EP2421515A2

EP2421515A2 - Particulate pharmaceutical composition having an opioid and an opioid antagonist

Info

Publication number: EP2421515A2
Application number: EP10723484A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lars Holger Hermann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: PHOEME GmbH
Priority date: 2009-04-22
Filing date: 2010-04-22
Publication date: 2012-02-29
Also published as: IL215813A0; AU2010238925A1; EA201171271A1; JP2012524732A; US20120040009A1; WO2010121600A3; WO2010121600A2; CA2759870A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising first particles and second particles, wherein the first particles comprise at least one opioid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and the second particles comprises at least one opioid antagonist or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the first and second particles cannot be distinguished from each other by optically detectable and/or physical properties, wherein the release of the opioid antagonist takes place continuously over a period of 30 minutes up to 8 hours after oral administration, and to a pharmaceutical form comprising the same for peroral administration. The invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a particle having the opioid and having the opioid antagonist with the release characteristics described above.

Description

"Particulate Pharmaceutical Composition Having an Opioid and an Opioid Antagonist"

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising an opioid, preferably morphine, and an opioid antagonist, preferably naloxone. More particularly, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for the controlled release of the opioid antagonist in a particular area of the digestive system, continuously over a period of 30 minutes to 8 hours after oral administration. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising first particles with the opioid and second particles with the opioid antagonist, wherein the first and second particles are indistinguishable. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a particle with the opioid and with the opioid antagonist.

State of the art

The group of opioids ("opium-like") is a chemically heterogeneous group of natural and synthetic substances that possess morphine-like properties and are active on opioid receptors, distinguishing endogenous opioids, which play a role in pain suppression The term "opiate" refers to opioids naturally occurring in opium, which are chemically alkaloids and which include morphine.

Of great therapeutic importance is the strong pain-relieving effect (analgesia) of the opioids. Unlike nonopioid analgesics, opioids exert their analgesic effects primarily in the central nervous system (CNS). The most common adverse effects of opioids are nausea, vomiting, dizziness and, especially if used for long periods, (spastic) constipations of the intestine. An overdose of opioids can lead to dangerous respiratory depression or suffocation.

Prolonged regular use of opioids may lead to tolerance development (habituation). As a result, higher and higher doses are necessary to achieve the desired effects. It is a pharmacodynamic tolerance that mainly due to increased enzyme activity of intracellular adenylate cyclase.

The opioids are in addition to the benzodiazepines to the substances that can cause a strong drug dependence. Here, a distinction must be made between mental and physical dependence. The anxiety-relieving and euphoric effects of opioids are primarily held responsible for the psychological component of dependency. The physical dependency is mainly due to the fact that it comes with withdrawal of opioid intake withdrawal symptoms, which is based on an increased release of norepinephrine. Typical withdrawal symptoms are restlessness, unfounded sensations of pain, depression, vomiting and stomach cramps, diarrhea, fatigue and flu-like symptoms.

The withdrawal of opioids is extremely tedious. While physical withdrawal is usually overcome quickly, sleep disorders or nightmares can occur a year later, following previous heavy regular consumption. The psychological addiction often causes relapses.

Therapeutic opioids include tilidine, tramadol and morphine. Tilidin is often not enough for very severe pain and morphine or morphine-like substances are used. Morphine (5R, 6S, 9R, \ 3S, l4R) -4,5-epoxy-N-methylmorphin-7-ene-3,6-diol, also colloquially referred to as morphine, is a very effective analgesic derived from the Capsules of the opium poppy is obtained and has the following structural formula:

The most analgesic opioids include sufentanil, remifentanil and fentanyl. Therapeutically insignificant is heroin (diacetylmorphine), whose release in Germany is prohibited. Heroin substitution therapy mainly uses the opioid methadone.

In particular, due to the psychotropic effect of the opioids, there is a risk of misuse (abuse). This includes that the active ingredient is not supplied by the intended route of administration. Thus, intravenous (syringes), nasal (sniffing) or pulmonary (smoking) administration is preferred because of the rapid onset of action ("kick") over oral ingestion. For this purpose, a preparation is melted or dissolved and injected intravenously, or it is burned on aluminum foil and inhaled the smoke (foil smoking).

In order to limit the misuse of opiods (abuse protection), opioid antagonists can be added to the pharmaceutical preparations. Such a commercial preparation is Valoron ^® N, which contains a combination of tilidine and naloxone. Naloxone (5A, 9.K, 135.14S) -IT-AllyI-S, 14-dihydroxy-4,5-epoxymorphinan-6-one) is an opioid antagonist having the following structural formula:

Together with naltrexone, naloxone is one of the pure opioid antagonists that act as compeptive antagonists on all opioid receptors. Buprenorphine, on the other hand, acts as a mixed agonist / antagonist at the μ receptor. By the antagonistic effect, the effect of the opioid, i. of the agonist, suspended. This property is exploited by, for example, using naloxone therapeutically as an antidote in an opioid overdose.

