Field of the invention

The present invention relates to the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions comprising azelastine hydrochloride and fluticasone propionate for the symptomatic treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis in patients 6 years of age and older, wherein the suspending agent is used in certain weight, wherein the preparation process have a specific homogenization time and rate.

Background of the invention

Azelastine is a selective antihistamine, and Azelastine HCI has a chemical name as (±)-l- (2H)-phthalazinone, 4-[(4-chlorophenyl) methyl] -2-(hexahydro- 1-methyl- lH-azepin-4-yl)- monohydrochloride and its chemical structure is shown in the Figure 1.

Figure 1

Azelastine HCI is indicated for the relief of the symptoms of allergic rhinitis including seasonal allergic rhinitis and perennial allergic rhinitis for single therapy use. Azelastine hydrochloride has molecular weight of 521 g/mol, white to almost white crystalline powder.

Fluticasone is a synthetic trifluorinated glucocorticoid receptor agonist with antiallergic, antiinflammatory and antipruritic effects. It is used in the form of its propionate ester for treatment of allergic rhinitis. It has a role as an anti ■■allergic agent and an anti-asthmatic drug.

Fluticasone propionate is a synthetic trifluorinated glucocorticoid receptor agonist with antiallergic, antiinflammatory and antipruritic effects. It has a chemical name as S- (fluoromethyl)-6a,9-difluoro- 11 p, 17-dihydroxy- 16a-methyl-3-oxoandrosta- 1 , 4-diene- 17p- carbothioate, 17-propanoate and its chemical structure is shown in the Figure 2. Fluticasone propionate has a molecular weight of 500.6 g/mol with melting point 261-273 °C.

Figure 2

Azelastine HC1 and fluticasone propionate combination has been used in EU with the trade name Dymista Nasal Spray and is indicated for seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Complications that may be associated with allergic rhinitis include reduced quality of life, decreased concentration and focus problem, problems remembering things, sleep disorders, worsening asthma, more motor vehicle accidents, sinusitis and ear infection.

Alternative to oral and intarvascular route, nasal administration is an effective way of systemic delivery. Some of the critical points to nasal formulation process: high water solubility, sufficient chemical stability, pleasant smell or taste, favourable nasal absorption parameters, minimum nasal irritation, low dose and non toxic metabolites.

Nasal spray formulations may be water-based, hydroalcoholic, nonaqueous, suspensions, or emulsions. A formulation can include diverse excipients, including solvents, mucoadhesive agents, buffers, antioxidants, preservatives, and penetration enhancers (i.e., compounds to improve absorption or penetration).

Specific properties of product development process for liquid preparations such as nasal spray are phyicochemical properties of active ingredient, vehicle, pH and buffer capacity, osmotic value, viscosity and appearance/smell/taste.

Aqueous nasal preparations may comprise excipients; to adjust the viscosity or to adjust stabilise the pH value or to increase the solubility of active ingredient or to stabilise the preparation. Administration device for nasal route should be designed without contamination.

One of the most important specifications for nasal sprays is viscosity. The main factors affected by viscosity are droplet size, droplet size distribution, penetration, bioequivalence etc. These factors are important for patient’s efficient use of medication.

Another important specification is spray pattern. A spray pattern refers to the shape of a fluid that is released from a pressurized source such a nasal spray product. Spray pattern effects of results of droplet size distribution, penetration, bioequivalence etc. The one of the important issue is thatthe suspending agent quantity influences the spray pattern, suspending agent ratio in total composition is critical in present invention. Summary of the invention

The present invention relates to the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions comprising azelastine HCI and fluticasone propionate and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients for the symptomatic treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis, wherein the suspending agent in certain weight based on the total composition weight, wherein the preparation process have a specific homogenization time and rate.

The present invention relates to the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions comprising azelastine HCI and fluticasone propionate and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients for the symptomatic treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis, wherein the suspending agent is used in % 1 to % 3 of total composition weight.

A nasal spray composition comprising azelastin hydrochloride and fluticasone propionate as active ingredients, suspending agents, chelating agents, surfactants, solvents, preservatives and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, wherein the time and rate for homogenization stages for the manufacturing process are used in the following; a) Purified water and at least one suspending agent are mixed while homogenization is applied for 15 minutes or less with a speed 2000 rpm or less, b) Purified water and surfactant are mixed, and fluticasone propionate is added to the mixture, c) Fluticasone mixture obtained in step b is included into the mixture obtained in step a while second homogenization is applied for 30 minutes or less with a speed 1000 rpm or less.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention relates to the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions comprising azelastin or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, fluticasone or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients.

