharmaceutical composition or
dosage form described herein, wherein the pharmaceutical
composition or dosage form described herein comprises a
therapeutically effective amount of one or more testosterone alkyl
ester (e.g., testosterone undecanoate). Symptoms of testosterone
deficiency may include, by way of non-limiting example, one or more
of depression, reduced libido, low energy, anemia, osteoporosis,
debilitating muscle weakness, or the like. Therefore, in some
embodiments, such symptoms, when caused by or suspected of being
caused by andro- or testosterone deficiency, are also treated,
either individually or collectively, by administering to a male
human in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage
form described herein. In some embodiments, provided herein are
methods of treating testosterone deficiency in male humans by
administering to the male human any pharmaceutical composition or
dosage form described herein, wherein the pharmaceutical
composition or dosage form described herein comprises a
therapeutically effective amount of one or more testosterone alkyl
ester (e.g., testosterone undecanoate) co-administered with a
5-alpha reductase enzyme inhibitor (e.g dutasteride, finesteride,
isotertinoin, gallic acid, L-lysine, epigallocatechin gallate, saw
palmetto, phytosterol complex, beta sitosterol, green tea extract,
polyphenols etc.). In more specific embodiments, the enzyme
inhibitor can be co-administered as a separate composition or be a
part of the same testosterone alkyl ester-containing
composition.
[0078] In some embodiments, provided herein are methods of treating
sexual dysfunction in an individual in need thereof by
administering the individual any pharmaceutical composition or
dosage form described herein, wherein the pharmaceutical
composition or dosage form described herein comprises a
therapeutically effective amount of a steroidal compound (e.g., one
or more testosterone alkyl ester, such as testosterone
undecanoate). In certain embodiments, the individual is a male
adult human. In some embodiments, the individual is a female adult
human.
[0079] In specific embodiments, provided herein are methods of
treating andro-deficiency in female humans (e.g., adult female
humans) by administering to the female human any pharmaceutical
composition or dosage form described herein, wherein the
pharmaceutical composition or dosage form described herein
comprises a therapeutically effective amount of one or more
testosterone alkyl ester (e.g., testosterone undecanoate). In some
embodiments, provided herein are methods of maintaining muscle
and/or bone mass in female humans (e.g., adult female humans) by
administering to the female human any pharmaceutical composition or
dosage form described herein, wherein the pharmaceutical
composition or dosage form described herein comprises a
therapeutically effective amount of one or more testosterone alkyl
ester (e.g., testosterone undecanoate).
[0080] Provided in various embodiments of the methods described
herein, administered are pharmaceutical compositions comprising
therapeutically effective amounts of one or more steroidal compound
(e.g., one or more testosterone alkyl ester, such as testosterone
undecanoate). In some embodiments, a therapeutically effective
amount is between about 1 mg and about 1 g, or about 10 mg to about
200 mg of one or more steroidal compound (e.g., one or more
testosterone alkyl ester, such as testosterone undecanoate). In
specific embodiments, a therapeutically effective amount is about
10 mg to about 50 mg, about 15 mg to about 40 mg, about 20 mg, to
about 30 mg, or about 25 mg of one or more steroidal compound
(e.g., one or more testosterone alkyl ester, such as testosterone
undecanoate). In other embodiments, a therapeutically effective
amount is about 70 mg to about 150 mg, about 80 mg to about 140 mg,
about 90 mg to about 140 mg, about 100 mg to about 130 mg, about
110 mg to about 130 mg, or about 120 mg of one or more steroidal
compound (e.g., one or more testosterone alkyl ester, such as
testosterone undecanoate). In some embodiments, a therapeutically
effective amount is about 0.1 mg to about 5 mg per kg of an
individual to whom the oral dosage form is administered. In certain
embodiments, a therapeutically effective amount is about 1 mg to
about 1 g, about 5 mg to about 500 mg, about 10 mg to about 300 mg,
or about 20 to about 250 mg of a steroidal compound (e.g., a
testosterone alkyl ester, such as testosterone undecanoate) per
day.
[0081] In certain embodiments, the methods described herein a
plasma C.sub.max of testosterone that is less than 1500 ng/dL,
about 100 ng/dL to about 1500 ng/dL, or about 500 ng/dL to about
1500 ng/dL in at least 85% of a population of individuals
(following administration of a single dose and/or in the steady
state). In some embodiments the methods described herein provide a
plasma C.sub.max of testosterone that is less than 1800 ng/dL,
about 100 ng/dL to about 1800 ng/dL, or about 500 ng/dL to about
1800 ng/dL in at least 95% of a population of individuals
(following administration of a single dose and/or in the steady
state). In some embodiments, the methods described herein provide a
plasma C.sub.max of testosterone that is less than 2500 ng/dL, or
about 100 ng/dL to 2500 ng/dL in all individuals (following
administration of a single dose and/or in the steady state). In
certain embodiments, the methods described herein provide a plasma
concentration of testosterone at steady state that is between about
200 ng/dL and 1300 ng/dL in at least 75%, at least 80%, at least
85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 99% of a population of
individuals. In some embodiments, the methods described herein
provide a plasma concentration of testosterone at steady state that
is between about 200 ng/dL and 1100 ng/dL in at least 75%, at least
80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 99% of a
population of individuals. In certain embodiments, the methods
described herein provide a plasma concentration of testosterone at
steady state that is between about 300 ng/dL and 1000 ng/dL in at
least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%,
at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 99% of a
population of individuals. Similarly, in various embodiments, the
methods described herein provide any of the pharmacokinetic or
pharmacodynamic profiles described for the pharmaceutical
compositions or dosage forms described herein.
[0082] In various embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions or
dosage forms described herein are administered orally. In some
embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions described herein comprise
or are divided into one or more oral dosage forms described herein.
Thus, in some embodiments, methods described herein comprise and/or
pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic profiles described herein are
achieved by administration of a plurality of oral dosage forms
simultaneously, sequentially or in a substantially simultaneous
manner. Furthermore, administration of pharmaceutical compositions
or oral dosage forms described herein is achieved in any
therapeutically effective manner. In some embodiments, the
pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage form is administered once
a day, twice a day, three times a day, four times a day, or the
like. In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition or oral
dosage form described herein is administered in the fed state. In
certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition or oral dosage
form described herein is administered with a meal, within 30
minutes of a meal, within 1 hour of a meal, or within 2 hours of a
meal. In more specific embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition or
oral dosage form described herein is administered with a meal,
within 30 minutes after a meal, within 1 hour after a meal, or
within 2 hours after a meal. In some embodiments, provided herein
is a reduced food effect pharmaceutical composition or dosage form,
the pharmaceutical composition or dosage form comprising the
components as set forth in any embodiment described herein. In some
embodiments, the reduced food effect pharmaceutical composition or
dosage form provides, when orally administered in the fasted state,
a maximum plasma concentration (C.sub.max) of testosterone that is
at least 90%, at least 80%, at least 70%, at least 60%, at least
50%, at least 40%, at least 30%, at least 20%, at least 15%, at
least 10%, or at least 5% of the maximum plasma concentration
(C.sub.max) of testosterone provided when the same or identical
pharmaceutical composition or dosage form is administered in the
fed state. In certain embodiments, the reduced food effect
pharmaceutical composition or dosage form provides, when orally
administered in the fasted state, a maximum plasma concentration
(C.sub.max) of testosterone alkyl ester that is at least 90%, at
least 80%, at least 70%, at least 60%, at least 50%, at least 40%,
at least 30%, at least 20%, at least 15%, at least 10%, or at least
5% of the maximum plasma concentration (C.sub.max) of testosterone
alkyl ester provided when the same or identical pharmaceutical
composition or dosage form is administered in the fed state. In
some embodiments, the reduced food effect pharmaceutical
composition or dosage form provides, when orally administered in
the fasted state, a maximum plasma concentration (C.sub.max) of
dihydrotestosterone that is at least 90%, at least 80%, at least
70%, at least 60%, at least 50%, at least 40%, at least 30%, at
least 20%, at least 15%, at least 10%, or at least 5% of the
maximum plasma concentration (C.sub.max) of dihydrotestosterone
provided when the same or identical pharmaceutical composition or
dosage form is administered in the fed state.
[0083] In certain embodiments, provided herein is a method of
treating androgen deficiency in an individual, or a disorder
associated therewith, the method comprising administering to an
individual in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of
any composition described herein. In some embodiments, a
composition adminstered according to a method described herein is
formulated so as to provide any pharmacokinetic and/or
pharmacodynamic effect described herein. In certain embodiments,
methods provided herein comprise the administration of a sufficient
amount of a composition described herein so as to provide any
pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic effect described herein. In
various embodiments, any protocol described herein for the
administration of compositions is optionally utilized in any
methods described herein.
Carriers
[0084] Provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a
steroidal compound (e.g., one or more testosterone alkyl ester,
such as testosterone undecanoate) and at least one pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier. In certain embodiments, the at least one
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises at least one
hydrophilic carrier (e.g., hydrophilic surfactant or additive), at
least one lipophilic carrier (e.g., lipophilic surfactant or
additive), and/or at least one viscosity enhancer or solidifying
agent. In specific embodiments, the at least one pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier is a hydrophilic carrier. In more specific
embodiments, the at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier
comprises or further comprises a lipophilic carrier. In further
embodiments, the at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier
comprises at least one hydrophilic carrier, at least one lipidic
and/or lipophilic carrier, and at least one viscosity enhancer or
solidifying agent.
[0085] In certain embodiments, hydrophilic carriers include, by way
of non-limiting example, a hydrophilic surfactant. In various
instances, hydrophilic surfactants are used to provide any one or
more of several advantageous characteristics to the compositions,
including, by way of non-limiting example: increased solubility of
the active ingredient in at least one of the fractions of the
carrier that is a solid carrier; improved dissolution of the active
ingredient; improved dispersion and/or dissolution of the lipidic
carrier; improved solubilization of the active ingredient upon
dissolution; enhanced absorption and/or bioavailability of the
active ingredient, particularly a hydrophilic, hydrophobic, or
lipophilic active ingredient; and improved stability, both physical
and chemical, of the active ingredient. In various embodiments, the
hydrophilic surfactant includes either a single hydrophilic
surfactant or a mixture of hydrophilic surfactants. Hydrophilic
surfactants also include both ionic or non-ionic surfactants.
[0086] In some embodiments, lipophilic carriers include or further
include, by way of non-limiting example, one or more lipophilic
surfactant, including one or more lipophilic surfactant, one or
more mono-, di-, or triglyceride, or mixtures thereof. In various
instances, lipophilic surfactants provide any one or more of the
advantageous characteristics listed above for hydrophilic
surfactants, and/or enhance the function of other (e.g.,
hydrophilic) surfactants present in the pharmaceutical
composition.
[0087] The terms "hydrophilic" and "lipophilic" are relative terms.
Hydrophilicity and/or lipophilicity are determined in any manner
suitable. In one instances, an empirical parameter is used to
characterize the relative hydrophilicity and lipophilicity of the
carriers described herein. For example, in one manner, the
hydrophilicity and/or lipophilicity non-ionic amphiphilic compounds
is the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (the "HLB" value). Carriers
or surfactants with lower HLB values are more lipophilic, and have
greater solubility in oils, whereas surfactants with higher HLB
values are more hydrophilic, and have greater solubility in aqueous
mediums. This measure is suitable for the surfactants described
herein because, generally, surfactants are amphiphilic as they
comprise both a polar moiety (e.g., a polar non-charged or charged
moiety) and a lipophilic moiety (e.g., an aliphatic group).