When administered orally naloxone is subject to a high first-pass effect, ie a substantial inactivation in the liver before reaching the site of action. On intravenous administration, on the other hand, large portions of the naloxone remain active. Since naloxone, as an opioid antagonist, abolishes the effect of the opiate, triggers simultaneous intravenous administration Opioid and opioid antagonist withdrawal syndrome. Naloxone can also exhibit its antagonistic effect on pulmonary, nasal, transdermal or rectal administration.

A prerequisite for naloxone to fulfill its abuse protection function is that the opioid antagonist can not be readily separated from the opioid. This would be the case, for example, if the opioid and the opioid antagonist were administered with different tablets. In the case of multilayer preparations, for example, it is possible to dissolve the individual layers in a solvent, for example water or ethanol, and to obtain the opioid by evaporating the solution obtained. A dosage form containing morphine containing a naltrexone core is known. Separation of morphine and naltrexone can be achieved by placing the dosage form in water for 20 minutes. Thereafter, the morphine is dissolved and can be obtained by abducting the naltrexone nuclei. There may also be a manual separation, for example by scraping or rupturing the outer shell of a preparation.

WO 2007/082935 discloses dosage forms in which the opioid and the opioid antagonist are present as a powder or granule mixture. In the mixture, the particles containing the opioid and the opioid antagonist particles are visually indistinguishable. It is further disclosed that the opioid and / or the opioid antagonist can be released with a delay.

Although naloxone exerts its desirable adverse effects substantially in non-oral administration, oral ingestion is not without side effects. When active naloxone enters the colon, severe diarrhea lasting up to four weeks is elicited in patients who have developed constipation as a result of long-term opioid use. Because of the risk of immediate withdrawal symptoms, for example, the use of Valoron ^® N is contraindicated in existing drug dependence of opiates.

Furthermore, even with oral administration, absorption of naloxone is possible, bypassing the first-pass effect. Studies have shown that naloxone is easily absorbed in the mouth area. Upon absorption through the mucous membranes in the area of the mouth, for example, through the peroneal mucosa and the cheek inner surfaces passes an active ingredient via the venous blood from the oral mucosa directly into the superior vena cava. This principle is used for example in sublingual administration forms. Even with rectal absorption, the first-pass effect is at least partially circumvented, which is used in the administration of active ingredients through suppositories.

Due to the side effects of opioid-dependent patients, the addition of naloxone to morphine, which is used to treat pain or as a substitution therapy, is highly problematic. In the extreme case, the therapy must be stopped.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a more compatible pharmaceutical composition with an opioid and an opioid antagonist. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide an opioid composition which allows application even with opioid dependence or opioid tolerance.

Summary of the invention

The object of the invention is achieved by a pharmaceutical composition comprising first particles and second particles, wherein the first particles comprise at least one opioid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and the second particles comprise at least one opioid antagonist or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein the first and second particles are indistinguishable by optically detectable and / or physical properties, characterized in that the release of the opioid antagonist is continuous over a period of 30 minutes to 8 hours after oral administration.

The object of the invention is further achieved by a pharmaceutical composition comprising a particle comprising at least one opioid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and at least one opioid antagonist or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, characterized in that the release of the opioid Antagonists are continuous over a period of 30 minutes to 8 hours after oral administration.

In one embodiment of the pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention, the release of the opioid antagonist takes place continuously over a period of 30 Minutes to 6 hours, preferably from 45 minutes to 4.5 hours, after oral administration.

In one embodiment, the opioid is a full agonist, preferably morphine.

In one embodiment, the opiod antagonist has a bioavailability of less than 5%, and is preferably naloxone.

In one embodiment, the release of the opioid occurs for a period of from 0 to at least 12 hours, preferably from 0 to 24 hours after oral administration.

In one embodiment, the first and second particles are beads or the one particle are beads.

In one embodiment, the beads comprise a core and a controlled release coating.

In one embodiment, the coating for release of active ingredient comprises at least one polyacrylate / methacrylate Polyrner, in particular at least one Eudragit ^®.

The object of the present invention is further achieved by a dosage form for peroral administration comprising one of the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention for three times, preferably twice, more preferably once daily.

In one embodiment, the dosage form is a capsule, preferably a hard gelatin capsule, or a sachet.