The present invention relates to the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions comprising azelastin or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, fluticasone or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients, wherein the composition is used for the symptomatic treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.

The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions, comprising azelastine and/or one or more of its pharmacologically acceptable salts or esters thereof, particularly azelastine hydrochloride, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients.

The present invention provides compositions, particularly pharmaceutical compositions, comprising fluticasone and/or one or more of its pharmacologically acceptable salts or esters thereof, particularly fluticasone propionate, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients. The present invention relates to the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions comprising azelastine hydrochloride, fluticasone propionate, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients, wherein the composition is administered as nasal sprey.

The present invention relates to the preparation of a nasal spray compositions comprising

• azelastin hydrochloride,

• fluticasone propionate,

• at least one suspending agent,

• and one or more further pharmaceutically acceptable excipients,

• wherein the amount of suspending agent in the composition is from % 1 to %3 by weight to the total weight of the composition.

Related to this invention, a pharmaceutical composition comprising azelastin hydrochloride, fluticasone propionate, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, wherein the excipients are preferably suspending agents, chelating agents, surfactants, solvents, preservatives and other materials known to one of ordinary skill in the art and mixtures thereof.

Suitable suspending agents according to the present invention are selected from the group including, but are not limited to xanthan gum, guar gum, microcrystalline cellulose, methylcellulose (MC), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and other materials known to one of ordinary skill in the art and mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment, suspending agent can be a mixture of microcrystalline cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose sodium. Mixture ratio of these materials can be selected in different percent.

The present invention relates to the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions comprising azelastin hydrochloride, fluticasone propionate, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, wherein the composition comprising a suspending agent.

The present invention relates to the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions comprising azelastin hydrochloride, fluticasone propionate, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, wherein the suspending agent is preferably a mix of microcrystalline cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose sodium.

In one embodiment, this invention relates to a preparation of pharmaceutical compositions comprising azelastin hydrochloride, fluticasone propionate, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, wherein the suspending agent quantity in total composition is very critical to have optimum spray pattern values.

Relating to this embodiment, suspending agent should be used in a total amount of 1 to 3% in weight based on the total composition weight, The pharmaceutical composition according to this invention, wherein the suspending agent is used from % 1 to % 3 of total composition weight, and preferably from % 1,5 to % 2,5 (w/w).

In this invention, a pharmaceutical composition comprising azelastin hydrochloride, fluticasone propionate, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, wherein the excipients are selected from the group including, but are not limited to suspending agents, chelating agents, surfactants, solvents, buffers, antioxidants, penetration enhancers, antimicrobial preservatives and other materials known to one of ordinary skill in the art and mixtures thereof.

Suitable chelating agents according to the present invention are selected from the group including, but are not limited to EDTA, disodium EDTA, citric acid and other materials known to one of ordinary skill in the art and mixtures thereof.

The present invention relates to the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions comprising azelastin hydrochloride, fluticasone propionate, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, wherein the chelating agent is preferably disodium EDTA.

Suitable surfactants according to the present invention are selected from the group including, but are not limited to heptadecaethylene oxycetanol, lecithins, sorbitol monooleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitol monooleate, polyoxyethylene stearate, polyoxyethylen sorbitan monolaurate, benzalkonium chloride, nonoxynol 10, oxtoxynol 9, polysorbates, for example polysorbate 20, polysorbate 40, polysorbate 60 or polysorbate 80, sorbitan monopalmitate, sodium salts of fatty alcoholsulfates such as sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium dodecylsulfate, sodium salts of sulfosuccinates such as sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate, partially esters of fatty acids with alcohols such as glycerine monostearate, partially esters of fatty acids with sorbitans such as sorbitan monolaurate, partially esters of fatty acids with polyhydroxyethylene sorbitans such as polyethyleneglycol sorbitan monolaurate, - monostearate or -monooleate, ethers of fatty alcohols with polyhydroxyethylene, esters of fatty acids with polyhydroxyethylene, copolymers of ethylenoxide and propylenoxide (Pluronic®) and ethoxylated triglycerides and other materials known to one of ordinary skill in the art and mixtures thereof.

The present invention relates to the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions comprising azelastin hydrochloride, fluticasone propionate, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, wherein the surfactant is preferably polysorbate 80.

