Claims for Patent: 4,923,892

Summary for Patent: 4,923,892

Title:	Tricyclic aromatic compounds
Abstract:	The present invention relates to compounds of formula I ##STR1## or a salt, ester or amide thereof; wherein R.sup.1 is --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --, CH.sub.2 --O-- or --O--CH.sub.2 --; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are the same or different and are each hydrogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl or taken together with the nitrogen comprise a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring having four to six ring members; R.sup.4 is a single bond or a C.sub.1-7 bivalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group and may be joined to the aromatic ring system at the 2,3,8 or 9 positions; n is 0 to 3, and their use as antihistamine and antiasthma agents.
Inventor(s):	Lever, Jr.; O. William (Skillman, NJ), Leighton; Harry J. (Chapel Hill, NC)
Assignee:	Burroughs Wellcome Co. (Research Triangle Park, NC)
Application Number:	07/356,884
Patent Claims:	1. A method of treating allergy in a mammal which comprises administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective allergy treatment amount of a compound of formula (I) ##STR10## or a pharmacologically and pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; wherein R.sup.1 is --CH.sub.2 --O--, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are the same or different and are each hydrogen or C.sub.1-4 alkyl, R.sup.4 is a C.sub.1-2 bivalent hydrocarbon group and is joined to the aromatic ring system at the 2 position and n is 2. 2. The method of claim 1 in which R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are methyl. 3. A method of claim 1 in which the compound of formula (I) is: (Z)-11-(3-(Dimethylamino)propylidene)-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-2-acryl ic acid. 4. A method of treating asthma in a mammal which comprises administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective asthma treatment amount of a compound of formula (I) ##STR11## or a pharmacologically and pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; wherein R.sup.1 is --CH.sub.2 --O--, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are the same or different and are each hydrogen or C.sub.1-4 alkyl, R.sup.4 is a C.sub.1-2 bivalent hydrocarbon group and is joined to the aromatic ring system at the 2 position and n is 2. 5. The method of claim 4 in which R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are methyl. 6. The method of claim 4 in which the compound of formula (I) is: (Z)-11-(3-(Dimethylamino)propylidene)-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-2-acryl ic acid. 7. A pharmaceutical formulation for use in treating allergy or asthma comprising an effective allergy or asthma treatment amount of: ##STR12## or a pharmacologically and pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; wherein R.sup.1 is --CH.sub.2 --O--, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are the same or different and are each hydrogen or C.sub.1-4 alkyl, R.sup.4 is a C.sub.1-2 bivalent hydrocarbon group and is joined to the aromatic ring system at the 2 position and n is 2 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefore. 8. The formulation of claim 7 in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are methyl. 9. The formulation of claim 8 in which the compound is: (Z)-11-(3-(Dimethylamino)propylidene)-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-2-acryl ic acid. 10. The formulation of claim 7 in the form of a tablet or capsule. 11. The formulation of claim 8 in the form of a tablet or capsule. 12. The formulation of claim 9 in the form of a tablet or capsule.