In one embodiment, the ratio of opioid antagonist to opioid in the dosage form is less than 1:10, preferably in the range of 1: 250 to <1:10, and most preferably 1: 100. The object of the invention is further achieved by a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention for use in the treatment of opioid dependence.

In one embodiment of the composition, the dose of the opioid in the dosage form is 200 mg. Accordingly, the dose of the antagonist is preferably 2 mg.

The object of the invention is further achieved by a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention for pain therapy in opioid-dependent or non-opioid-dependent patients.

In one embodiment of the composition, the dosage of the opioid in the dosage form is 30 or 60 mg. Accordingly, the dose of the antagonist is preferably 0.3 or 0.6 mg.

Detailed description of the invention

The opioid, preferably morphine, may be present as a physiologically acceptable salt such as hydrochloride, hydrate, sulfate, chlorate or quaternary salts. Preferred salts of morphine are morphine hydrochloride, morphine sulphate pentahydrate, morphine chlorate, morphine methobromide or other quaternary salts of morphine and morphine N-oxide. Particularly preferred is morphine sulfate pentahydrate.

The opioid antagonist, preferably naloxone, may be present as a physiologically acceptable salt, such as hydrochloride or hydrochloride dihydrate. Particularly preferred is naloxone hydrochloride dihydrate.

The present invention provides more compatible pharmaceutical compositions with an opioid and an opioid antagonist which avoids the occurrence of withdrawal symptoms. This advantage is achieved by the particular release profile of opiod and opioid antagonist and by the relationship of these two to each other. The effect of the release profile is that unlike the Her usual concept of avoiding the "deprivation" also comes to avoid the so-called "local partial withdrawal" in the intestine.

The pharmaceutical composition is formulated such that the opioid exhibits its beneficial effect while the effect of the opioid antagonist upon oral administration is substantially reduced or abolished. This property of the pharmaceutical composition, i. better compatibility, is achieved by controlled release of the opioid antagonist, ie by release of the opioid antagonist in a specific area of the digestive system, while at the same time the release of the opioid is delayed ("delayed release"). sustained-release formulation). Since resorption of the opioid antagonist in the oral area avoids the first-pass effect, it is advantageous to prevent absorption in this section of the digestive system. According to the invention, this is achieved by virtually no release of the opioid antagonist takes place in the first 30 minutes after oral administration of the pharmaceutical composition (or in the presence of a physiological saline solution).

Furthermore, it is advantageous to prevent absorption of the opioid antagonist in the rectum. According to the present invention, this is achieved by virtually completely liberating the opioid antagonist 8 hours, preferably 6 hours after oral administration of the pharmaceutical composition (or in the presence of a physiological saline solution), i. already released when the pharmaceutical composition reaches the rectum.

From the transverse colon, and especially from the descending colon, absorption of the opioid antagonist is no longer possible or only possible to a lesser extent, since due to lack of fluid, it no longer dissolves and is still subject to the first-pass effect. Resorption only takes place in the rectum. Therefore, it is advantageous that the opioid antagonist is already released when the pharmaceutical composition reaches the end of the transverse colon or the beginning of the descending colon. According to the invention this is achieved by the opioid antagonist is almost completely released 8 hours, preferably 6 hours after oral administration of the pharmaceutical composition (or in the presence of a physiological saline solution), that is already released when the pharmaceutical composition after about 10 hours this Reached section of the digestive system. If the antagonist is released in the rectum, it becomes fully effective bypassing the first-pass effect and causes general and local withdrawal. Since an opioid antagonist in the colon can trigger severe diarrhea in opioid-dependent patients, it is furthermore advantageous to suppress release in this section of the digestive tract as far as possible. According to the invention, this is achieved by the opioid antagonist almost completely liberated 8 hours, preferably 6 hours after oral administration of the pharmaceutical composition (or in the presence of a physiological saline solution), that is already released when the pharmaceutical composition after about 6 hours the Colon reached.

Essential to the invention is that the release of naloxone is continuous, i. is retarded, follows a kinetics approximately first order and virtually no release peaks (peaks) occur.

From the state of the art, various possibilities for achieving the special release profile of the opioid or opioid antagonist are known. Presently preferred is a solution in which release is controlled by a particular sustained-release coating, the sustained-release coating proposed in the following examples being only an example, since other possibilities are conceivable and derivable for the person skilled in the art from the prior art. As an alternative to a slow-release coating, it is also possible to select a corresponding sustained release matrix from which the opioid or the opioid antagonist is released.

In the embodiment, with the first and second particles in which the opioid or the opioid antagonist is contained by optically detectable properties, such as, for example, color, shape or size, or physically measurable properties, such as, for example, weight or density, are indistinguishable, easy separability of the two substances is avoided. A very similar size of the particles, for example, prevents separation by sieving. A very similar weight or a very similar density prevents separation due to different floating properties (skimming).