Suitable solvents/cosolvents according to the present invention are selected from the group including, but are not limited to ethanol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, isopropyl alcohol, purified water and other materials known to one of ordinary skill in the art and mixtures thereof.

The present invention relates to the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions comprising azelastin hydrochloride, fluticasone propionate, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, wherein the solvent is preferably purified water and the co-solvent is preferably glycerol. Suitable antimicrobial preservatives according to the present invention are selected from the group including, but are not limited to benzalkonium chloride, acetone sodium bisulfite, benzethonium chloride, benzoic acid, benzyl alcohol, boric acid, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylene glycol, calcium acetate, cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorhexidine, ethanol, glycerin, phenylethyl alcohol, phenoxyethanol, potassium metabisulfite, potassium nitrate, potassium sorbate, propionic acid, propylene glycol, propylparaben sodium, sodium acetate, sodium benzoate, sodium borate, sodium lactate, sodium metabisulfite, sodium propionate, sodium sulfite, sorbic acid, zinc oxide, and N-acetylcysteine, and other materials known to one of ordinary skill in the art and mixtures thereof.

The present invention relates to the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions comprising azelastin hydrochloride, fluticasone propionate, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, wherein the antimicrobial preservative is preferably phenylethyl alcohol and/or benzalkonium chloride.

Determined process steps are very critical in this invention. To optain optimum properties for a nasal spray product, process steps should be decided carefully.

Viscosity is one of the major criteria for nasal spray products. It effects spray pattern properties for nasal pharmaceutical product.

The present invention relates to the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions by using homogenization steps. Homogenization step refers applied time and speed properties.

The present invention relates to the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions comprising azelastin hydrochloride, fluticasone propionate, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients, wherein homogenization stages in the process are very critical to have optimal viscosity values.

Adding suspending agent and adding fluticasone propionate stages are crucial. At these stages, homogenization properties should be adjusted to have optimum viscosity values.

The present invention relates to the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions, while suspending agent and purified water mixing, homogenization is applied a certain time not exceeding 15 minutes, which speed not exceeding 2000 rpm.

The present invention relates to the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions, after fluticasone propionate adding, homogenization should be applied a certain time not exceeding 30 minutes, which speed not exceeding 1000 rpm.

In this invention, while suspending agent and purified water are mixing at the beginning of preparing process, homogenization is applied a certain time, which speed not exceeding 2000 rpm. And after fluticasone propionate is added to the mix, homogenization should be applied again which speed not exceeding 1000 rpm. The present invention relates to a process for preparing a nasal spray composition comprising azelastin hydrochloride, fluticasone propionate, at least one suspending agent, and one or more further pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, wherein the process comprises the steps of: a. Purified water and at least one suspending agent are mixed while homogenization is applied for 15 minutes or less with a speed 2000 rpm or less, b. Purified water and surfactant are mixed, and fluticasone propionate is added to the mixture, c. Fluticasone mixture obtained in step b is included into the mixture obtained in step a while second homogenization is applied for 30 minutes or less with a speed 1000 rpm or less.

In this invention, the term "allergic rhinitis" will be understood to include “allergic” irritation and/or inflammation, including seasonal rhinitis ( e.g. caused by outdoor agents such as pollen; hay fever) and/or perennial rhinitis ( e.g. caused by house dust mites, indoor mold etc), as well as the symptoms thereof.

The present pharmaceutical composition is described in the following example in more details. This example is not limiting the scope of the present invention and is to be considered accordingly foregoing detailed description.

Example 1: Azelastine HCl/Fluticasone Propionate 137 mcg/50 mcg Nasal Spray Unit Formula The process for the preparation of Azelastine HCl/Fluticasone Propionate 137 mcg/50 mcg nasal sprey according to the following process:

Stage 1 with homogenization:

A part of total purified water and suspending agent are mixed in the main tank. Along with mixing homogenization is also applied a certain time, homogenization speed not exceeding 2000 rpm.

Stage 2:

Some purified water in a certain percentage is taken in a separate tank and mixed with surfactant agent. Then fluticasone propionate is added to the mix and keep mixing at an appropriate speed and time.

Stage 3 with homogenization:

The mix of fluticasone propionate is taken in main tank. Also homogenization is applied a certain time, homogenization speed not exceeding 1000 rpm.

Stage 4:

The mix of fluticasone propionate is taken in main tank. Also homogenization is applied a certain time, homogenization speed not exceeding 1000 rpm.