[0088] Using HLB values as a rough guide, hydrophilic surfactants
are generally considered to be those compounds having an HLB value
greater than about 10, as well as non-ionic, anionic, cationic, or
zwitterionic compounds for which the HLB scale is not generally
applicable. Similarly, lipophilic surfactants are compounds having
an HLB value less than about 10.
[0089] It should be appreciated that the HLB value of a surfactant
is merely a rough guide generally used to enable formulation of
industrial, pharmaceutical and cosmetic emulsions. For many
important surfactants, including several polyethoxylated
surfactants, it has been reported that HLB values can differ by as
much as about 8 HLB units, depending upon the empirical method
chosen to determine the HLB value (Schott, J. Pharm. Sciences,
79(1), 87-88 (1990)). Likewise, for certain polypropylene oxide
containing block copolymers (poloxamers, available commercially as
PLURONIC.RTM. surfactants, BASF Corp.), the HLB values are not
always authoritative indicators of the true physical chemical
nature of the compounds. Finally, commercial surfactant products
are generally not pure compounds, but are often complex mixtures of
compounds, and the HLB value reported for a particular compound may
more accurately be characteristic of the commercial product of
which the compound is a major component. Different commercial
products having the same primary surfactant component can, and
typically do, have different HLB values. In addition, a certain
amount of lot-to-lot variability is expected even for a single
commercial surfactant product. Thus, keeping these considerations
involved, a person of ordinary skill in the art is able to utilize
HLB values and the identity of a given product to determine
surfactants for suitable lipophilicity and/or hydrophilicity for
use in the pharmaceutical compositions described herein.
[0090] As used herein, useful surfactants include any surfactant
that is pharmaceutically acceptable and is suitable for use in a
pharmaceutical composition. Suitable surfactants include anionic,
cationic, zwitterionic and non-ionic surfactants. Provided herein
(e.g., in the Tables) are several general classes of surfactants.
The HLB values given in the Tables below generally represent the
HLB value as reported by the manufacturer of the corresponding
commercial product. In cases where more than one commercial product
is listed, the HLB value in the Tables is the value as reported for
one of the commercial products, a rough average of the reported
values, or a value that, in the judgment of the present inventors,
is more reliable.
[0091] Surfactants described in the Tables are illustrative and are
provided as non-limiting examples. For example, refined, distilled
or fractionated surfactants, purified fractions thereof, or
re-esterified fractions, are also within the scope of surfactants
described herein, although they are not specifically listed in the
Tables.
[0092] In some embodiments, surfactants described herein include
polyoxylated fatty acids, such as polyethoxylated fatty acids
(i.e., PEG-fatty acid esters). Provided in Table 1 is a list of
illustrative and non-limiting examples of polyethoxylated fatty
acid monoester surfactants.
TABLE-US-00018 TABLE 1 PEG-Fatty Acid Monoester Surfactants
COMPOUND COMMERCIAL PRODUCT (Supplier) HLB PEG 4-100 monolaurate
Crodet L series (Croda) >9 PEG 4-100 monooleate Crodet O series
(Croda) >8 PEG 4-100 monostearate Crodet S series (Croda), Myrj
Series (Atlas/ICI) >6 PEG 400 distearate Cithrol 4D5 series
(Croda) >10 PEG 100, 200, 300 monolaurate Cithrol ML series
(Croda) >10 PEG 100, 200, 300 monooleate Cithrol MO series
(Croda) >10 PEG 400 dioleate Cithrol 4DO series (Croda) >10
PEG 400-1000 monostearate Cithrol MS series (Croda) >10 PEG-1
stearate Nikkol MYS-IEX (Nikko), Coster KI (Condea) 2 PEG-2
stearate Nikkol MYS-2 (Nikko) 4 PEG-2 oleate Nikkol MYO-2 (Nikko)
4.5 PEG-4 laurate Mapeg.RTM. 200 ML (PPG), Kessco.RTM. PEG 200ML
9.3 (Stepan), LIPOPEG 2L (LIPO Chem.) PEG-4 oleate Mapeg.RTM. 200
MO (PPG), 8.3 Kessco..RTM. PEG200 MO (Stepan) PEG-4 stearate
Kessco.RTM. PEG 200 MS (Stepan), 6.5 Hodag 20 S (Calgene), Nikkol
MYS-4 (Nikko) PEG-5 stearate Nikkol TMGS-5 (Nikko) 9.5 PEG-5 oleate
Nikkol TMGO-5 (Nikko) 9.5 PEG-6 oleate Algon OL 60 (Auschem SpA),
8.5 Kessco.RTM. PEG 300 MO (Stepan), Nikkol MYO-6 (Nikko),
Emulgante A6 (Condea) PEG-7 oleate Algon OL 70 (Auschem SpA) 10.4
PEG-6 laurate Kessco.RTM. PEG300 ML (Stepan) 11.4 PEG-7 laurate
Lauridac 7 (Condea) 13 PEG-6 stearate Kessco.RTM. PEG300 MS
(Stepan) 9.7 PEG-8 laurate Mapeg.RTM. 400 ML (PPG), 13 LIPOPEG
4DL(Lipo Chem.) PEG-8 oleate Mapeg.RTM. 400 MO (PPG), 12 Emulgante
A8 (Condea); Kessco PEG 400 MO (Stepan) PEG-8 stearate Mapeg.RTM.
400 MS (PPG), Myrj 45 12 PEG-9 oleate Emulgante A9 (Condea) >10
PEG-9 stearate Cremophor 59 (BASF) >10 PEG-10 laumte Nikkol
MYL-10 (Nikko), 13 Lauridac 10 (Croda) PEG-10 oleate Nikkol MYO-10
(Nikko) 11 PEG-10 stearate Nikkol MYS-10 (Nikko), 11 Coster K100
(Condea) PEG-12 laurate Kessco.RTM. PEG 600ML (Stepan) 15 PEG-12
oleate Kessco.RTM. PEG 600MO (Stepan) 14 PEG-12 ricinoleate (CAS
#9004-97-1) >10 PEG-12 stearate Mapeg.RTM. 600 MS (PPG), 14
Kessco.RTM. PEG 600MS (Stepan) PEG-15 stearate Nikkol TMGS-15
(Nikko), 14 Koster K15 (Condea) PEG-15 oleate Nikkol TMGO-15
(Nikko) 15 PEG-20 laurate Kessco.RTM. PEG 1000 ML (Stepan) 17
PEG-20 oleate Kessco.RTM. PEG 1000 MO (Stepan) 15 PEG-20 stearate
Mapeg.RTM. 1000 MS (PPG), 16 Kessco.RTM. PEG 1000 MS (Stepan), Myrj
49 PEG-25 stearate Nikkol MYS-25 (Nikko) 15 PEG-32 laurate
Kessco.RTM. PEG 1540 ML (Stepan) 16 PEG-32 oleate Kessco.RTM. PEG
1540 MO (Stepan) 17 PEG-32 stearate Kessco.RTM. PEG 1540 MS
(Stepan) 17 PEG-30 stearate Myrj 51 >10 PEG-40 laurate Crodet
L40 (Croda) 17.9 PEG-40 oleate Crodet O40 (Croda) 17.4 PEG-40
stearate Myrj 52, Emerest.RTM. 2715 (Henkel), >10 Nikkol MYS-40
(Nikko) PEG-45 stearate Nikkol MYS-45 (Nikko) 18 PEG-50 stearate
Myrj 53 >10 PEG-55 stearate Nikkol MYS-55 (Nikko) 18 PEG-100
oleate Crodet 0-100 (Croda) 18.8 PEG-100 stearate Myrj 59, Arlacel
165 (ICI) 19 PEG-200 oleate Albunol 200 MO (Taiwan Surf.) >10
PEG-400 oleate LACTOMUL (Henkel), >10 Albunol 400 MO (Taiwan
Surf.) PEG-600 oleate Albunol 600 MO (Taiwan Surf) >10
[0093] Furthermore, in some embodiments, surfactants described
herein include, by way of non-limiting example, polyethylene glycol
(PEG) fatty acid diesters. Illustrative and non-limiting examples
of PEG-fatty acid diesters are shown in Table 2.
TABLE-US-00019 TABLE 2 PEG-Fatty Acid Diester Surfactants COMPOUND
COMMERCIAL PRODUCT (Supplier) HLB PEG-4 dilaurate Mapeg.RTM. 200 DL
(PPG), 7 Kessco.RTM. PEG 200 DL (Stepan), LIPOPEG 6 2-DL (Lipo
Chem.) PEG-4 dioleate Mapeg.RTM. 200 DO (PPG), 6 PEG-4 distearate
Kessco.RTM. 200 DS (Stepan) 5 PEG-6 dilaurate Kessco.RTM. PEG 300
DL (Stepan) 9.8 PEG-6 dioleate Kessco.RTM. PEG 300 DO (Stepan) 7.2
PEG-6 distearate Kessco.RTM. PEG 300 DS (Stepan) 6.5 PEG-8
dilaurate Mapeg.RTM. 400 DL (PPG), 11 Kessco.RTM. PEG 400 DL
(Stepan), LIPOPEG 4 DL (Lipo Chem.) PEG-8 dioleate Mapeg.RTM. 400
DO (PPG), 8.8 Kessco.RTM. PEG 400 DO (Stepan), LIPOPEG 4 DO (Lipo
Chem.) PEG-8 distearate Mapeg.RTM. 400 DS (PPG), CDS 400 (Nikkol)
11 PEG-10 dipalmitate Polyaldo 2PKFG >10 PEG-12 dilaurate
Kessco.RTM. PEG 600 DL (Stepan) 11.7 PEG-12 distearate Kessco.RTM.
PEG 600 DS (Stepan) 10.7 PEG-12 dioleate Mapeg.RTM. 600 DO (PPG),
10 Kessco.RTM. 600 DO (Stepan) PEG-20 dilaurate Kessco.RTM. PEG
1000 DL (Stepan) 15 PEG-20 dioleate Kessco.RTM. PEG 1000 DO
(Stepan) 13 PEG-20 distearate Kessco.RTM. PEG 1000 DS (Stepan) 12
PEG-32 dilaurate Kessco.RTM. PEG 1540 DL (Stepan) 16 PEG-32
dioleate Kessco.RTM. PEG 1540 DO (Stepan) 15 PEG-32 distearate
Kessco.RTM. PEG 1540 DS (Stepan) 15 PEG-400 dioleate Cithrol 4DO
series (Croda) >10 PEG-400 distearate Cithrol 4DS series (Croda)
>10
[0094] As discussed above, in some embodiments, pharmaceutical
compositions described herein comprise mixtures of surfactants,
including, e.g., mixtures of two or more commercial surfactant
products. Several PEG-fatty acid esters are marketed commercially
as mixtures or mono- and diesters. Illustrative and non-limiting
examples of surfactant mixtures are shown in Table 3.
TABLE-US-00020 TABLE 3 PEG-Fatty Acid Mono-and Diester Mixtures
COMPOUND COMMERCIAL PRODUCT (Supplier) HLB PEG 4-150 mono,
Kessco.RTM. PEG 200-6000 mono, dilaurate dilaurate (Stepan) PEG
4-150 mono, Kessco.RTM. PEG 200-6000 mono, dioteate dioleate
(Stepan) PEG 4-150 mono, Kessco.RTM. 200-6000 mono, distearate
distearate (Stepan)
[0095] In some embodiments, surfactants described herein include,
by way of non-limiting example, polyethylene glycol glycerol fatty
acid esters (PEG glycerol fatty acid esters). Illustrative and
non-limiting examples of PEG glycerol fatty acid esters are shown
in Table 4.