In the single-particle embodiment containing the opioid and the opioid antagonist, easy separability of the two substances is also avoided. More recent findings show that opioid-dependent patients show an increased absorption of opioids and opioid antagonist compared to non-dependent patients (Halbsguth U, Rentsch KM, Eich-Hochli D, Diterich I, Fattinger K. Br J Clin Pharmacol 66: 781-91 , 2008). In these patients, a ratio of opioid to opioid antagonist of more than 1:10 triggers withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, it is advantageous if the ratio of opioid to opioid antagonist is less than 1:10.

In order to achieve abuse protection, a high ratio of opioid to opioid antagonist has hitherto been regarded as advantageous or necessary. For example, Valoron ^® N solution contains 4 mg of naloxone and 50 mg of tilidine in 0.72 ml, ie in a ratio of 1: 12.5. Suboxone ^® contains 2 mg naloxone and 8 mg buprenorphine, ie a ratio of 1: 4. It has been shown, however, that in non-opioid-dependent patients, 0.4 mg naloxone is sufficient to cause discrete withdrawal symptoms when intravenously administered with 200 mg morphine, ie at a ratio of naloxone to morphine of 1: 500. A ratio of 1: 100 is regarded as optimal, ie withdrawal symptoms are triggered with iv administration without life-threatening conditions occurring. In addition, it has surprisingly been found that the half-lives of naloxone and morphine are more similar than previously thought.

In addition to the above-described advantageous properties and effects of the pharmaceutical composition or dosage form according to the invention, a previously conducted study has determined yet another previously unknown positive effect of the ultralow dosing of the antagonist, in this case naloxone, which is possible with this invention ,

It is known from the literature that ultra-low dosages of opiate antagonists have a positive effect on the development of opiate tolerance and dependency, enhance an anti-nascent effect, have an opiate-sparing effect and have an effect on alcohol dependence.

In the mentioned study, it has now been shown that surprisingly additional positive effects occurred, namely the reduction of morphine-typical side effects nausea and itching, reduction or avoidance of constipation, the reduction of opiate craving, the improvement of cognition (zu the cognitive abilities of a human These include, for example, attention, memory, learning, creativity, planning, orientation, imagination, reasoning, introspection, will, belief, etc.) and emotional vibration (also referred to as affective vibration Vibration ability expresses an adequate ability to modulate the mood, which means that the emotions perceivable by the affected person or observer can be adapted appropriately to the topic of conversation and the contact situation, and the usual range of emotions can be expressed in a recognizable manner judged by gestural reactions and the adjustment of the voice in the conversational contact), the improvement of appetite and hunger, the reduction of bloating and the normalization of the day-night or sleep rhythm. In patients who were also addicted to alcohol, the composition or pharmaceutical form of the invention showed a reduction in the effect of alcohol withdrawal or alcohol craving.

Description of the drawing

Figure 1 is a graphical representation of the release data of naloxone over the

Time.

EXAMPLE

Preparation of the pharmaceutical composition (with 2 particles)

The pharmaceutical composition comprises a mixture of morphine and naloxone beads. Each bead contains a core to which the active agent, i. either morphine or naloxone, and a drug release control coating.

Morphine beads

First, spherical pellets (sugar spheres) are film-coated using a suspension containing morphine sulfate, povidone (Kollidon K 25) and titanium dioxide in purified water. The morphine-loaded pellets are then sprayed with a dispersion of colloidal anhydrous silica (Aerosil 200) in purified water. Subsequently, a first release-delaying layer is applied. For this purpose, the pellets are film-coated using an Eudragit coating suspension I containing talc and Eudragit FS 30 D in purified water.

Thereafter, a second release-delaying layer is applied. To this end, hy- limellose is dispersed in purified water and polysorbate 80 is added. To this solution is added a dispersion of talc and titanium dioxide. Then Eudragit NE 30 D and Eudragit FS 30 D are added. Using this Eudragit coating suspension II, the pellets are film-coated. Onto this layer is then sprayed a dispersion of colloidal anhydrous silica.

Naloxone beads

First, spherical pellets (sugar spheres) are film-coated using a suspension containing naloxone hydrochloride dihydrate, povidone (Kollidon K 25) and titania in purified water. These naloxone-loaded pellets are then sprayed with a dispersion of colloidal anhydrous silica (Aerosil 200).

