Claims for Patent: 5,194,247

Summary for Patent: 5,194,247

Title:	Synergistic skin depigmentation composition
Abstract:	There is disclosed a synergistic composition for skin depigmentation with reduced irritation which does not contain a corticosteroid comprising 4-hydroxyanisole and a retinoid, such as all-trans retinoic acid, 11-cis,13-cis-12-hydroxymethyl retinoic acid .delta.-lactone or (N-acetyl-4-aminophenyl) retinoate, in a pharmaceutically acceptable topical vehicle.
Inventor(s):	Nair; Xina (E. Amherst, NY), Tramposch; Kenneth M. (Williamsville, NY)
Assignee:
Application Number:	07/554,904
Patent Claims:	1. A synergistic composition for skin depigmentation which does not contain a corticosteroid and which consists essentially of from 0.1% to 5% by weight of 4-hydroxyanisole and from 0.001% to 1% by weight at least one retinoid selected from the group consisting of all-trans retinoic acid, (N-acetyl-4-amino-phenyl) retinoate and 11-cis, 13-cis-12-hydroxymethyl retinoic acid .delta.-lactone in a pharmaceutically acceptable topical vehicle. 2. A composition as defined in claim 1 wherein said retinoid is all-trans retinoic acid. 3. A composition as defined in claim 2 containing from 1 to 2% by weight of 4-hydroxyanisole and from 0.01 to 0.1% by weight of all-trans retinoic acid. 4. A composition as defined in claim 1 wherein said retinoid is (N-acetyl-4-aminophenyl) retinoate. 5. A composition as defined in claim 4 containing from 0.1% to 5% by weight of 4-hydroxyanisole and from 0.001% to 1% by weight of (N-acetyl-4-aminophenyl) retinoate. 6. A composition as defined in claim 5 containing from 1 to 2% by weight of 4-hydroxyanisole and from 0.01 to 0.1% by weight of (N-acetyl-4-aminophenyl) retinoate. 7. A composition as defined in claim 1 wherein said retinoid is 11-cis,13-cis-12-hydroxymethyl retinoic acid .delta.-lactone. 8. A composition as defined in claim 7 containing from 0.1% to 5% by weight of 4-hydroxyanisole and from 0.001% to 1% by weight of 11-cis,13-cis-12-hydroxymethyl retinoic acid .delta.-lactone. 9. A composition as defined in claim 8 containing from 1 to 2% by weight of 4-hydroxyanisole and from 0.01 to 0.1% by weight of 11-cis,13-cis-12-hydroxymethyl retinoic acid .delta.-lactone. 10. A method depigmenting skin which comprises topically applying to the skin a synergistic composition which does not contain a corticosteroid consisting essentially of from 0.1% to 5% by weight of 4-hydroxyanisole and from 0.001% to 1% by weight at least one retinoid selected from the group consisting of all-trans retinoic acid, (N-acetyl-4-aminophenyl) retinoate and 11-cis, 13-cis-12-hydroxymethyl retinoic acid .delta.-lactone in a pharmaceutically acceptable topical vehicle. 11. A method as defined in claim 10 wherein said retinoid is all-trans retinoic acid. 12. A method as defined in claim 1 containing from 1 to 2% by weight of 4-hydroxyanisole and from 0.01% to 0.1% by weight of all-trans retinoic acid. 13. A method as defined in claim 10 wherein said retinoid is (N-acetyl-4-aminophenyl) retinoate. 14. A method as defined in claim 13 wherein said composition contains from 0.1% to 5% by weight of 4-hydroxyanisole and from 0.001% to 1% by weight of (N-acetyl-4-aminophenyl) retinoate. 15. A method as defined in claim 14 containing from 1 to 2% by weight of 4-hydroxyanisole and from 0.01% to 0.1% by weight of (N-acetyl-4-aminophenyl) retinoate. 16. A method as defined in claim 10 wherein said retinoid is 11-cis,13-cis-12-hydroxymethyl retinoic acid .delta.-lactone. 17. A method as defined in claim 16 wherein said composition contains from 0.1% to 5% by weight of 4-hydroxyanisole and from 0.001% to 1% by weight of 11-cis-13-cis-12-hydroxymethyl retinoic acid .delta.-lactone. 18. A method as defined in claim 17 containing from 1 to 2% by weight of 4-hydroxyanisole and from 0.01% to 0.1% by weight of 11-cis,13-cis-12-hydroxymethyl retinoic acid .delta.-lactone.