TABLE-US-00021 TABLE 4 PEG Glycerol Fatty Acid Esters COMPOUND
COMMERCIAL PRODUCT (Supplier) HLB PEG-20 glyceryl laurate
Tagat.RTM. L (Goldschmidt) 16 PEG-30 glyceryl laurate Tagat.RTM. L2
(Goldschmidt) 16 PEG-15 glyceryl laurate Glycerox L series (Croda)
15 PEG-40 glyceryl laurate Glycerox L series (Croda) 15 PEG-20
glyceryl stearate Capmul.RTM. EMG (ABITEC), 13 Aldo.RTM. MS-20 KFG
(Lonza) PEG-20 glyceryl oleate Tagat.RTM. O (Goldschmidt) >10
PEG-30 glyceryl oleate Tagat.RTM. O2 (Goldschmidt) >10
[0096] In certain embodiments, surfactants of different degrees of
lipophilicity or hydrophilicity are prepared by reaction of
alcohols or polyalcohols with a variety of natural and/or
hydrogenated oils. In some embodiments, the oils used are castor
oil or hydrogenated castor oil or an edible vegetable oil such as
corn oil, olive oil, peanut oil, palm kernel oil, apricot kernel
oil, or almond oil. In specific embodiments, alcohols include
glycerol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol,
sorbitol, and pentaerythritol. In certain embodiments, such
surfactants are utilized in the pharmaceutical compositions
described herein. Illustrative and non-limiting examples of
surfactants of this class suitable for use in the pharmaceutical
compositions described herein are shown in Table 5.
TABLE-US-00022 TABLE 5 Transesterification Products of Oils and
Alcohols COMPOUND COMMERCIAL PRODUCT (Supplier) HLB PEG-3 castor
oil Nikkol CO-3 (Nikko) 3 PEG-5, 9, and 16 ACCONON CA series
(ABITEC) 6-7 castor oil PEG-20 castor oil Emalex C-20 (Nihon
Emulsion), 11 Nikkol CO-20 TX (Nikko) PEG-23 castor oil Emulgante
EL23 >10 PEG-30 castor oil Emalex C-30 (Nihon Emulsion), 11
Alkamuls.RTM. EL 620 (Rhone- Poulenc), Incrocas 30 (Croda) PEG-35
castor oil Cremophor EL and EL-P (BASF), Emulphor EL, Incrocas-35
(Croda), Emulgin RO 35 (Henkel) PEG-38 castor oil Emulgante EL 65
(Condea) PEG-40 castor oil Emalex C-40 (Nihon Emulsion), 13
Alkamuls.RTM. EL 719 (Rhone- Poulenc) PEG-50 castor oil Emalex C-50
(Nihon Emulsion) 14 PEG-56 castor oil Eumulgin.RTM. PRT 56 (Pulcra
SA) >10 PEG-60 castor oil Nikkol CO-60TX (Nikko) 14 PEG-100
castor oil Thornley >10 PEG-200 castor oil Eumulgin.RTM. PRT 200
(Pulcra SA) >10 PEG-5 hydrogenated Nikkol HCO-5 (Nikko) 6 castor
oil PEG-7 hydrogenated Simusol.RTM. 989 (Seppic), 6 castor oil
Cremophor WO7 (BASF) PEG-10 hydrogenated Nikkol HCO-10 (Nikko) 6.5
castor oil PEG-20 hydrogenated Nikkol HCO-20 (Nikko) 11 castor oil
PEG-25 hydrogenated Simulsol.RTM. 1292 (Seppic), 11 castor oil
Cerex ELS 250 (Auschem SpA) PEG-30 hydrogenated Nikkol HCO-30
(Nikko) 11 castor oil PEG-40 hydrogenated Cremophor RH 40 (BASF),
13 castor oil Croduret (Croda), Emulgin HRE 40 (Henkel) PEG-45
hydrogenated Cerex ELS 450 (Auschem Spa) 14 castor oil PEG-50
hydrogenated Emalex HC-50 (Nihon Emulsion) 14 castor oil PEG-60
hydrogenated Nikkol HCO-60 (Nikko); 15 castor oil Cremophor RH 60
(BASF) PEG-80 hydrogenated Nikkol HCO-80 (Nikko) 15 castor oil
PEG-100 Nikkol HCO-100 (Nikko) 17 hydrogenated castor oil PEG-6
corn oil Labrafil.RTM. M 2125 CS (Gattefosse) 4 PEG-6 almond oil
Labrafil.RTM. M 1966 CS (Gattefosse) 4 PEG-6 apricot Labrafil.RTM.
M 1944 CS (Gattefosse) 4 kernel oil PEG-6 olive oil Labrafil.RTM. M
1980 CS (Gattefosse) 4 PEG-6 peanut oil Labrafil.RTM. M 1969 CS
(Gattefosse) 4 PEG-6 hydrogenated Labrafil.RTM. M 2130 BS
(Gattefosse) 4 palm kernel oil PEG-6 palm kernel oil Labrafil.RTM.
M 2130 CS (Gattefosse) 4 PEG-6 triolein Labrafil.RTM. M 2735 CS
(Gattefosse) 4 PEG-8 corn oil Labrafil.RTM. WL 2609 BS (Gattefosse)
6-7 PEG-20 corn Crovol M40 (Croda) 10 glycerides PEG-20 almond
Crovol A40 (Croda) 10 glycerides PEG-25 trioleate TAGAT.RTM. TO
(Goldschmidt) 11 PEG-40 palm Crovol PK-70 >10 kernel oil PEG-60
corn Crovol M70 (Croda) 15 glycerides PEG-60 almond Crovol A70
(Croda) 15 glycerides PEG-4 caprylic/capric Labrafac.RTM. Hydro
(Gattefosse), 4-5 triglyceride PEG-8 caprylic/capric Labrasol
(Gattefosse), >10 glycerides Labrafac CM 10 (Gattefosse) PEG-6
caprylic/capric SOFTIGEN.RTM. 767 (Huls), 19 glycerides Glycerox
767 (Croda) Lauroyl macrogol-32 GELUCIRE 44/14 (Gattefosse) 14
glyceride Stearoyl macrogol GELUCIRE 50/13 (Gattefosse) 13
glyceride Mono, di, tri, tetra SorbitoGlyceride (Gattefosse) >10
esters of vegetable oils and sorbitol Pentaelythrityl Crodamol PTIS
(Croda) >10 tetraisostearate Pentaelythrityl Albunol DS (Taiwan
Surf.) >10 distearate Pentaelythrityl Liponate PO-4 (Lipo Chem.)
>10 tetraoleate Pentaelythrityl Liponate PS-4 (Lipo Chem.)
>10 tetrastearate Pentaelythrityl Liponate PE-810 (Lipo Chem.),
>10 tetracaprylate/ Crodamol PTC (Croda) tetracaprate
Pentaelythrityl Nikkol Pentarate 408 (Nikko) tetraoctanoate
[0097] In some embodiments, surfactants utilized in the
pharmaceutical compositions described herein include, by way of
non-limiting example, polyglycerized fatty acids. Illustrative and
non-limiting examples of suitable polyglyceryl esters are shown in
Table 6.
TABLE-US-00023 TABLE 6 Polyglycerized Fatty Acids COMPOUND
COMMERCIAL PRODUCT (Supplier) HLB Polyglyceryl-2 stearate Nikkol
DGMS (Nikko) 5-7 Polyglyceryl-2 oleate Nikkol DGMO (Nikko) 5-7
Polyglyceryl-2 isostearate Nikkol DGMIS (Nikko) 5-7 Polyglyceryl-3
oleate Caprol.RTM. 3G0 (ABITEC), 6.5 Drewpol 3-1-O (Stepan)
Polyglyceryl-4 oleate Nikkol Tetraglyn 1-O (Nikko) 5-7
Polyglyceryl-4 stearate Nikkol Tetraglyn 1-S (Nikko) 5-6
Polyglyceryl-6 oleate Drewpol 6-1-O (Stepan), 9 Nikkol Hexaglyn 1-O
(Nikko) Polyglyceryl-10 laurate Nikkol Decaglyn 1-L (Nikko) 15
Polyglyceryl-10 oleate Nikkol Decaglyn 1-O (Nikko) 14
Polyglyceryl-10 stearate Nikkol Decaglyn 1-S (Nikko) 12
Polyglyceryl-6 ricinoleate Nikkol Hexaglyn PR-15 (Nikko)
Polyglyceryl-10 linoleate Nikkol Decaglyn I-LN (Nikko) 12
Polyglyceryl-6 pentaoleate Nikkol Hexaglyn S-O (Nikko) >10
Polyglyceryl-3 dioleate Cremophor G032 (BASF) >10 Polyglyceryl-3
distearate Cremophor GS32 (BASF) >10 Polyglyceryl-4 pentaoleate
Nikkol Tetraglyn 5-O (Nikko) >10 Polyglyceryl-6 dioleate
Caprol.RTM. 6G20 8.5 (ABITEC); Hodag PGO-62 (Calgene), PLUROL
OLEIQUE CC 497 (Gattefosse) Polyglyceryl-2 dioleate Nikkol DGDO
(Nikko) 7 Polyglyceryl-10 trioleate Nikkol Decaglyn 3-O (Nikko) 7
Polyglyceryl-10 pentaoleate Nikkol Decaglyn 5-O (Nikko) 3.5
Polyglyceryl-10 septaoleate Nikkol Decagtyn 7-O (Nikko) 3
Polyglyceryl-10 tetraoleate Caprol.RTM. 10G40 (ABITEC); 6.2 Hodag
PGO-62 (CALGENE), Drewpol 10-4-O (Stepan) Polyglyceryl-10
decaisostearate Nikkol Decaglyn 10-IS (Nikko) >10
Polyglyceryl-10 decaoleate Drewpol 10-10-O (Stepan), 3.5 Caprol
10G10O (ABITEC), Nikkol Decaglyn 10-O Polyglyceryl-10 mono,
Caprol.RTM. PGE 860 (ABITEC) 11 dioleate Polyglyceryl
polyricinoIeate Polymuls (Henkel) 3-20
[0098] In some embodiments, surfactants utilized in the
pharmaceutical compositions described herein include, by way of
non-limiting example esters of propylene glycol and fatty acids.
Illustrative and non-limiting examples of surfactants of this class
are given in Table 7.
TABLE-US-00024 TABLE 7 Propylene Glycol Fatty Acid Esters COMPOUND
COMMERCIAL PRODUCT (Supplier) HLB Propylene glycol monocaprylate
Capryol 90 (Gattefosse), >10 Nikkol Sefsol 218 (Nikko) Propylene
glycol monolaurate Lauroglycol 90 (Gattefosse), >10 Lauroglycol
FCC (Gattefosse) Propylene glycol oleate Lutrol OP2000 (BASF)
>10 Propylene glycol myristate Mirpyl >10 Propylene glycol
monostearate ADM PGME-03 (ADM), 3-4 LIPO PGMS (Lipo Chem.),
Aldo.RTM. PGHMS (Lonza) Propylene glycol hydroxy stearate >10
Propylene glycol ricinoleate PROPYMULS (Henkel) >10 Propylene
glycol isostearate >10 Propylene glycol monooleate Myverol P-06
(Eastman) >10 Propylene glycol Captex.RTM. >6
dicaprylate/dicaprate 200 (ABITEC), Miglyol.RTM. 840 (Huls),
Neobee.RTM. M-20 (Stepan) Propylene glycol dioctanoate Captex.RTM.
