(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED
`IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PATENT CO-OPERATION TREATY (PCT)
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`
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`(19) World Intellectual Property
`Organization
`International Office
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`
`
`International Publication Date
`1 May 2003
`
`
`PCT
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`(10)
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`International Publication number:
`WO 03/035053 A1
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`(43)
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`(51) International Patent Classification7:
`9/22
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`(21) International File Number: PCT/EP02/11809
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`(22) Date of International Application:
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`
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`22 October 2002
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`(25) Language of filing:
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`(26) Language of publication:
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`(30) Priority information:
` 101 52 469.2
`24 October 2001
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`A61K 31/135,
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`German
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`German
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`DE
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`DE
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`16 October 2002
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`102 48 309.4
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`(71) Applicant (for all designated contracting states except
`the US): GRÜNENTHAL GMBH [DE/DE]; Zieglerstrasse
`6, 52078 Aachen (DE).
`
`(72) Inventors; and
`(75) Inventors/Applicants: (only for US):
`BARTHOLOMÄUS, Johannes [DE/DE]; In den
`Atzenbenden 54, 52080 Aachen (DE). ZIEGLER, Iris
`[DE/DE]; Im Dickenbruch 6, 5(DE)
`
`(74) Attorney: GRÜNENTHAL GMBH; Stabstelle
`Patente, Zieglerstrasse 6, 52078 Aachen (DE).
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`[Continued on next page]
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`RS 1009 - 000001
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`(81) Designated Contracting States (national): AE, AG,
`AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, BZ, CA,
`CH, CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DK, DM, DZ, EC, EE, ES, FI,
`GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE,
`KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MA,
`MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MZ, NO, NZ, OM, PH,
`PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TN,
`TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, AM, ZW
`
`(84) Designated Contracting States (regional): ARIPO
`Patent (GM, KE, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM,
`ZW), Eurasian patent (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU,
`TJ, TM), European patent (AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE,
`DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT,
`
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`SE, SK, TR), OAPI Patent (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM,
`GA, GN, GQ, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
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`Published
`- With international search report
`- Prior to expiration of applicable term for
`amendments to claims; will be re-published if there
`are amendments
`
`See explanations (in “Guidance Notes on Codes and
`Abbreviations”) at the beginning of each regular
`edition of the PCT Gazette for explanation of the
`country digraphs and other abbreviations.
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`RS 1009 - 000002
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`PCT/EP02/11809
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`
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` 1
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`WO 03/035053
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`
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`Grünenthal GmbH, D-52078 Aachen
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`(GRA 3066)
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`
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`Pharmaceutical containing 3-(3-Dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol
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`5
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`and providing delayed release of the active ingredient
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`The invention relates to a pharmaceutical that provides delayed release of the active
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`ingredient and that contains 3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol or one
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`of its pharmaceutically acceptable salts in a matrix.
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`3-(3-Dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol is known from EP 0 693 475 B1 as
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`10
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`an analgesic pharmaceutical and may be applied orally. The normal formulations for
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`oral administration of 3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol lead to a rapid
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`release of the active ingredient in the gastrointestinal tract so that its analgesic effect
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`begins rapidly. Similarly, its effect wears off rapidly. Thus treating severe chronic pain
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`with 3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol in the past has required
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`15
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`administration of the pharmaceutical at relatively short intervals, for instance four to six
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`times daily, to ensure an adequate concentration of the active ingredient in the patient’s
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`blood. The necessity of frequent dosing, however, easily leads to errors in taking it and
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`to undesired fluctuation in concentrations in the plasma, which detracts from patient
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`compliance and therapeutic benefit, especially when treating chronic pain. A
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`20
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`pharmaceutical dosage form having delayed release (delayed release formulation) for
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`oral application of the active ingredient 3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-
`
`propyl)phenol is therefore desirable.
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`CONFIRMATION COPY
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`25
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`RS 1009 - 000003
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`PCT/EP02/11809
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` 2
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`WO 03/035053
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`In the prior art, in general delayed release formulations are known for a great number of
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`different active ingredients. Common delayed release forms are inter alia coated forms
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`and matrix forms.
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`In the case of coated delayed release forms, such as are described in particular in DE
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`5
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`36 25 458 A1, the core of a pharmaceutical composition, which core includes an active
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`ingredient, is provided with a coating that is made of one or a plurality of hydrophilic
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`and/or hydrophobic polymers and that delays the release of the active ingredient.