Some purified water in a certain percentage is taken in a separate tank and mixed with chelating agent. Antimicrobial preservative is added to the mix in the separate tank at an appropriate speed and time. An other antimicrobial preservative is added to the mix and keep mixing at an appropriate speed and time.

After adding azelastine HC1 to the mix in the separate tank, the co-solvent is added to the mix and keep mixing at an appropriate speed and time. Then the separate tank content is transferred to the main tank. Remaining purified water is added lastly, so that final weight is completed and keep mixing at an appropriate speed and time.

Advantages

Instead of using two separate products of azelastin and fluticasone for use in the treatment, it is provided patient compliance who received the required amount pharmaceutically with single azelastin and fluticasone combination product.

Although nasal corticosteroids such as fluticasone are effective in all symptoms of allergic rhinitis, their maximum efficacy begins in about 2 weeks. A combination of nasal corticosteroid such as fluticasone and antihistamine such as azelastine is preferred to relieve the patient in a short time.

For the treatment of allergic rhinitis, a synergistic effect is expected for a more effective treatment in short time using with the combination of azelastine and fluticasone active ingredients, which were previously used in mono form in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. The present invention provides pharmaceutical composition comprising azelastin hydrochloride, fluticasone propionate and relevant excipients, characterized by i) A simple and exclusive manufacturing process ii) Stable formulation

Nasal spray dosage form is cost-effective, easy to use and self-administrable, so it has high patient compliance.

When the spray pattern test results of the pharmaceutical composition performed, it has been observed that optimum spray pattern value is achieved by using the suspending agent in a certain ratio to the total composition weight. This ratio is 1-3% in weight based on the total composition weight. Preferably, 1,5-2.5% in weight based on the total composition weight.

According to the viscosity test results, it is obtained also optimum viscosity value for pharmaceutical composition comprising azelastin hydrochloride, fluticasone propionate active ingredients, by using a homogenizer during the manufacturing process at certain stages and in a certain period of time.

Viscosity tests

Viscosity test values for pharmaceutical nasal spray compositions are one of the essential parameters for process development and nasal spray manufacturing. The viscosity affects droplet size, droplet size distribution, penetration, bioequivalence etc. These factors are important for patient’s efficient use of medication.

General properties of relevant batches (reference product and test product) are shown in Table2.

Table 2: Summary of Batches Used in Viscosity Tests

The results of Dymista - 137 mcg/50 mcg Nasal Spray (Reference product) and Azelastine HCl/Fluticasone Propionate - 137 mcg/50 mcg Nasal Spray (Test product) are compared. Table 3: Average Viscosity Results for Dymista-137 mcg/50 mcg Nasal Spray (Reference Product)

According to the test results, average viscosity value of reference product Dymista is between 35-40 cP. To achieve similar viscosity results also in test product, attention should be paid to homogenization stage in the manufacturing process. The two homogenization steps in the process are in the order described below.

Stage 1 with homogenization:

A part of total purified water and suspending agent are mixed in the main tank. Along with mixing homogenization is also applied a certain time, homogenization speed not exceeding 2000 rpm.

Stage 2:

Some purified water in a certain percentage is taken in a separate tank and mixed with surfactant agent. Then fluticasone propionate is added to the mix and keep mixing at an appropriate speed and time.

Stage 3 with homogenization:

The mix of fluticasone propionate is taken in main tank. Also homogenization is applied a certain time, homogenization speed not exceeding 1000 rpm.

Stage 4:

The mix of fluticasone propionate is taken in main tank. Also homogenization is applied a certain time, homogenization speed not exceeding 1000 rpm.

Some purified water in a certain percentage is taken in a separate tank and mixed with chelating agent. Antimicrobial preservative is added to the mix in the separate tank at an appropriate speed and time. An other antimicrobial preservative is added to the mix and keep mixing at an appropriate speed and time.

After adding azelastine HC1 to the mix in the separate tank, the co-solvent is added to the mix and keep mixing at an appropriate speed and time. Then the separate tank content is transferred to the main tank. Remaining purified water is added lastly, so that final weight is completed and keep mixing at an appropriate speed and time.

In this invention, viscosity testing for test product has been performed at regular intervals during keeping the final mix on hold for a week. Table 4: Average Viscosity Results for Azelastine HCl/Fluticasone Propionate- 137 mcg/50 mcg Nasal Spray (Test Product)

As the homogenization time and rate in the manufacturing process decreases, the viscosity values of test product approaches the viscosity values of reference product Dymista.