800 (ABITEC) Propylene glycol LABRAFAC >6 caprylate/caprate PG
(Gattefosse) Propylene glycol dilaurate >6 Propylene glycol
distearate Kessco.RTM. PGDS (Stepan) >6 Propylene glycol
dicaprylate Nikkol Sefsol 228 (Nikko) >6 Propylene glycol
dicaprate Nikkol PDD (Nikko) >6
[0099] As discussed above, mixtures of surfactants are also used,
in some embodiments, in the pharmaceutical compositions described
herein. Mixtures of surfactants include, by way of non-limiting
example, mixtures of propylene glycol fatty acid esters and
glycerol fatty acid esters are suitable and are commercially
available. Illustrative and non-limiting examples of such mixtures
of surfactants include, by way of non-limiting example, those shown
in Table 8.
TABLE-US-00025 TABLE 8 Glycerol/Propylene Glycol Fatty Acid Esters
COMPOUND COMMERCIAL PRODUCT (Supplier) HLB Oleic ATMOS 300, ARLACEL
186 (ICI) 3-4 Stearic ATMOS 150 3-4
[0100] In certain embodiments, an important class of surfactants
includes the class of mono- and diglycerides. These surfactants are
generally lipophilic. Illustrative and non-limiting examples of
these surfactants are given in Table 9.
TABLE-US-00026 TABLE 9 Mono-and Diglyceride Surfactants COMPOUND
COMMERCIAL PRODUCT (Supplier) HLB Monopalmitolein (C16:1) (Larodan)
>10 Monoelaidin (C18:1) (Larodan) >10 Monocaproin (C6)
(Larodan) >10 Monocaprylin (Larodan) >10 Monocaprin (Larodan)
>10 Monolaurin (Larodan) >10 Glyceryl Nikkol MGM (Nikko) 3-4
monomyristate (C14) Glyceryl monooleate PECEOL (Gattefosse), 3-4
(C18:1) Hodag GMO-D, Nikkol MGO (Nikko) Glyceryl monooleate RYLO
series (Danisco), 3-4 DIMODAN series (Danisco), EMULDAN (Danisco),
ALDO.RTM. MO FG (Lonza), Kessco GMO (Stepan), MONOMULS.RTM. series
(Henkel), TEGIN O, DREWMULSE GMO (Stepan), Atlas G-695 (ICI),
GMOrphic 80 (Eastman), ADM DMG-40, 70, and 100 (ADM), Myverol
(Eastman) Glycerol monooleate/linoleate OLICINE (Gattefosse) 3-4
Glycerol monolinoleate Maisine (Gattefosse), 3-4 MYVEROL 18-92,
Myverol 18-06 (Eastman) Glyceryl Softigen.RTM. 701 (Huls), 6
ricinoleate HODAG GMR-D (Calgene), ALDO.RTM. MR (Lonza) Glyceryl
ALDO.RTM. MLD (Lonza), 6.8 monolaurate Hodag GML (Calgene) Glycerol
monopalmitate Emalex GMS-P (Nihon) 4 Glycerol Capmul.RTM. GMS.
(ABITEC), 5-9 monostearate Myvaplex (Eastman), IMWITOR.RTM. 191
(Huls), CUTINA GMS, Aldo.RTM. MS (Lonza), Nikkol MGS series (Nikko)
Glyceryl Capmul.RTM. GMO-K (ABITEC) >10 mono-, dioleate Glyceryl
CUTINA MD-A, ESTAGEL-G18 >10 palmitic/stearic Glyceryl acetate
Lamegin.RTM. EE (Granau GmbH) >10 Glyceryl laurate Inwitor.RTM.
312 (Huls), 4 Monomuls.RTM. 90-45 (Granau GmbH), Aldo.RTM. MLD
(Lonza) Glyceryl citrate/ Imwitor.RTM. 375 (Huls) >10
lactate/oleate/linoieate Glyceryl caprylate Imwitor.RTM. 308
(Huls), 5-6 Capmul.RTM. MCMC8 (ABITEC) Glyceryl Capmul.RTM. MCM
(ABITEC) 5-6 caprylate/caprate Caprylic acid mono, Imwitor.RTM. 988
(Huls) 5-6 diglycerides Caprylic/capric Imwitor.RTM. 742 (Huls)
>10 glycerides Mono-and diacetylated Myvacet.RTM. 9-45, 3.8-4
monoglycerides Myvacet.RTM. 9-40, Myvacet.RTM. 9-08 (Eastman),
Lamegin.RTM. (Grunau) Glyceryl monostearate Aldo.RTM. MS, Arlacel
129 (ICI), 4.4 LIPO GMS (Lipo Chem.), Imwitor.RTM. 191 (Huls),
Myvaplex (Eastman) Lactic acid esters of LAMEGIN GLP (Henkel)
>10 mono, diglycerides Dicaproin (C6) (Larodan) >10 Dicaprin
(C10) (Larodan) >10 Dioctanoin (C8) (Larodan) >10 Dimyristin
(C14) (Larodan) >10 Dipalmitin (C16) (Larodan) Distearin
(Larodan) >10 Glyceryl dilaurate (C12) Capmul.RTM. GDL (ABITEC)
3-4 Glyceryl dioleate Capmul.RTM. GDO (ABITEC) 3-4 Glycerol esters
of GELUCIRE 39/01 (Gattefosse), 1 fatty acids GELUCIRE 43/01
(Gattefosse) 6 GELUCIRE 37/06 (Gattefosse) Dipalmitolein (C16:1)
(Larodan) 1,2 and 1,3-diolein (C18:1) (Larodan) >10 Dielaidin
(C18:1) (Larodan) >10 Dilinolein (C18:2) (Larodan) >10
[0101] In some embodiments, surfactants utilized in the
pharmaceutical compositions described herein include sterols and
derivatives of sterols. In various embodiments, these surfactants
are hydrophilic or lipophilic. Illustrative and non-limiting
examples of surfactants of this class are shown in Table 10.
TABLE-US-00027 TABLE 10 Sterol and Sterol Derivative Surfactants
COMPOUND COMMERCIAL PRODUCT (Supplier) HLB Cholesterol, sitosterol,
>10 lanosterol PEG-24 cholesterol ether Solulan C-24 (Amerchol)
>10 PEG-30 cholestanol Nildcol DHC (Nikko) >10 Phytosterol
GENEROL series (Henkel) >10 PEG-25 phyto sterol Nildcol BPSH-25
(Nikko) >10 PEG-5 soya sterol Nildcol BPS-S (Nikko) >10
PEG-10 soya sterol Nildcol BPS-10 (Nikko) >10 PEG-20 soya sterol
Nildcol BPS-20 (Nikko) >10 PEG-30 soya sterol Nildcol BPS-30
(Nikko) >10
[0102] In some embodiments, surfactants useful in the
pharmaceutical compositions described herein include a variety of
PEG-sorbitan fatty acid esters. In general, these surfactants are
hydrophilic, although several lipophilic surfactants of this class
can be used. Illustrative and non-limiting examples of these
surfactants are shown in Table 11.
TABLE-US-00028 TABLE 11 PEG-Sorbitan Fatty Acid Esters COMPOUND
COMMERCIAL PRODUCT (Supplier) HLB PEG-10 sorbitan laurate Liposorb
L-10 (Lipo Chem.) >10 PEG-20 sorbitan monolaurate Tween-20
(Atlas/ICI), 17 Crillet 1 (Croda), DACOL MLS 20 (Condea) PEG-4
sorbitan monolaurate Tween-21 (Atlas/ICI), 13 Crillet 11 (Croda)
PEG-80 sorbitan monolaurate Hodag PSML-80 (Calgene); >10 T-Maz
28 PEG-6 sorbitan monolaurate Nikkol GL-1 (Nikko) 16 PEG-20
sorbitan monopalmitate Tween-40 (Atlas/ICI), 16 Crillet 2 (Croda)
PEG-20 sorbitan monostearate Tween-60 (Atlas/ICI), 15 Crillet 3
(Croda) PEG-4 sorbitan monostearate Tween-61 (Atlas/ICI), 9.6
Crillet 31 (Croda) PEG-8 sorbitan monostearate DACOL MSS (Condea)
>10 PBG-6 sorbitan monostearate Nikkol TS106 (Nikko) 11 PEG-20
sorbitan tristearate Tween-65 (Atlas/ICI), 11 Crillet 35 (Croda)
PEG-6 sorbitan tetrastearate Nikkol GS-6 (Nikko) 3 PEG-60 sothitan
tetrastearate Nikkol GS-460 (Nikko) 13 PEG-5 sorbitan monooleate
Tween-81 (Atlas/ICI), 10 Crillet 41 (Croda) PEG-6 sorbitan
monooleate Nikkol TO-106 (Nikko) 10 PEG-20 sorbitan monooleate
Tween-80 (Atlas/ICI), 15 Crillet 4 (Croda) PEG-40 sorbitan oleate
Emalex ET 8040 18 (Nihon Emulsion) PEG-20 sothitan trioleate
Tween-85 (Atlas/ICI), 11 Crillet 45 (Croda) PEG-6 sorbitan
tetraoleate Nikkol GO-4 (Nikko) 8.5 PEG-30 sorbitan tetraoleate
Nikkol GO-430 (Nikko) 12 PEG-40 sorbitan tetraoleate Nikkol GO-440
(Nikko) 13 PEG-20 monoisostearate sorbitan Tween-120 (Atlas/ICI),
>10 Crillet 6 (Croda) PEG sorbitol hexaoleate Atlas G-1086 (ICI)
10 PEG-6 sorbitol hexastearate Nikkol GS-6 (Nikko) 3
[0103] In some embodiments, surfactants utilized herein include
ethers of polyethylene glycol and alkyl alcohols. Illustrative and
non-limiting examples of these surfactants are shown in Table
12.
TABLE-US-00029 TABLE 12 Polyethylene Glycol Alkyl Ethers COMMERCIAL
COMPOUND PRODUCT (Supplier) HLB PEG-2 oleyl ether, oleth-2 Brij
92/93 (Atlas/ICI) 4.9 PEG-3 oleyl ether, oleth-3 Volpo 3 (Croda)
<10 PEG-5 oleyl ether, oleth-5 Volpo 5 (Croda) <10 PEG-10
oleyl ether, Volpo 10 (Croda), 12 oleth-10 Brij 96/97 (Atlas/ICI)
PEG-20 oleyl ether, Volpo 20 (Croda), 15 oleth-20 Brij 98/99
(Atlas/ICI) PEG-4 lauryl ether, Brij 30 (Atlas/ICI) 9.7 laureth-4
PEG-9 lauryl ether >10 PEG-23 lauryl ether, Brij 35 (Atlas/ICI)
17 laureth-23 PEG-2 cetyl ether Brij 52 (ICI) 5.3 PEG-10 cetyl
ether Brij 56 (ICI) 13 PEG-20 cetyl ether Brij 58 (ICI) 16 PEG-2
stearyl ether Brij 72 (ICI) 4.9 PEG-10 stearyl ether Brij 76 (ICI)
12 PEG-20 stearyl ether Brij 78 (ICI) 15 PEG-100 stearyl ether Brij
700 (ICI) >10
[0104] In certain embodiments, surfactants utilized in the
pharmaceutical compositions described herein include esters of
sugars. Illustrative and non-limiting examples of such surfactants
are shown in Table 13.
TABLE-US-00030 TABLE 13 Sugar Ester Surfactants COMMERCIAL PRODUCT
COMPOUND (Supplier) HLB Sucrose distearate SUCRO ESTER 7
(Gattefosse), 3 Crodesta F-10 (Croda) Sucrose distearate/ SUCRO
ESTER 11 (Gattefosse), 12 monostearate Crodesta F-110 (Croda)
Sucrose dipalmitate 7.4 Sucrose monostearate Crodesta F-160 (Croda)
15 Sucrose monopalmitate SUCRO ESTER 15 (Gattefosse) >10 Sucrose
monolaurate Saccharose monolaurate 15 1695 (Mitsubishi-Kasei)
[0105] In some embodiments, surfactants utilized in the
pharmaceutical compositions described herein include polyethylene
glycol alkyl phenols, e.g., hydrophilic PEG-alkyl phenol
surfactants. Illustrative and non-limiting examples of these
surfactants are shown in Table 14.