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`In matrix delayed release formulations, the active ingredient is contained in a matrix that
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`is formed from one or a plurality of carrier materials and that controls the release of the
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`10
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`active ingredient. Thus, for instance, DE 33 09 516 A1 discloses a method for producing
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`matrix formulations having hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as the carrier
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`material and some delayed release of the active ingredient, wherein the carrier material
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`makes up no more than one-third of the weight of the formulation and comprises at least
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`one hydroxypropyl methylcellulose that has a methoxy content of 16-24 wt.%, a
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`15
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`hydroxypropyl content of
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`4-32 wt.%, and a numerical average molecular weight of at least 50,000. The
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`formulations disclosed in DE 33 09 516 A1 include HPMCs having viscosities (in 2 wt.%
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`aqueous solution at 20°C) between 15 and 30,000 cPs (15 to 30,000 mPa·s). DE 33 09
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`516 A1 does not disclose release behavior independent of the pH of the dissolution
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`20
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`medium.
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`It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a pharmaceutical formulation
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`containing 3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol and providing delayed
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`release of the active ingredient.
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`RS 1009 - 000004
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`PCT/EP02/11809
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` 3
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`WO 03/035053
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`This object is attained using a pharmaceutical that provides delayed release and that
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`contains 3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol or a pharmaceutically
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`acceptable salt thereof in a matrix having delayed release of the active ingredient,
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`wherein the matrix includes 1 to 80 wt.%, preferably 5 to 80 wt.%, of one or a plurality of
`
`5
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`hydrophilic or hydrophobic polymers as pharmaceutically acceptable matrix forming
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`agents and has the following release rate in vitro, measured using the Ph. Eur. Paddle
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`Method at 75 rpms in a buffer (in accordance with Ph. Eur.) at a pH of 6.8 at 37°C and
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`using UV spectrometry:
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`10
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`20
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`3-35 wt.% 3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol (relative to 100
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`wt.% active ingredient) released after 0.5 hours;
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`5-50 wt.% 3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol released after 1
`
`hour;
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`10-75 wt.% 3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol released after 2
`
`hours;
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`15-82 wt.% 3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol released after 3
`
`hours,
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`30-97 wt.% 3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol released after 6
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`hours;
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`more than 50 wt.% 3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol released
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`after 12 hours;
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`more than 70 wt.% 3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol released
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`after 18 hours;
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`more than 80 wt.% 3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol released
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`after 24 hours.
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`25
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`Surprisingly, it has been demonstrated that the inventive formulation provides delayed
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`release of 3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol for oral administration and
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`is thus suitable for administration at intervals of at least 12 hours. The inventive
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`RS 1009 - 000005
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`PCT/EP02/11809
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` 4
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`WO 03/035053
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`formulation consequently permits pain management therapy, during the course of which
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`the analgesic 3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol must be administered
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`only once daily, e.g. at intervals of 24 h, or twice daily, preferably at intervals of 12
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`hours, to ensure a sufficient concentration of the active ingredient in plasma. Simulation
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`5
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`studies and experimental tests demonstrate a corresponding duration of action and
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`maintenance of sufficient levels in the blood plasma.
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`It is particularly surprising that, due to the delayed release, not only does the inventive
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`formulation ensure long-lasting therapeutic efficacy over a relatively long period of time
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`(at least 12 hours), it also permits rapid uptake of the active ingredient in the plasma
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`10
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`when the pharmaceutical is first taken, which leads to rapid pain relief for the patient
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`(“rapid onset”). Thus, when the inventive formulation is administered to a pain patient,
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`the patient’s pain may be rapidly relieved without the analgesic effect subsiding just as
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`rapidly. The inventive formulation therefore combines properties of a formulation
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`providing immediate release of the active ingredient – rapid relief of the pain due to
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`15
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`sufficiently high concentration of the active ingredient shortly after the pharmaceutical is
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`taken – with properties of a formulation providing delayed release – long-lasting
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`analgesic effect due to a sufficiently high level of the active ingredient over an extended
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`period of time. By taking the analgesic in the inventive formulation the pain patient may
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`thus effectively address his pain acutely and at the same time receive effective therapy
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`20
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`over an extended period of time without additional measures and merely by taking the
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`pharmaceutical at regular intervals of 12 (or 24) hours.