Subsequently, a release delaying layer is applied. To this end, hy- limellose is dispersed in purified water and polysorbate 80 is added. To this solution is added a dispersion of talc and titanium dioxide. Then Eudragit NE 30 D and Eudragit FS 30 D are added. With this Eudragit coating suspension, the pellets are film-coated. Onto this layer is then sprayed a dispersion of colloidal anhydrous silica onto the pellets. The ratio of the constituents of the coating is adjusted so that the desired release profile is achieved.

Comparison of morphine and naloxone beads

Table 1 shows that the morphine and naloxone beads have very similar properties in terms of, for example, size (radius), density and weight. Table 2 and Figure 1 show the course of the release of naloxone over a period of 360 minutes after various storage conditions.

The release of naloxone starts between 30 and 60 minutes and is practically complete after about 270 to 300 minutes (4.5 to 5 hours). It runs continuously over the entire period without occurrence of peaks (FIG. 1).

Table 3 shows the time course of the release of naloxone and morphine. The pellets contained naloxone (hydrochloride dihydrate) in an amount of 1.2 to 2.1 mg / 2 g or morphine (sulfate pentahydrate) in an amount of 120 to 210 mg morphine / 2 g.

While the release of naloxone after 6 hours is not less than 90%, about 30-70% of morphine is released after 8 hours, and a morphine release of not less than 90% is achieved after 20 hours.

The features of the invention disclosed in the foregoing description, in the claims and in the drawing may be essential both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments.

Table 1

Morphine naloxone

Pellets 1700 - 2000 1700 - 2000 [μml

Pellet radius 0.925 0.925 [mm]

Bulk / bulk density m 175.9 175.9 [g]

Bulk volume Vl 202.0 202.0 [ml]

Back volume V2 197.0 197.0 [ml]

Bulk density 0.8708 0.8708 [g / ml]

Bulk density 0.8929 [g / ml]

Acceptance densest packing cp 0.7405 0.7405 True Density Pellets p 1.2058 1.2058 [g / ml]

Volume 3.315231098 3.315231098 [mπrVPellet]

\ O = A - π - r '

Surface O 10,75210086 10,75210086 [mmVPellet]

Table 2

ul

Table 3

Calculation for ratio 100 to 1 c \

Claims

claims

A pharmaceutical composition comprising first particles and second particles, the first particles comprising at least one opioid or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and the second particles comprising at least one opioid antagonist or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the first and second Particles are not distinguishable by optically detectable and / or physical properties, characterized in that the release of the opioid antagonist is carried out continuously over a period of 30 minutes to 8 hours after oral administration.

A pharmaceutical composition comprising a particle comprising at least one opioid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and at least one opioid antagonist or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, characterized in that the release of the opioid antagonist is continuous over a period of 30 to 30 days Minutes to 8 hours after oral administration.

3. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the release of the opioid antagonist takes place continuously over a period of 30 minutes to 6 hours, preferably from 45 minutes to 4.5 hours, after oral administration.

The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the opioid is a full agonist.

The pharmaceutical composition of claim 4, wherein the opioid is morphine.

A pharmaceutical composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opioid antagonist is an opioid antagonist with oral bioavailability below 5%.

The pharmaceutical composition of claim 6, wherein the opioid antagonist is naloxone.

8. A pharmaceutical composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the release of the opioid takes place during a period of from 0 to at least 12 hours, preferably from 0 to 24 hours after oral administration.

9. A pharmaceutical composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second particles are beads or wherein the one particle are beads.

The pharmaceutical composition of claim 9, wherein the beads comprise a core and a controlled release coating.

The pharmaceutical composition of claim 10, wherein the controlled release coating comprises at least one polyacrylate / methacrylate polymer.

12. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 11, wherein the coating for controlled release of active ingredient at least one Eudragit ^® comprises.

A dosage form for peroral administration comprising the pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 1 to 12 for twice, preferably once daily, administration.

14. Dosage form according to claim 13, wherein the dosage form is a capsule, preferably a hard gelatin capsule, or sachet.

15. Dosage form according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the ratio of opioid antagonist to opioid has a value of less than 1:10, preferably a value in the range of 1: 250 to <1:10, and particularly preferably a value of 1: 100th

16. A dosage form according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the dose of the opioid is 30, 60 or 200 mg.

17. A pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 1 to 12 or a dosage form according to any one of claims 13 to 16 for use in the treatment of opioid dependence.

The pharmaceutical composition or dosage form of claim 17, wherein the dose of opioid is 200 mg.

19. A pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 1 to 12 or a dosage form according to any one of claims 13 to 16 for use in pain therapy in opioid-dependent or non-opioid-dependent patients.

The pharmaceutical composition or dosage form of claim 19, wherein the dose of the opioid is 30 or 60 mg.