Claims for Patent: 6,451,289

Summary for Patent: 6,451,289

Title:	Albuterol formulations
Abstract:	Albuterol formulations packaged in an oxygen-permeable plastic container have a long shelf life at room temperature. The formulations consist essentially of albuterol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, sodium chloride, and water, have a pH of about 4, and contain less than 0.08% by weight of albuterol aldehyde and less than 1 ppm dissolved oxygen.
Inventor(s):	Wherry, III; Robert J. (Nashua, NH), Mueller; Stewart H. (Sudbury, MA)
Assignee:	Sepracor Inc. (Marlborough, MA)
Application Number:	09/815,150
Patent Claims:	1. A method of manufacturing a packaged albuterol formulation having a shelf life of at least twelve months; said method comprising: blowing nitrogen gas through a hollow cylinder of an oxygen-permeable plastic and molding the hollow cylinder into an oxygen-permeable container, thereby at least partially enclosing a reduced oxygen atmosphere; filling the oxygen-permeable container with an aqueous formulation of albuterol, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, said aqueous formulation being free of chelating agents, sequestering agents, antioxidants, and preservatives, and containing less than 0.05% by weight of albuterol aldehyde and less than 1 ppm dissolved oxygen; enclosing the oxygen-permeable container under an atmosphere containing less than about 2% by weight oxygen within an oxygen-impermeable wrapper to produce a package enclosing an atmosphere containing less than about 2% by weight oxygen, and which does not contain an oxygen-absorbent. 2. A stable packaged preservative-free pharmaceutical formulation consisting essentially of: albuterol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; sodium chloride; and water; said formulation having a pH of about 4, containing less than 0.08% by weight of albuterol aldehyde and less than 1 ppm dissolved oxygen, enclosed within an oxygen-permeable permeable plastic container, and remaining at less than 0.08% by weight of albuterol aldehyde after storage at 40.degree. C. for six months; wherein said formulation does not contain a chelating agent, a sequestering agent, an antioxidant, or a preservative. 3. A stable packaged pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 2 wherein said oxygen-permeable plastic container additionally encloses a gases phase comprising less than about 5% oxygen. 4. A stable packaged pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 2 wherein said oxygen-permeable plastic container is enclosed within a sealed wrapper comprising an oxygen-impermeable material. 5. A stable packaged pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 4 wherein said sealed wrapper additionally encloses a gas phase contained within the sealed wrapper and comprising less than about 5% by weight oxygen. 6. A stable packaged pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 4 wherein a plurality of oxygen-permeable plastic containers are enclosed within said sealed wrapper. 7. A stable packaged pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 2 wherein said albuterol is (R)-albuterol. 8. A stable packaged pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 7 wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salt is (R)-albuterol hydrochloride. 9. A stable packaged pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 2 wherein said oxygen-impermeable material is a foil laminate. 10. A stable packaged pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 2 wherein said oxygen-permeable material is low density polyethylene. 11. A preservative-free unit dosage formulation for administration by inhalation consisting essentially of: 0.18-1.4 mg albuterol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; 27 mg sodium chloride; and 2-4 mL water; said unit dosage formulation having a pH of about 4, containing less than 1 ppm dissolved oxygen and containing less than 0.08% by weight of albuterol aldehyde after storage at 40.degree. C. for six months; wherein said unit dosage formulation does not contain a chelating agent, a sequestering agent, an antioxidant, or a preservative. 12. A stable, preservative-free packaged pharmaceutical formulation, packaged according to the method of claim 1, said formulation comprising: albuterol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; sodium chloride; and having a pH of about 4, containing less than 0.08% by weight of albuterol aldehyde and less than 1 ppm dissolved oxygen, and remaining at less than 0.08% by weight of albuterol aldehyde after storage at 40.degree. C. for six months; wherein said formulation does not contain a ch elating agent, a sequestering agent, an antioxidant, or a preservative. agent, an antioxidant, or a preservative. 13. A stable, preservative-free packaged pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 12, wherein said albuterol is (R)-albuterol. 14. A stable, preservative-free packaged pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 12 wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salts is (R)-albuterol hydrochloride. 15. A stable, preservative-free packaged pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 12 wherein said oxygen-impermeable material is a foil laminate. 16. A stable, preservative-free packaged pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 12 wherein said oxygen-permeable material is low density polyethylene. 17. A method according to claim 1 wherein said albutrol is (R)-albuterol. 18. A method according to claim 1 wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salt is (R)-albuterol hydrochloride. 19. A method according to claim 1 wherein said oxygen-impermeable wrapper comprises a foil laminate. 20. A method according to claim 1 wherein said oxygen-permeable container comprises low density polethylene.