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`The active ingredient of the formulation is included in a matrix providing delayed
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`release. However, it is also possible for the
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`RS 1009 - 000006
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`PCT/EP02/11809
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` 5
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`WO 03/035053
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`active ingredient to be included in a matrix having normal release behavior and for the
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`delayed release to be attained using a coating.
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`In another option, the delayed release is attained using an osmotically driven release
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`system.
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`5
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`If the inventive formulation contains a matrix having delayed release, the matrix has 1-
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`80 wt.% of one or a plurality of hydrophilic or hydrophobic polymers as pharmaceutically
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`acceptable matrix forming agents, for instance rubbers, cellulose ethers, cellulose
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`esters, acrylic resins, materials derived from proteins, fats, waxes, fatty alcohols, and
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`fatty acid esters. When using hydrophilic polymers for matrix forming agents, it is
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`10
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`preferred that the matrix has 5 to 80 wt.% matrix forming agents.
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`Another subject matter of the present invention is a pharmaceutical formulation that
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`contains 3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol or a pharmaceutically
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`acceptable salt thereof in a matrix providing delayed release of the active ingredient,
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`wherein the matrix includes 1 to 80 wt.%, in particular 5 to 80 wt.%, of one or a plurality
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`15
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`of hydrophilic or hydrophobic polymers as pharmaceutically acceptable matrix forming
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`agents and that is characterized in that it has as pharmaceutically acceptable matrix
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`forming agents cellulose ether(s) and/or cellulose ester(s) that has/have a viscosity of
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`3,000 to 150,000 mPa∙s in a 2 wt.% aqueous solution at 20°C. (Viscosity determined by
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`means of capillary viscosimetry according to Pharm. Eu.) The compositions have the
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`20
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`inventive release profile provided in the foregoing.
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`Preferably used for pharmaceutically acceptable matrix forming agents are cellulose
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`ethers and/or cellulose esters that have a viscosity between 10,000
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`RS 1009 - 000007
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`PCT/EP02/11809
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` 6
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`WO 03/035053
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`and 150,000 mPa∙s, especially 50,000 mPa∙s, in a 2 wt.% aqueous solution at 20°C.
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`Particularly suitable pharmaceutically acceptable matrix forming agents are selected
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`from the group of hydroxypropyl methylcelluloses (HPMC), hydroxyethyl celluloses,
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`hydroxypropyl celluloses (HPC), methyl celluloses, ethyl celluloses, and carboxymethyl
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`5
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`celluloses, and in particular are selected from the group of HPMCs, hydroxyethyl
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`celluloses, and HPCs. Most preferred are HPMCs having a viscosity of approx. 100,000
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`mPa∙s, measured in a 2 wt.% aqueous solution at 20°C.
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`The active ingredient, 3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol, may be
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`present as such, i.e. as a free base, but may also be present in the form of a
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`10
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`pharmaceutically acceptable salt, for instance as hydrochloride. The production of the
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`free base is known from EP 0 693 475 A1. To the extent that the production of
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`pharmaceutically acceptable salts – such as the hydrochloride – is not also disclosed in
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`EP 0 693 475 A1, they may be obtained from the free base by means of methods
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`generally known in the prior art.
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`15
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`3-(3-Dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol has two centers of asymmetry so
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`that the compound may be present in the form of four different stereoisomers. In the
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`inventive formulation, 3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol may be
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`present as a mixture of all four diastereomers in any mixture ratio, but also as a mixture
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`of two or three or four stereoisomers or in stereoisomer pure form. Preferred
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`20
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`stereoisomers are (+)-(1S,2S)-3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol and (-
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`)-(1R,2R)-3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol, which in the inventive
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`formulation may be present as a mixture, especially as a 1:1 mixture (Racemat), or
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`particularly preferably in isomer pure form. For
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`RS 1009 - 000008
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`PCT/EP02/11809
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` 7
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`WO 03/035053
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`the purposes of the present invention, “active ingredient” shall therefore be construed to
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`mean 3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol as a mixture of various of its
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`stereoisomers or as one of its pure stereoisomers, as a free base or in the form of a
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`pharmaceutically acceptable salt.