TABLE-US-00031 TABLE 14 Polyethylene Glycol Alkyl Phenol
Surfactants COMMERCIAL PRODUCT COMPOUND (Supplier) HLB PEG-10-100
Triton X series (Rohm & Haas), >10 nonyl phenol Igepal CA
series (GAF, USA), Antarox CA series (GAF, UK) PEG-15-100 Triton
N-series (Rohm & Haas), >10 octyl phenol Igepal CO series
(GAF, USA), ether Antarox CO series (GAF, UK)
[0106] In certain embodiments, surfactants utilized in
pharmaceutical compositions described herein include
polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers. POE-POP block
copolymers are a unique class of polymeric surfactants. The unique
structure of the surfactants, with hydrophilic POE and lipophilic
POP moieties in well-defined ratios and positions, provides a wide
variety of surfactants suitable for use in the present invention.
These surfactants are available under various trade names,
including Synperonic PE series (ICI); Pluronic.RTM. series (BASF),
Emkalyx, Lutrol (BASF), Supronic, Monolan, Pluracare, and Plurodac.
The generic term for these polymers is "poloxamer" (CAS 9003-11-6).
These polymers have the formula:
HO(C.sub.2H.sub.4O).sub.a(C.sub.3H.sub.6O).sub.b(C.sub.2H.sub.4O).sub.aH;
wherein the terms "a" and "b" denote the number of polyoxyethylene
and polyoxypropylene units, respectively.
[0107] Illustrative and non-limiting examples of suitable
surfactants of this class are shown in Table 15. Since the
compounds are widely available, commercial sources are not listed
in the Table. The compounds are listed by generic name, with the
corresponding "a" and "b" values.
TABLE-US-00032 TABLE 15 POE-POP Block Copolymers a, b values in
COMPOUND
HO(C.sub.2H.sub.4O).sub.a(C.sub.3H.sub.6O).sub.b(C.sub.2H.sub.4O-
).sub.aH HLB Poloxamer 105 a = 11; b = 16 8 Poloxamer 108 a = 46; b
= 16 >10 Poloxamer 122 a = 5; b = 21 3 Poloxamer 123 a = 7; b =
21 7 Poloxamer 124 a =11; b = 21 >7 Poloxamer 181 a = 3;b = 30
Poloxamer 182 a = 8; b = 30 2 Poloxamer 183 a =10; b = 30 Poloxamer
184 a = 13; b = 30 Poloxamer 185 a = 19; b = 30 Poloxamer 188 a =
75; b = 30 29 Poloxamer 212 a = 8; b = 35 Poloxamer 215 a = 24; b =
35 Poloxamer 217 a = 52; b = 35 Poloxamer 231 a = 16; b = 39
Poloxamer 234 a = 22; b = 39 Poloxamer 235 a = 27; b = 39 Poloxamer
237 a = 62; b = 39 24 Poloxamer 238 a = 97; b = 39 Poloxamer 282 a
= 10; b = 47 Poloxamer 284 a = 21; b = 47 Poloxamer 288 a = 122; b
= 47 >10 Poloxamer 331 a = 7; b = 54 0.5 Poloxamer 333 a = 20; b
= 54 Poloxamer 334 a = 31; b = 54 Poloxamer 335 a = 38; b = 54
Poloxamer 338 a = 128; b = 54 Poloxamer 401 a = 6; b = 67 Poloxamer
402 a = 13; b = 67 Poloxamer 403 a = 21; b = 67 Poloxamer 407 a =
98; b = 67
[0108] In some embodiments, surfactants utilized in pharmaceutical
compositions described herein include sorbitan esters of fatty
acids. Illustrative and non-limiting examples of such surfactants
are shown in Table 16.
TABLE-US-00033 TABLE 16 Sorbitan Fatty Acid Ester Surfactants
COMMERCIAL PRODUCT COMPOUND (Supplier) HLB Sorbitan monolaurate
Span-20 (Atlas/ICI), Crill 1 8.6 (Croda), Arlacel 20 (ICI) Sorbitan
monopalmitate Span-40 (Atlas/ICI), Crill 2 6.7 (Croda), Nikkol
SP-10 (Nikko) Sorbitan monooleate Span-80 (Atlas/ICI), Crill 4 4.3
(Croda), Crill 50 (Croda) Sorbitan monostearate Span-60
(Atlas/ICI), Crill 3 4.7 (Croda), Nikkol SS-10 (Nikko) Sorbitan
trioleate Span-85 (Atlas/ICI), Crill 45 4.3 (Croda), Nikkol SO-30
(Nikko) Sorbitan sesquioleate Arlacel-C (ICI), Crill 43 3.7
(Croda), Nikkol SO-15 (Nikko) Sorbitan tristearate Span-65
(Atlas/ICI) Crill 35 2.1 (Croda), Nikkol SS-30 (Nikko) Sorbitan
monoisostearate Crill 6 (Croda), Nikkol SI-10 4.7 (Nikko) Sorbitan
sesquistearate Nikkol SS-15 (Nikko) 4.2
[0109] In certain embodiments, surfactants utilized in
pharmaceutical compositions described herein include esters of
lower alcohols (C.sub.2 to C.sub.4) and fatty acids (C.sub.8 to
C.sub.18). Illustrative and non-limiting examples of these
surfactants are shown in Table 17.
TABLE-US-00034 TABLE 17 Lower Alcohol Fatty Acid Ester Surfactants
COMMERCIAL COMPOUND PRODUCT (Supplier) HLB Ethyl oleate Crodamol EO
(Croda), <10 Nikkol EOO (Nikko) Isopropyl myristate Crodamol IPM
(Croda) <10 Isopropyl palmitate Crodamol IPP (Croda) <10
Ethyl linoleate Nikkol VF-E (Nikko) <10 Isopropyl linoleate
Nikkol VF-IP (Nikko) <10
[0110] In some embodiments, hydrophilic surfactants utilized in
pharmaceutical compositions described herein include ionic
surfactants (e.g., cationic, anionic and zwitterionic surfactants).
In specific embodiments, anionic surfactants include fatty acid
salts and bile acid salts. In certain specific embodiments,
cationic surfactants include carnitines. In some specific
embodiments, ionic surfactants include, by way of non-limiting
example, sodium oleate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium lauryl
sarcosinate, sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate, sodium cholate, sodium
taurocholate; lauroyl carnitine; palmitoyl carnitine; and myristoyl
carnitine. Illustrative and non-limiting examples of such
surfactants are shown in Table 18. For simplicity, exemplary
counterions are shown in the entries in the Table. In various
embodiments, such counterions are optionally substituted with any
suitable counterion. For example, although the fatty acids are
shown as sodium salts, other cation counterions are optionally
used, such as alkali metal cations or ammonium. Unlike certain
non-ionic surfactants, these ionic surfactants are generally
available as pure compounds, rather than commercial (proprietary)
mixtures. Because these compounds are readily available from a
variety of commercial suppliers, such as Aldrich, Sigma, and the
like, commercial sources are not generally listed in the Table.
TABLE-US-00035 TABLE 18 Ionic Surfactants COMPOUND HLB FATTY ACID
SALTS >10 Sodium caproate Sodium caprylate Sodium caprate Sodium
laurate Sodium myristate Sodium myristolate Sodium palmitate Sodium
palmitoleate Sodium oleate 18 Sodium ricinoleate Sodium linoleate
Sodium linolenate Sodium stearate Sodium lauryl sulfate (dodecyl)
40 Sodium tetradecyl sulfate Sodium lauryl sarcosinate Sodium
dioctyl sulfosuccinate [sodium docusate (Cytec)] BILE SALTS >10
Sodium cholate Sodium taurocholate Sodium glycocholate Sodium
deoxycholate Sodium taurodeoxycholate Sodium glycodeoxycholate
Sodium ursodeoxycholate Sodium chenodeoxycholate Sodium
taurochenodeoxycholate Sodium glyco cheno deoxycholate Sodium
cholylsarcosinate Sodium N-methyl taurocholate Sodium lithocholate
PHOSPHOLIPIDS Egg/Soy lecithin [Epikuron .TM. (Lucas Meyer),
Ovothin .TM. (Lucas Meyer)] Lyso egg/soy lecithin Hydroxylated
lecithin Lysophosphatidylcholine Cardiolipin Sphingomyelin
Phosphatidylcholine Phosphatidyl ethanolamine Phosphatidic acid
Phosphatidyl glycerol Phosphatidyl serine PHOSPHORIC ACID ESTERS
Diethanolammonium polyoxyethylene-10 oleyl ether phosphate
Esterification products of fatty alcohols or fatty alcohol
ethoxylates with phosphoric acid or anhydride CARBOXYLATES Ether
carboxylates (by oxidation of terminal OH group of fatty alcohol
ethoxylates) Succinylated monoglycerides [LAMEGIN ZE (Henkel)]
Sodium stearyl fumarate Stearoyl propylene glycol hydrogen
succinate Mono/diacetylated tartaric acid esters of mono- and
diglycerides Citric acid esters of mono-, diglycerides
Glyceryl-lacto esters of fatty acids (CFR ref. 172.852) Acyl
lactylates: lactylic esters of fatty acids calcium/sodium
stearoyl-2-lactylate calcium/sodium stearoyl lactylate Alginate
salts Propylene glycol alginate SULFATES AND SULFONATES Ethoxylated
alkyl sulfates Alkyl benzene sulfones .alpha.-olefin sulfonates
Acyl isethionates Acyl taurates Alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates
Octyl sulfosuccinate disodium Disodium
undecylenamideo-MEA-sulfosuccinate CATIONIC Surfactants >10
Lauroyl carnitine Palmitoyl carnitine Myristoyl carnitine Hexadecyl
triammonium bromide Decyl trimethyl ammonium bromide Cetyl
trimethyl ammonium bromide Dodecyl ammonium chloride Alkyl
benzyldimethylammonium salts Diisobutyl phenoxyethoxydimethyl
benzylammonium salts Alkylpyridinium salts Betaines
(trialkylglycine): Lauryl betaine (N-lauryl,N,N-dimethylglycine)
Ethoxylated amines: Polyoxyethylene-15 coconut amine
[0111] In some embodiments, surfactants utilized in pharmaceutical
compositions described herein include ionizable surfactants. In
certain embodiments, ionizable surfactants, when present in their
unionized (neutral, non-salt) form, are lipophilic surfactants
suitable for use in the compositions of the present invention.
Particular examples of such surfactants include free fatty acids,
particularly C.sub.6-C.sub.22 fatty acids, and bile acids. More
specifically, suitable unionized ionizable surfactants include the
free fatty acid and bile acid forms of any of the fatty acid salts
and bile salts shown in Table 18.
[0112] In some instances, derivatives of oil-soluble vitamins, such
as vitamins A, D, E, K, etc., are also useful surfactants for use
in the pharmaceutical compositions described herein. An example of
such a derivative is tocopheryl PEG-1000 succinate (TPGS, available
from Eastman).
