EP0656779B1 — Submicron emulsions as ocular drug delivery vehicles

USPTO Abstract

An ocular drug delivery vehicle of an oil-in-water submicron emulsion comprising about 0.5 to 50% of a first component of an oil, about 0.1 to 10% of a second component of an emulsifier, about 0.05 to 5% of a non-ionic surfactant and an aqueous component, with the mean droplet size being in the submicron range, i.e., below about 0.5 mu m and preferably between about 0.1 and 0.3 mu m. Also, topical pharmaceutical compositions containing a drug such as an anti-glaucoma drug, beta adrenergic blocker or other autonomic system drug, a local anesthetic, a steroid, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, an antibiotic drug, an antifungal drug, an antiviral drug or combinations thereof and the vehicle described above. Methods of administering such vehicles or compositions to the eye of a patient while reducing irritation thereof and providing increased bioavailability of the drug.