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`5
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`In the inventive pharmaceuticals, the content of the active ingredient that is to have
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`delayed release is preferably between 0.5 and 85 wt.% and the content of
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`pharmaceutically acceptable matrix forming agents is between 8 and 40 wt.%.
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`Particularly preferred are pharmaceuticals having an active ingredient content to have
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`delayed release that is between 3 and 70 wt.%, especially between 8 and 66 wt.%, and
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`10
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`a content of pharmaceutically acceptable matrix forming agents that is between 10 and
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`35 wt.%, especially between 10 and 30 wt.%. If the active ingredient uses the
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`enantiomerically pure (+)-(1S,2S)-3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol
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`(or a mixture of the (+) and (-) enantiomers with a large excess of the (+) enantiomers),
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`it is particularly preferred that the active ingredient content is at the lower limit, i.e.
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`15
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`between 0.5 and 25 wt.% (relative to the total weight). If, as active ingredient, the
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`enantiomerically pure (-)-(1R,2R)-3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol is
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`used (or if a mixture of the (+) and (-) enantiomers having a large excess of the (-)
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`enantiomers is used), it is particularly preferred that the active ingredient content is
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`between 16 and 66 wt.%.
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`20
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`Other components of the matrix of the inventive formulation may be, where necessary,
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`digestible long-chain (i.e. having 8 to 50 C atoms, preferably 12 to 40 C atoms)
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`unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbons, such as e.g. fatty alcohols, fatty acid glyceryl
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`esters, mineral and vegetable oils, and waxes, wherein hydrocarbons having a melting
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`point between 25° and 90°C are preferred. Fatty alcohols are preferred in particular, and
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`25
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`lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, and cetylstearyl alcohol are
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`very particularly preferable. Their content in the matrix is 0 to
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`RS 1009 - 000009
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`PCT/EP02/11809
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` 8
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`WO 03/035053
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`60 wt.%. Alternatively or in addition, polyethylene glycols having a content of 0 to 60
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`wt.% may be included in the matrix.
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`Furthermore, the inventive pharmaceutical formulations may contain, as additional
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`components, pharmaceutically useful adjuvants such as fillers, for instance lactose,
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`5
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`microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), and calcium hydrogen phosphate, as well as slip
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`agents, lubricants, and glidants, for instance talcum, magnesium stearate, stearic acid,
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`and/or highly disperse silicon dioxide, the entire contents thereof in the tablet being
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`between 0 and 80 wt.%, preferably between 5 and 65 wt.%.
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`In many cases the release rate of an active ingredient from a dosage form is a function
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`10
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`of the pH of the release medium. This may fluctuate in a pH range from less than 1 to
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`about 8 while the pharmaceutical is passing through the gastrointestinal tract. These
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`fluctuations may be different from one person taking the pharmaceutical to another. The
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`pH/time profile during passage through the gastrointestinal tract may even vary from
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`one instance of taking the pharmaceutical to the next instance in one and the same
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`15
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`person. If the rate at which the active ingredient is released from the pharmaceutical is a
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`function of pH, this may lead to different release rates in vivo and therefore to different
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`bioavailability. However, the release profiles for the active ingredient (in the form of the
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`base or one of its pharmaceutically acceptable salts) from an inventive pharmaceutical
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`formulation are surprisingly independent of the pH that may occur physiologically during
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`20
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`passage through the gastrointestinal tract. The release profiles in a pH milieu of 1.2,
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`4.0, and 6.8 are identical to one another and also in comparison to release during a
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`pH/time profile of pH 1.2 through pH 2.3 and pH 6.8 to pH 7.2.
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`RS 1009 - 000010
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`PCT/EP02/11809
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` 9
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`WO 03/035053
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`It has been found that for attaining the delayed release of the active ingredient from the
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`inventive formulation, preferably present in tablet form, it does not matter whether, given
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`otherwise unchanged dimensions and unchanged composition of the tablet, with
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`respect to the active ingredient, the matrix forming agent, and the optional components,
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`5
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`a water-soluble filler is used for the filler (for instance, lactose), an insoluble filler that
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`does not swell in aqueous medium is used for the filler (for instance calcium hydrogen
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`phosphate), or an insoluble filler that swells in aqueous medium is used for the filler (for
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`instance microcrystalline cellulose). All such pharmaceuticals provide similar release
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`behavior.