[0113] In specific embodiments, surfactants or mixtures of
surfactants that solidify (e.g., form a solid, a semi-solid, a gel,
a jelly, a paste, or the like) at ambient room temperature are
utilized in the pharmaceutical compositions described herein. In
certain specific embodiments, surfactants or mixtures of
surfactants utilized in the pharmaceutical compositions described
herein solidify (e.g., form a solid, a semi-solid, a gel, a jelly,
a paste, or the like) at ambient room temperature when combined
with additional agents (e.g., particular lipophilic components,
such as triglycerides, vitamins (e.g., Vitamin E), or the like,
viscosity modifiers, stabilizers, solidifying agents, binders,
thickeners, or the like). Such additional agents are optionally
utilized in the pharmaceutical compositions described herein. In
certain embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions described herein
comprise a hydrophilic carrier (e.g., a hydrophilic surfactant), a
lipophilic carrier, and/or a viscosity modifier or solidifying
agent.
[0114] In some specific embodiments, non-ionic hydrophilic
surfactants include alkylglucosides; alkylmaltosides;
alkylthioglucosides; lauryl macrogolglycerides; polyoxyethylene
alkyl ethers; polyoxyethylene alkylphenols; polyethylene glycol
fatty acids esters; polyethylene glycol glycerol fatty acid esters;
polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters;
polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers; polyglycerol
fatty acid esters; polyoxyethylene glycerides; polyoxyethylene
sterols, derivatives, and analogues thereof; polyoxyethylene
vegetable oils; polyoxyethylene hydrogenated vegetable oils;
reaction mixtures of polyols with fatty acids, glycerides,
vegetable oils, hydrogenated vegetable oils, and sterols; sugar
esters, sugar ethers; sucroglycerides; polyethoxylated fat-soluble
vitamins or derivatives; and mixtures thereof.
[0115] In certain specific embodiments, the non-ionic hydrophilic
surfactant is selected from, by way of non-limiting example,
polyoxyethylene alkylethers; polyethylene glycol fatty acids
esters; polyethylene glycol glycerol fatty acid esters;
polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters;
polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers; polyglyceryl
fatty acid esters; polyoxyethylene glycerides; polyoxyethylene
vegetable oils; and polyoxyethylene hydrogenated vegetable oils. In
various embodiments, the glyceride is a monoglyceride, diglyceride,
triglyceride, or a mixture thereof.
[0116] In some specific embodiments, non-ionic hydrophilic
surfactants are the products of reaction mixtures of polyols and
fatty acids, glycerides, vegetable oils, hydrogenated vegetable
oils or sterols. These reaction mixtures are largely composed of
the transesterification products of the reaction, along with often
complex mixtures of other reaction products. In more specific
embodiments, the polyol is glycerol, ethylene glycol, polyethylene
glycol, sorbitol, propylene glycol, pentaerythritol, or a
saccharide.
[0117] In certain specific embodiments, the hydrophilic surfactant
is or includes an ionic surfactant. Specific ionic surfactants
include alkyl ammonium salts; bile acids and salts, analogues, and
derivatives thereof; fusidic acid and derivatives thereof; fatty
acid derivatives of amino acids, oligopeptides, and polypeptides;
glyceride derivatives of amino acids, oligopeptides, and
polypeptides; acyl lactylates; mono-,diacetylated tartaric acid
esters of mono-,diglycerides; succinylated monoglycerides; citric
acid esters of mono-,diglycerides; alginate salts; propylene glycol
alginate; lecithins and hydrogenated lecithins; lysolecithin and
hydrogenated lysolecithins; lysophospholipids and derivatives
thereof; phospholipids and derivatives thereof; salts of
alkylsulfates; salts of fatty acids; sodium docusate; carnitines;
and mixtures thereof.
[0118] In some specific embodiments, ionic surfactants include bile
acids and salts, analogues, and derivatives thereof; lecithins,
lysolecithin, phospholipids, lysophospholipids and derivatives
thereof; salts of alkylsulfates; salts of fatty acids; sodium
docusate; acyl lactylates; mono-,diacetylated tartaric acid esters
of mono-,diglycerides; succinylated monoglycerides; citric acid
esters of mono-diglycerides; carnitines; and mixtures thereof. In
more specific embodiments, ionic surfactants include, by way of
non-limiting example, lecithin, lysolecithin, phosphatidylcholine,
phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidic acid,
phosphatidylserine, lysophosphatidylcholine,
lysophosphatidylethanolamine, lysophosphatidylglycerol,
lysophosphatidic acid, lysophosphatidylserine,
PEG-phosphatidylethanolamine, PVP-phosphatidylethanolamine,
lactylic esters of fatty acids, stearoyl-2-lactylate, stearoyl
lactylate, succinylated monoglycerides, mono/diacetylated tartaric
acid esters of mono/diglycerides, citric acid esters of
mono/diglycerides, cholate, taurocholate, glycocholate,
deoxycholate, taurodeoxycholate, chenodeoxycholate,
glycodeoxycholate, glycochenodeoxycholate, taurochenodeoxycholate,
ursodeoxycholate, tauroursodeoxycholate, glycoursodeoxycholate,
cholylsarcosine, N-methyl taurocholate, caproate, caprylate,
caprate, laurate, myristate, palmitate, oleate, ricinoleate,
linoleate, linolenate, stearate, lauryl sulfate, teracecyl sulfate,
docusate, lauroyl carnitines, palmitoyl carnitines, myristoyl
carnitines, and salts and mixtures thereof. In more specific
embodiments, ionic surfactants are selected from lecithin,
lysolecithin, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine,
phosphatidylglycerol, lysophosphatidylcholine,
PEG-phosphatidylethanolamine, lactylic esters of fatty acids,
stearoyl-2-lactylate, stearoyl lactylate, succinylated
monoglycerides, mono/diacetylated tartaric acid esters of
mono/diglycerides, citric acid esters of mono/diglycerides,
cholate, taurocholate, glycocholate, deoxycholate,
taurodeoxycholate, glycodeoxycholate, cholylsarcosine, caproate,
caprylate, caprate, laurate, oleate, lauryl sulfate, docusate, and
salts and mixtures thereof, with the most preferred ionic
surfactants being lecithin, lactylic esters of fatty acids,
stearoyl-2-lactylate, stearoyl lactylate, succinylated
monoglycerides, mono/diacetylated tartaric acid esters of
mono/diglycerides, citric acid esters of mono/diglycerides,
taurocholate, caprylate, caprate, oleate, lauryl sulfate, docusate,
and salts and mixtures thereof.
[0119] In various embodiments, lipophilic surfactants are selected
from, by way of non-limiting example, alcohols; polyoxyethylene
alkylethers; fatty acids; glycerol fatty acid esters; acetylated
glycerol fatty acid esters; lower alcohol fatty acids esters;
polyethylene glycol fatty acids esters; polyethylene glycol
glycerol fatty acid esters; polypropylene glycol fatty acid esters;
polyoxyethylene glycerides; lactic acid derivatives of
mono/diglycerides; propylene glycol diglycerides; sothitan fatty
acid esters; polyoxyethylene sothitan fatty acid esters;
polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers; transesterified
vegetable oils; sterols; sterol derivatives; sugar esters; sugar
ethers; sucroglycerides; polyoxyethylene vegetable oils; and
polyoxyethylene hydrogenated vegetable oils. As with the
hydrophilic surfactants, lipophilic surfactants are optionally the
products of reaction mixtures of polyols and fatty acids,
glycerides, vegetable oils, hydrogenated vegetable oils, and
sterols. In specific embodiments, lipophilic surfactants are
selected from fatty acids; lower alcohol fatty acid esters;
polyethylene glycol glycerol fatty acid esters; polypropylene
glycol fatty acid esters; polyoxyethylene glycerides; glycerol
fatty acid esters; acetylated glycerol fatty acid esters; lactic
acid derivatives of mono/diglycerides; sorbitan fatty acid esters;
polyoxyethylene sothitan fatty acid esters;
polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers; polyoxyethylene
vegetable oils; polyoxyethylene hydrogenated vegetable oils; and
reaction mixtures of polyols and fatty acids, glycerides, vegetable
oils, hydrogenated vegetable oils, and sterols. In certain specific
embodiments, lipophilic surfactants are selected from lower alcohol
fatty acids esters; polypropylene glycol fatty acid esters;
propylene glycol fatty acid esters; glycerol fatty acid esters;
acetylated glycerol fatty acid esters; lactic acid derivatives of
mono/diglycerides; sothitan fatty acid esters; polyoxyethylene
vegetable oils; and mixtures thereof, with glycerol fatty acid
esters and acetylated glycerol fatty acid esters being most
preferred. Among the glycerol fatty acid esters, the esters are,
e.g., mono- or diglycerides, or mixtures of mono- and diglycerides,
where the fatty acid moiety is a C.sub.6 to C.sub.22 fatty acid. In
some specific embodiments, lipophilic surfactants are selected from
the products of reaction mixture of polyols and fatty acids,
glycerides, vegetable oils, hydrogenated vegetable oils, and
sterols. In more specific embodiments, polyols are polyethylene
glycol, sorbitol, propylene glycol, and pentaerythritol.
[0120] In certain embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions
described herein include a lipophilic component or carrier. In some
embodiments, the lipophilic carrier is selected from lipophilic
surfactants, triglycerides, and Vitamin E compounds (e.g.,
d,l-.alpha.-tocopherol). In specific embodiments, triglycerides
utilized in the pharmaceutical compositions described herein are
those that solidify (e.g., form a solid, a semi-solid, a gel, a
jelly, a paste, or the like) at ambient room temperature, with or
without addition of appropriate additives, or those which in
combination with particular surfactants and/or active ingredients
solidify at room temperature. Illustrative and non-limiting
examples of triglycerides suitable for use in the pharmaceutical
compositions described herein are shown in Table 19. In general,
these triglycerides are readily available from commercial sources.
For several triglycerides, representative commercial products
and/or commercial suppliers are listed.
