Claims for Patent: 6,121,314

Summary for Patent: 6,121,314

Title:	Pharmaceutical composition
Abstract:	Non-greasy topical solutions, emulsion gels or lotions comprising as the active agent a compound of formula I ##STR1## and a lower alkanol, and if desired together with a solubilizing agent or an oil phase such as isopropyl myristate are useful delivery systems.
Inventor(s):	Richter; Friedrich (Schonbuhl, CH), Steiger; Michel (Bern, CH)
Assignee:	Novartis AG (Basel, CH)
Application Number:	09/437,843
Patent Claims:	1. A topical pharmaceutical composition comprising as the active agent a compound of formula I ##STR3## and a lower alkanol. 2. A composition according to claim 1 containing water. 3. A composition according to claim 2 containing from 50 to 85% of water. 4. A composition according to claim 1 containing from 5 to 35% of a lower alkanol. 5. A composition according to claim 4 wherein the alkanol is ethanol. 6. A composition according to claim 1 which is substantially free of fatty material. 7. A composition claim 1 containing a surfactant being non-anionic. 8. A composition claim 1 for the treatment of fungal infections wherein the active agent is the compound of formula I as defined in claim 1 in free base form or in acid addition salt form, together with a solubilizing agent and excipients as appropriate. 9. A composition according to claim 8 which is a spray, a gel or a fluid gel. 10. A composition according to claim 8 wherein the solubilizing agent is a polyoxyethylene fatty alcohol ether. 11. A composition according to claim 8 or wherein the ratio between the compound of formula I and the solubilizing agent is from about 1:0.5 to about 1:15. 12. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the active agent is the compound of formula I as defined in claim 1 in free base form or in acid addition salt form, together with an oil phase and further excipients as appropriate. 13. A composition according to claim 1 containing isopropyl myristate as an oil phase. 14. A composition according to claim 12 or wherein the ratio between the compound of formula I and the oil phase is from about 1:5 to about 1:40 on a w/w basis. 15. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the compound of formula I is present from about 0.1% to about 5% of the total weight of the composition on a w/w basis. 16. A process for the preparation of a topical pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1 comprising working up a compound of formula I as defined in claim 1 together with a lower alkanol and adding further excipients as appropriate. 17. A method for the treatment of fungal infections comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a composition according to claim 1 to a patient in need of such treatment.