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`10
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`It is furthermore surprising that in the inventive compositions, with a given quantity of
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`active ingredient, the quantity of matrix forming agent and the quantity of the optional
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`components may each vary over a relatively broad range without jeopardizing the
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`therapeutic efficacy of at least 12 h or twice daily application (provided the quantity
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`limits given above for active ingredient, matrix forming agent, and the other, optional
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`15
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`components are maintained). Efficacy for at least 12 h is provided e.g. with an active
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`ingredient content of approx. 32.25 wt.% (relative to the weight of the total composition)
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`both in a composition of approx. 12.9 wt.% HPMC having a viscosity of 100,000 mPa∙s
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`as matrix forming agent and a content of for instance MCC as filler of approx. 52.6 wt.%
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`and in a composition of approx. 25.8 wt.% of the same HPMC and approx. 39.7 wt.%
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`20
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`MCC (or lactose monohydrate) with otherwise equal quantities of slip agents, lubricants,
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`and glidants. The same is true for inventive compositions having a higher or lower
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`active ingredient content within the given limits.
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`RS 1009 - 000011
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`PCT/EP02/11809
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` 10
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`WO 03/035053
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`Also extremely surprising is the observation that, when administering the inventive
`
`pharmaceutical formulations providing delayed release of the active ingredient in human
`
`test subjects, despite the high first-pass effect for the active ingredient, counter to
`
`expectations the same bioavailability is attained compared to formulations providing
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`5
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`immediate release of the active ingredient.
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`Furthermore, inventive compositions are preferred whose tmax value in the plasma
`
`concentration/time diagram in vivo is between 2 and 10 h, especially between 3.5 and 6
`
`h, and very especially preferably is between 4 and 5.5 h, after oral administration of the
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`composition, i.e. the peak plasma level occurs in the aforesaid time periods.
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`10
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`The inventive formulation contains the active ingredient 3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-
`
`methyl-propyl)phenol as such and/or as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt in a quantity
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`normally of 2.5 to 800 mg, especially 5 to 400 mg, very particular preferably 10 to 250
`
`mg (weight of the active ingredient 3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol
`
`as hydrochloride) per dosage unit, wherein the release behavior of the inventive
`
`15
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`formulation is not affected by the exact quantity of the active ingredient provided the
`
`content limits provided above are maintained. Due to the different strengths of the two
`
`particularly preferred enantiomers (+)-(1S,2S)-3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-
`
`propyl)phenol and (-)-(1R,2R)-3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol, it is
`
`preferred that the stronger (+)-(1S,2S)-3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-
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`20
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`propyl)phenol is present in the inventive formulations in a quantity of 2.5 to 80 mg,
`
`especially 5 to 40 mg, and very particularly preferably in a quantity of 10 to 25 mg active
`
`ingredient (relative to the hydrochloride), while the (-)-(1R,2R)-3-(3-dimethylamino-1-
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`ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol is preferably present in the inventive formulations in a
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`RS 1009 - 000012
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`PCT/EP02/11809
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` 11
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`WO 03/035053
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`quantity of 25 to 800 mg, especially 50 to 400 mg, and very particularly preferably in a
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`quantity of 100 to 250 mg active ingredient (relative to the hydrochloride), specifically
`
`with the provision that the content limits given above are maintained.
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`Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the active ingredient in the context of this invention
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`5
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`are those salts of the active ingredient that are physiologically tolerated for
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`pharmaceutical use, especially when used in mammals and/or humans. Such
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`pharmaceutically acceptable salts may be formed for instance with inorganic or organic
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`acids.
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`The inventive pharmaceutical formulations may be present both as simple tablets and
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`10
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`as coated tablets, for instance as film-coated tablets or as pills. Normally the tablets are
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`round and biconvex; oblong tablet shapes that permit the tablets to be split are also
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`possible. Furthermore, granulates, spheroids, pellets, and microcapsules that are used
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`to fill packets or capsules or that are compressed to make disintegrating tablets are also
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`possible.