TABLE-US-00036 TABLE 19 Triglycerides Triglyceride Commercial
Source Aceituno oil Almond oil Super Refined Almond Oil (Croda)
Araehis oil Babassu oil Beeswax Blackcurrant seed oil Borage oil
Buffalo ground oil Candlenut oil Canola oil Lipex 108 (Abitec)
Castor oil Chinese vegetable tallow oil Cocoa butter Coconut oil
Pureco 76 (Abitec) Coffee seed oil Corn oil Super Refined Com Oil
(Croda) Cottonseed oil Super Refined Cottonseed Oil (Croda) Crambe
oil Cuphea species oil Evening primrose oil Grapeseed oil Groundnut
oil Hemp seed oil Illipe butter Kapok seed oil Linseed oil Menhaden
oil Super Refined Menhaden Oil (Croda) Mowrah butter Mustard seed
oil Oiticica oil Olive oil Super Refined Olive Oil (Croda) Palm oil
Palm kernel oil Peanut oil Super Refined Peanut Oil (Croda) Poppy
seed oil Rapeseed oil Rice bran oil Safflower oil Super Refined
Safflower Oil (Croda) Sal fat Sesame oil Super Refined Sesame Oil
(Croda) Shark liver oil Super Refined Shark Liver Oil (Croda) Shea
nut oil Soybean oil Super Refined Soybean Oil (Croda) Stillingia
oil Sunflower oil Tall oil Tea seed oil Tobacco seed oil Tung oil
(China wood oil) Ucuhuba Vernonia oil Wheat germ oil Super Refined
Wheat Germ Oil (Croda) Hydrogenated castor oil Castorwax
Hydrogenated coconut oil Pureco 100 (Abitec) Hydrogenated
cottonseed oil Dritex C (Abitec) Hydrogenated palm oil Dritex PST
(Abitec); Softisan 154 (Huls) Hydrogenated soybean oil Sterotex HM
NF (Abitec); Dritex S (Abitec) Hydrogenated vegetable oil Sterotex
NF (Abitec); Hydrokote M (Abitec) Hydrogenated cottonseed and
Sterotex K (Abitec) castor oil Partially hydrogenated soybean
Hydrokote AP5 (Abitec) oil Partially hydrogenated soy and Apex B
(Abitec) cottonseed oil Glyceryl mono-, di-, tri-behenate Compritol
888 Glycerol tributyrate (Sigma) Glyceryl tricaproate (Sigma)
Glyceryl tricaprylate (Sigma) Glyceryl tricaprate Captex 1000
(Abitec) Glyceryl triundecanoate Captex 8227 (Abitec) Glyceryl
trilaurate (Sigma) Glyceryl trimyristate Dynasan 114 (Huls)
Glyceryl tripalmitate Dynasan 116 (Huls) Glyceryl tristearate
Dynasan 118 (Huls) Glyceryl triarchidate (Sigma) Glyceryl
trimyristoleate (Sigma) Glyceryl tripalmitoleate (Sigma) Glyceryl
trioleate (Sigma) Glyceryl trilinoleate (Sigma) Giyceryl
trilinolenate (Sigma) Glyceryl tricaprylate/caprate Captex 300
(Abitec); Captex 355 (Abitec); Miglyol 810 (Huls); Miglyol 812
(Huls) Glyceryl tricaprylate/caprate/ Captex 350 (Abitec) laurate
Glyceryl tricaplylate/caprate/ Captex 810 (Abitec); linoleate
Miglyol 818 (Huls) Glyceryl tricaprylate/caprate/ Softisan 378
(Hills); (Larodan) stearate Glyceryl tricaplylate/laurate/
(Larodan) stearate Glyceryl 1,2-caprylate-3-linoleate (Larodan)
Glyceryl 1,2-caprate-3-stearate (Larodan) Glyceryl
1,2-laurate-3-myristate (Larodan) Glyceryl 1,2-myristate-3-laurate
(Larodan) Glyceryl 1,3-palmitate-2-butyrate (Larodan) Glyceryl
1,3-stearate-2-caprate (Larodan) Glyceryl 1,2-linoleate-3-caprylate
(Larodan)
[0121] In certain embodiments, the triglycerides utilized in the
pharmaceutical compositions described herein include fractionated
triglycerides, modified triglycerides, synthetic triglycerides, and
mixtures of triglycerides are also within the scope of the
invention. In specific embodiments, triglycerides include, by way
of non-limiting example, vegetable oils, fish oils, animal fats,
hydrogenated vegetable oils, partially hydrogenated vegetable oils,
medium and long-chain triglycerides, and structured triglycerides.
It should be appreciated that several commercial surfactant
compositions contain small to moderate amounts of triglycerides,
typically as a result of incomplete reaction of a triglyceride
starting material in, for example, a transesterification reaction.
Such commercial surfactant compositions, while nominally referred
to as "surfactants", may be suitable to provide all or part of the
triglyceride component for the compositions of the present
invention. Examples of commercial surfactant compositions
containing triglycerides include some members of the surfactant
families Gelucires (Gattefosse), Maisines (Gattefosse), and
Imwitors (Huls). Specific examples of these compositions are:
Gelucire 44/14 (saturated polyglycolized glycerides); Gelucire
50/13 (saturated polyglycolized glycerides); Gelucire 53/10
(saturated polyglycolized glycerides); Gelucire 33/01
(semi-synthetic triglycerides of C.sub.8-C.sub.18 saturated fatty
acids); Gelucire 39/01 (semi-synthetic glycerides); other
Gelucires, such as 37/06, 43/01, 35/10, 37/02, 46/07, 48/09, 50/02,
62/05, or the like; Maisine 35-I (linoleic glycerides); and Imwitor
742 (capiylic/capric glycerides).
Additional Agents
[0122] The pharmaceutical compositions described herein optionally
include one or more additional agents or additives. In certain
instances, suitable additives include those that facilitate
formulating a pharmaceutical composition described herein as an
oral dosage form and include, e.g., coatings and capsule
components. Further additives include, by way of non-limiting
example, solubilizers, enzyme inhibitors, anti-foaming agents,
antioxidants, binders, buffering agents, chelating agents,
diluents, disintegrants, flavoring agents, preservatives,
sweeteners, thickeners, or the like.
[0123] In some embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions provided
herein optionally include one or more solubilizers, i.e., additives
to increase the solubility of the pharmaceutical active ingredient
or other composition components in the solid carrier. Suitable
solubilizers for use in the compositions of the present invention
include: alcohols, polyols, ethers of polyethylene glycols, amides,
esters or the like. Alcohols and polyols include, by way of
non-limiting example, ethanol, isopropanol, butanol, benzyl
alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butanediols and isomers
thereof, glycerol, pentaerythritol, sorbitol, mannitol, transcutol,
dimethyl isosorbide, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol,
polyvinylalcohol, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and other cellulose
derivatives, cyclodextrins and cyclodextrin derivatives. Ethers of
polyethylene glycols include those having an average molecular
weight of about 200 to about 6000, such as, by way of non-limiting
example, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol PEG ether (glycofurol,
available commercially from BASF under the trade name Tetraglycol)
and methoxy PEG (Union Carbide). Amides include, by way of
non-limiting example, 2-pyrrolidone, 2-piperidone,
.epsilon.-caprolactam, N-alkylpyrrolidone,
N-hydroxyalkylpyrrolidone, N-alkylpiperidone, N-alkylcaprolactam,
dimethylacetamide, and polyvinylpyrrolidone. Esters include, by way
of non-limiting example, ethyl propionate, tributylcitrate, acetyl
triethylcitrate, acetyl tributyl citrate, triethylcitrate, ethyl
oleate, ethyl caprylate, ethyl butyrate, triacetin, propylene
glycol monoacetate, propylene glycol diacetate,
.epsilon.-caprolactone and isomers thereof, .delta.-valerolactone
and isomers thereof, .beta.-butyrolactone and isomers thereof.
Other solubilizers include, by way of non-limiting example,
dimethyl acetamide, dimethyl isosorbide (Arlasolve DMI (ICI)),
N-methyl pyrrolidones (Pharmasolve (ISP)), monooctanoin, diethylene
glycol monoethyl ether (available from Gattefosse under the trade
name Transcutol), and water. Mixtures of solubilizers are also
within the scope of the present disclosure. Except as indicated,
these compounds are readily available from standard commercial
sources. In specific embodiments, solubilizers include, by way of
non-limiting example, triacetin, triethylcitrate, ethyl oleate,
ethyl caprylate, dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone,
N-hydroxyethylpyrrolidone, polyvinylpyrrolidone, hydroxypropyl
methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cyclodextrins, ethanol, polyethylene
glycol 200-600, glycofurol, transcutol, propylene glycol, and
dimethyl isosorbide. In certain specific embodiments, solubilizers
include sorbitol, glycerol, triacetin, ethyl alcohol, PEG-400,
glycofurol and propylene glycol. The amount of solubilizer included
in the pharmaceutical compositions described herein is any suitable
amount.
[0124] Anti-adherents (anti-sticking agents, glidants, flow
promoters, lubricants) include, by way of non-limiting example,
talc, magnesium stearate, fumed silica (Carbosil, Aerosil),
micronized silica (Syloid No. FP 244, Grace U.S.A.), polyethylene
glycols, surfactants, waxes, stearic acid, stearic acid salts,
stearic acid derivatives, starch, hydrogenated vegetable oils,
sodium benzoate, sodium acetate, leucine, PEG-4000 and magnesium
lauryl sulfate. Antioxidants include, by way of non-limiting
example, BHT, BHA, gallic acid, propyl gallate, ascorbic acid,
ascorbyl palmitate, 4-hydroxymethyl-2,6-di-tert-butyl phenol, and
tocopherol. Binders (adhesives), i.e., agents that impart cohesive
properties to powdered materials through particle-particle bonding,
include, by way of non-limiting example, matrix binders (dry
starch, dry sugars), film binders (PVP, starch paste, celluloses,
bentonite, sucrose), and chemical binders (polymeric cellulose
derivatives, such as carboxy methyl cellulose, HPC and HPMC; sugar
syrups; corn syrup; water soluble polysaccharides such as acacia,
tragacanth, guar and alginates; gelatin; gelatin hydrolysate; agar;
sucrose; dextrose; and non-cellulosic binders, such as PVP, PEG,
vinyl pyrrolidone copolymers, pregelatinized starch, sorbitol, and
glucose). Buffering agents, include an acid and a base, wherein the
acid is a pharmaceutically acceptable acid, such as hydrochloric
acid, hydrobromic acid, hydriodic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid,
boric acid, phosphoric acid, acetic acid, acrylic acid, adipic
acid, alginic acid, alkanesulfonic acid, amino acids, ascorbic
acid, benzoic acid, boric acid, butyric acid, carbonic acid, citric
acid, fatty acids, formic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid,
hydroquinosulfonic acid, isoascorbic acid, lactic acid, maleic
acid, methanesulfonic acid, oxalic acid, para-bromophenylsulfonic
acid, propionic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, salicylic acid,
stearic acid, succinic acid, tannic acid, tartaric acid,
thioglycolic acid, toluenesulfonic acid and uric acid, and the base
is a pharmaceutically acceptable base, such as an amino acid, an
amino acid ester, ammonium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium
hydroxide, sodium hydrogen carbonate, aluminum hydroxide, calcium
carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium aluminum silicate,
synthetic aluminum silicate, synthetic hydrotalcite, magnesium
aluminum hydroxide, diisopropylethylamine, ethanolamine,
ethylenediamine, triethanolamine, triethylamine,
triisopropanolamine, or a salt of a pharmaceutically acceptable
cation and acetic acid, acrylic acid, adipic acid, alginic acid,
alkanesulfonic acid, an amino acid, ascorbic acid, benzoic acid,
boric acid, butyric acid, carbonic acid, citric acid, a fatty acid,
formic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, hydroquinosulfonic acid,
isoascorbic acid, lactic acid, maleic acid, methanesulfonic acid,
oxalic acid, para-bromophenylsulfonic acid, propionic acid,
p-toluenesulfonic acid, salicylic acid, stearic acid, succinic
acid, tannic acid, tartaric acid, thioglycolic acid,
toluenesulfonic acid, and uric acid. Chelating agents include, by
way of non-limiting example, EDTA and EDTA salts. Colorants or
opaquants include, by way of non-limiting example, titanium
dioxide, food dyes, lakes, natural vegetable colorants, iron
oxides, silicates, sulfates, magnesium hydroxide and aluminum
hydroxide. Diluents or fillers include, by way of non-limiting
example, lactose, mannitol, talc, magnesium stearate, sodium
chloride, potassium chloride, citric acid, spray-dried lactose,
hydrolyzed starches, directly compressible starch, microcrystalline
cellulose, cellulosics, sorbitol, sucrose, sucrose-based materials,
calcium sulfate, dibasic calcium phosphate and dextrose.
Disintegrants and super disintegrants include, by way of
non-limiting example, croscarmellose sodium, starch, starch
derivatives, clays, gums, cellulose, cellulose derivatives,
alginates, crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone, sodium starch
glycolate and microcrystalline cellulose. Flavorants or
desensitizers include, by way of non-limiting example, spray-dried
flavors, essential oils and ethyl vanillin Plasticizers include, by
way of non-limiting example, polyethylene glycol, citrate esters
(e.g., triethyl citrate, acetyl triethyl citrate, acetyltributyl
citrate), acetylated monoglycerides, glycerin, triacetin, propylene
glycol, phthalate esters (e.g., diethyl phthalate, dibutyl
phthalate), castor oil, sorbitol and dibutyl seccate. Preservatives
include, by way of non-limiting example, ascorbic acid, boric acid,
sorbic acid, benzoic acid, and salts thereof, parabens, phenols,
benzyl alcohol, and quaternary ammonium compounds. Solvents
include, by way of non-limiting example, alcohols, ketones, esters,
chlorinated hydrocarbons and water. Sweeteners include, by way of
non-limiting example, natural sweeteners such as maltose, sucrose,
glucose, sorbitol, glycerin and dextrins, and artificial
sweeteners, such as aspartame, saccharine and saccharine salts.
Thickeners (viscosity modifiers, thickening agents) include, by way
of non-limiting example, sugars, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulosics,
polymers, high molecular weight polyethylene glycols (e.g., PEG
8000), and alginates. Additives also include, by way of
non-limiting example, proteins (e.g., collagen, gelatin, Zein,
gluten, mussel protein, lipoprotein); carbohydrates (e.g.,
alginates, carrageenan, cellulose derivatives, pectin, starch,
chitosan); gums (e.g., xanthan gum, gum arabic); spermaceti;
natural or synthetic waxes; carnuaba wax; fatty acids (e.g.,
stearic acid, hydroxystearic acid); fatty alcohols; sugars;
shellacs, such as those based on sugars (e.g., lactose, sucrose,
dextrose) or starches; polysaccharide-based shellacs (e.g.,
maltodextrin and maltodextrin derivatives, dextrates, cyclodextrin
and cyclodextrin derivatives); cellulosic-based shellacs (e.g.,
microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose,
hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl
cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate
butyrate, cellulose acetate trimellitate, carboxymethylethyl
cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose phthalate); inorganics,
such as dicalcium phosphate, hydroxyapitite, tricalcium phosphate,
talc and titania; polyols, such as mannitol, xylitol and sorbitol;
polyethylene glycol esters; and polymers, such as alginates,
poly(lactide coglycolide), gelatin, crosslinked gelatin, and
agar-agar.
[0125] It should be appreciated that there is considerable overlap
between the above-listed additives in common usage, since a given
additive is often classified differently by different practitioners
in the field, or is commonly used for any of several different
functions. Thus, the above-listed additives should be taken as
merely exemplary, and not limiting, of the types of additives that
can be included in compositions of the present invention. The
amounts of such additives can be readily determined by one skilled
in the art, according to the particular properties desired.
Dosage Forms
[0126] In various embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions
described herein are formulated as oral dosage forms. Oral dosage
forms are prepared by any suitable process including one or more
steps of, by way of non-limiting example, agglomeration, air
suspension chilling, air suspension drying, balling, coacervation,
comminution, compression, pelletization, cryopelletization,
encapsulation, extrusion, granulation, homogenization, inclusion
complexation, lyophilization, nanoencapsulation, melting, mixing,
molding, pan coating, solvent dehydration, sonication,
spheronization, spray chilling, spray congealing, spray drying, or
the like.
[0127] In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition described
herein is formulated with a substrate to form an oral dosage form.
In various embodiments, substrates useful for formulating
pharmaceutical compositions described herein as oral dosage forms
include or comprise, by way of non-limiting example, a powder or a
multiparticulate (e.g., one or more granule, one or more pellet,
one or more bead, one or more spherule, one or more beadlet, one or
more microcapsule, one or more millisphere, one or more mini
capsule, one or more microcapsule, one or more nanocapsule, one or
more nanosphere, one or more microsphere, one or more minitablet,
one or more tablet, one or more capsule, or one or more
combinations thereof). In certain instances, a powder constitutes a
finely divided (milled, micronized, nanosized, precipitated) form
of an active ingredient or additive molecular aggregates or a
compound aggregate of multiple components or a physical mixture of
aggregates of an active ingredient and/or additives.
[0128] Substrates are prepared from any suitable material
including, by way of non-limiting example, sugars, such as lactose,
sucrose or dextrose; polysaccharides, such as maltodextrin or
dextrates; starches; cellulosics, such as microcrystalline
cellulose or microcrystalline cellulose/sodium carboxymethyl
cellulose; inorganics, such as dicalcium phosphate, hydroxyapitite,
tricalcium phosphate, talc, or titania; and polyols, such as
mannitol, xylitol, sorbitol or cyclodextrin. Furthermore, the
substrate is optionally composed of active ingredients,
surfactants, triglycerides or additives described herein. In one
particular embodiment, the substrate is a solid form of an
additive, an active ingredient, a surfactant, or a triglyceride; a
complex of an additive, surfactant or triglyceride and an active
ingredient; a coprecipitate of an additive, surfactant or
triglyceride and an active ingredient, or a mixture thereof.
[0129] In various embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions and
substrates described herein provide or are formulated to provide an
oral dosage from selected from, by way of non-limiting example, a
minicapsule, a capsule, a tablet, an implant, a troche, a lozenge
(minitablet), a temporary or permanent suspension, a wafer, a
chewable tablet, a quick or fast dissolving tablet, an effervescent
tablet, a buccal or sublingual solid, a granule, a film, a
sprinkle, a pellet, a bead, a pill, a powder, a triturate, a strip
or a sachet.
[0130] In specific embodiments, the oral dosage form described
herein is a capsule. Suitable capsule forms include, by way of
non-limiting example, hard or soft gelatin capsules, starch
capsules, and cellulosic capsules. In more specific embodiments,
oral dosage forms described herein are in the form of hard or soft
gelatin capsules. In some embodiments, the oral dosage form is a
capsule comprising a jelly, solid, semi-solid, glassy or paste-like
composition, wherein the testosterone alkyl ester is formulated
into the composition.
[0131] In specific embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition
described herein is formulated as an oral dosage form by (i)
heating a pharmaceutical compositions described herein until
pharmaceutical composition has an ability to flow (e.g., it is a
homogeneous solution, an emulsion, a slurry or the like); and (ii)
depositing the pharmaceutical composition with an ability to flow
on a substrate. In more specific embodiments, the pharmaceutical
composition that has an ability to flow is a homogeneous solution.
In further or alternative embodiments, the substrate is one or more
capsule, one or more microcapsule, or one or more nanocapsule. In
more specific embodiments, the substrate is a hard gelatin capsule
or a soft gelatin capsule. In still more specific embodiments, the
substrate is a hard gelatin capsule.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
[0132] In certain instances, oral dosage forms are prepared in the
following manner:
[0133] Step 1: transfer the selected amounts of carriers and
additives into a clean container and heat the combination until a
molten solution is obtained;
[0134] Step 2: transfer the selected amount of steroidal compound
(e.g., testosterone undecanoate) to the molten solution obtained in
Step 1 and homogonize;
[0135] Step 3: maintain the mixture of Step 2 at an elevated
temperature until used in Step 4; and
[0136] Step 4: encapsulation of the mixture of Step 3 (e.g., in a
hard gelatin capsule).
[0137] Using the preceding process, the following capsules are
prepared:
TABLE-US-00037 TABLE 20 Capsule 1 Component % w/w Testosterone
undecanoate 15 Polyoxyl 40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, NF 16 Glyceryl
Monolinoleate, NF (Maisine 35-1) 63 Polyethylene Glycol 8000, USP 6
Total 100
TABLE-US-00038 TABLE 21 Capsule 2 Component % w/w Testosterone
undecanoate 25 Polyoxyl 35 Castor Oil, NF 21 Vitamin E, USP
(d,l-.alpha.-tocopherol) 48 Polyethylene Glycol 8000, USP 6 Total
100
TABLE-US-00039 TABLE 22 Capsule 3 Component % w/w Testosterone
undecanoate 22 Vitamin E Polyethylene Glycol Succinate, NF 22
Vitamin E, USP (d,l-tocopherol) 34 Polyethylene Glycol 8000, USP 4
Hypromellose (100 cP, K100 Premium LV) 18 Total 100
TABLE-US-00040 TABLE 23 Capsule 4 Component % w/w Testosterone
undecanoate 22 Vitamin E Polyethylene Glycol Succinate, NF 22
Vitamin E, USP (d,l-tocopherol) 34 Polyethylene Glycol 8000, USP 4
Hypromellose (4,000 cP, K4M) 18 Total 100
Example 2
[0138] Capsules 1-4 are subjected to USP Type-II (paddle) apparatus
conditions at 37.+-.0.5.degree. C., at 100 rpm (i.e., deposited in
1 L of DI water having 8% w/v of Triton X-100). FIG. 1 illustrates
the release profiles of Capsules 1-4.
Example 3
[0139] Clinical Trial Protocol
[0140] Study Population: Healthy volunteers (N=24) with a BMI of
18-30 kg/m.sup.2 and having a pre-trial screening total T
concentration of less than 1.3 ng/mL (4.5 nmol/L). Healthy
volunteers include post-menopausal women aged 45 or greater.
[0141] Study Design: Phase-I, single center, randomized,
open-label, study of Capsules 1-4 and 3.times. an immediate release
oral dosage form comprising 40 mg of testosterone undecanoate (so
as to provide the same 120 mg dose as Capsules 1-4) formulated in a
mixture of castor oil and propylene glycol laurate available under
the tradename Andriol.RTM..
[0142] Mode of administration: Orally with 240 mL of water about 30
minutes after starting a standardized, high fat, high calorie
breakfast preceded by a 10 hour fast. Duration between treatments:
minimum of 7 days between the start of each treatment period.
[0143] FIG. 2 illustrates the mean plasma testosterone
concentrations following administration of Capsules 1-4 and
3.times. a 40 mg immediate release oral dosage form (for a total of
a 120 mg immediate release dose). FIG. 3 illustrates the mean
plasma testosterone undecanoate concentrations following
administration of Capsules 1-4 and 3.times. a 40 mg immediate
release oral dosage form (for a total of a 120 mg immediate release
dose). FIG. 4 illustrates the mean plasma dihydrotestosterone
concentrations following administration of Capsules 1-4 and
3.times. a 40 mg immediate release oral dosage form (for a total of
a 120 mg immediate release dose).
[0144] Tables 24-26 illustrate the concentration levels of single
administration and simulated steady state levels of testosterone,
testosterone undecanoate, and dihydrotestosterone obtained.
TABLE-US-00041 TABLE 24 Mean Plasma Testosterone Levels Capsule 1
Capsule 2 Capsule 3 Capsule 4 IR Mean C.sub.max (ng/mL) 18.2 13.6
7.5 8.8 19.7 single dose Mean C.sub.max (ng/mL) 17.0 13.1 6.7 8.6
15.7 steady state Mean C.sub.min (ng/mL) 0.35 2.3 1.0 1.4 3.4
steady state
TABLE-US-00042 TABLE 25 Mean Plasma Testosterone Undecanoate Levels
Capsule 1 Capsule 2 Capsule 3 Capsule 4 IR Mean C.sub.max (ng/mL)
384.8 264.0 126.9 156.1 407.8 single dose Mean C.sub.max (ng/mL)
260.1 187.1 78.7 111.5 240.8 steady state Mean C.sub.min (ng/mL)
15.0 8.9 1.1 1.8 9.6 steady state
TABLE-US-00043 TABLE 26 Mean Plasma Dihydrotestosterone Levels
Capsule 1 Capsule 2 Capsule 3 Capsule 4 IR Mean C.sub.max (ng/mL)
4.4 3.6 2.3 2.4 3.9 single dose Mean C.sub.max (ng/mL) 4.6 4.0 2.3
2.3 4.1 steady state Mean C.sub.min (ng/mL) 2.2 1.6 0.9 1.0 2.2
steady state
* * * * *