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`15
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`One or a plurality of coating layers may be used for coated tablets. Suitable for coating
`
`materials are known hydroxypropyl methylcelluloses having low viscosity of approx. 1 to
`
`100 mPa∙s and a low molecular weight of < 10,000 (e.g. Pharmacoat 606 having a
`
`viscosity of 6 mPa∙s in a 2 wt.% aqueous solution at 20°C) that have only a minor effect
`
`on the release profile of the inventive pharmaceutical. Diffusion coatings known to the
`
`20
`
`person skilled in the art, for instance based on swellable but water-insoluble
`
`poly(meth)acrylates, lead to a modulation in the delayed release of the active ingredient
`
`from the inventive pharmaceutical formulations. The
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`RS 1009 - 000013
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`PCT/EP02/11809
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`WO 03/035053
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`tablet core, which includes the active ingredient and provides delayed release of the
`
`active ingredient, having an active ingredient content preferably between 0.5 and 85
`
`wt.%, especially preferably between 3 and 70 wt.%, and very especially preferably
`
`between 8 and 66 wt.%, may be covered with additional active ingredient that is
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`5
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`released as an initial dose without a delay using different methods known to the person
`
`skilled in the art, for instance coating, spraying from solutions or suspensions, or
`
`powder application methods, without this being absolutely necessary for the desired
`
`delayed release with simultaneously rapid uptake of the active ingredient for rapid pain
`
`relief with the first dose of the inventive pharmaceutical formulation. Multilayer and
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`10
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`laminated tablets represent other embodiments in which 3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-
`
`methyl-propyl)phenol or one of its pharmaceutically acceptable salts in one or a plurality
`
`of layers of the multilayer tablet, having an active ingredient content preferably between
`
`0.5 and 85 wt.%, especially preferably between 3 and 70 wt.%, and very especially
`
`preferably between 8 and 66 wt.%, or in the core of the laminated tablet having an
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`15
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`active ingredient content preferably between 0.5 and 85 wt.%, especially preferably
`
`between 3 and 70 wt.%, and very especially preferably between 8 and 66 wt.%, has a
`
`delayed release through a pharmaceutically acceptable matrix forming agent, and the
`
`release of the active ingredient in one or a plurality of layers of the multilayer tablet or
`
`the outer laminate layer of the laminated tablets occurs without a delay. Multilayer and
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`20
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`laminated tablets may include one or a plurality of coatings that are free of active
`
`ingredient.
`
`Instead of a delayed-releasing matrix in the pharmaceutical formulation providing
`
`delayed release, it is also possible to use a normally releasing matrix with a coating that
`
`delays the release of the active ingredient. In this case, e.g. the active ingredient may
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`25
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`be included in a conventional matrix made of microcrystalline cellulose and possibly
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`other pharmaceutical adjuvants, such as for instance binding agents, fillers, slip agents,
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`RS 1009 - 000014
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`lubricants, and glidants, that are coated or layered with a material and that control the
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`delayed release of the active ingredient in aqueous medium. Suitable layering agents
`
`are e.g. water-insoluble waxes and polymers, such as polymethacrylates (Eudragit and
`
`the like), or water-insoluble celluloses, especially ethyl cellulose. Water-soluble
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`5
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`polymers, such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone, water-soluble celluloses, such as
`
`hydroxypropyl methylcelluloses or hydroxypropyl celluloses, other water-soluble agents,
`
`such as Polysorbate 80, or hydrophilic pore forming agents, such as polyethylene
`
`glycol, lactose, or mannitol, may be included in the coating material.
`
`Apart from or in addition to the possibilities of a delayed-releasing matrix in the
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`10
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`pharmaceutical formulation that provides delayed release or a normally releasing matrix
`
`with a coating that delays the release of the active ingredient, an osmotically driven
`
`release system may also be used for attaining a delayed release. In such a preferably
`
`oral release system, at least one, preferably all, surface(s) of the release system,
`
`preferably those that is/are or may be in contact with the release medium, is semi-
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`15
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`permeable, preferably provided with a semi-permeable coating, so that the surface(s)
`
`is/are permeable for the release medium, but are essentially, preferably completely,
`
`impermeable for the active ingredient, wherein the surface(s) and/or possibly the
`
`coating has/have at least one opening for releasing the active ingredient. The active
`
`ingredient 3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol or a pharmaceutically
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`20
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`acceptable salt thereof, preferably (+)-(1S,2S)-3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-
`
`propyl)phenol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and/or (-)-(1R,2R)-3-(3-
`
`dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt
`
`thereof, or a mixture thereof, may be present in a matrix, but does not have to be.
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`Preferably this shall be construed to be
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`RS 1009 - 000015
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` a
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` system in tablet form having an outlet opening, an osmotic pharmaceutical core, a
`
`semi-permeable membrane, and a polymer part that exerts pressure. One good and
`
`preferred example of such a system is the OROS® system from ALZA Corporation,
`
`USA, whose Internet presence and other product information includes details about the
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`5
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`OROS® system. In particular this is also the OROS® Push-PullTM system, the OROS®
`
`delayed Push-PullTM system, the OROS® Multi-Layer Push-PullTM system, the OROS®
`
`Push-Stick system, and even in certain cases the L-OROSTM. Embodiments and
`
`examples of the specific production of osmotically driven release systems may be found
`
`in US patents US 4,765,989, US 4,783,337, and US 4,612,008, the entire contents of
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`10
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`which constitute a component of the description of this invention.
`
`The inventive compositions may be produced in accordance with the following general
`
`method, for instance:
`
`The components of the composition (active ingredient, matrix forming agent, and
`
`optional components) are weighed in one by one and then screened on a conventional
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`15
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`screen machine. In this case, for instance, the Quadro Comil U10 machine may be
`
`used, a normal screen size being approx. 0.813 mm. The screened material is then
`
`mixed in a container mixer, e.g. in a Bohle container mixture; typical working conditions
`
`are: duration approx. 15 min. ± 45 s at a speed of 20 ± 1 rpm. Then the powder mixture
`
`obtained is pressed on a tablet press to create a tablet. A Korsch EKO tablet press that
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`20
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`has a curved round stamp and a 10-mm diameter may be used for this, for instance.
`
`Alternatively, it is also possible to compact the powder mixture and then to screen the
`
`pressed pieces (Comill 3-mm screen and subsequent 1.2-mm round hole screen),
`
`wherein the granulate thus resulting is then pressed as described above, with the
`
`addition of lubricant (e.g. magnesium stearate), e.g. on an EK0 tablet press
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`25
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`with 10-mm round stamps. Granulation may also occur using wet granulation based on
`
`aqueous or organic solvent; aqueous solvents with or without suitable binding agents
`
`are preferred. The production method may be adapted to the current requirements and
`
`the desired dosage form, with nothing further, in accordance with procedures that are
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`5
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`well known in the prior art.
`
`The production of inventive pharmaceutical formulations is characterized by high
`
`reproducibility of the release properties for the compositions obtained that contain the 3-
`
`(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol or one of its pharmaceutically
`
`acceptable salts. The release profile of the inventive pharmaceutical proved to be stable
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`10
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`during a storage period of at least one year under normal storage conditions in
`
`accordance with the ICH Q1AR Stability Testing Guideline.
`
`Good therapeutic efficacy for persistent severe pain is reliably attained when the patient
`
`takes an inventive pharmaceutical formulation once or twice daily.
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`Examples
`
`The examples illustrate the present invention and preferred embodiments, but shall not
`
`limit their protective scope.
`
`Example 1
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`5
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`Matrix tablets having the following composition per tablet
`
`(-)-(1R,2R)-3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)phenol
`hydrochloride
`Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (Metolose 90 SH 100,000 from Shinetsu),
`100,000 mPa∙s
`Microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel PH 102 from FMC)
`Highly disperse silicon dioxide
`Magnesium stearate
`Total quantity
`
`
`were produced in a batch size of 1,000 tablets in the following manner:
`
`100 mg
`
`80 mg
`
`123 mg
`4 mg
`3 mg
`310 mg
`
`All components were weighed in and screened on a Quadro Comil U10 screening
`
`machine using a screen size of 0.813 mm, mixed in a container mixer (Bohle LM 40) for
`
`10
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`15 min ± 15 s at a speed of 20 ± 1 rpm, and pressed on a Korsch EK0 press into tablets
`
`having a diameter of 10 mm, a radius of curvature of 8 mm, and a mean tablet weight of
`
`310 mg.
`
`Release in vitro was determined using the Ph. Eur. paddle method at 75 rpm in 900 mL
`
`pH 6.8 buffer according to Ph. Eur. at 37°C and with UV spectrometry and is provided in
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`15
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`the following table.
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`RS 1009 - 000018
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`PCT/EP02/11809
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` 17
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`Total quantity of active
`ingredient released [%]
`0
`18
`27
`41
`50
`59
`71
`80
`87
`93
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`WO 03/035053
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`Time [min]
`
`0
`30
`60
`1