Transdermal delivery of cannabidiol
View Patent ↗The present invention overcomes the problems associated with existing drug delivery systems by delivering cannabinoids transdermally. Preferably, the cannabinoids are delivered via an occlusive body (i.e., a patch) to alleviate harmful side effects and avoid gastrointestinal (first-pass) metabolism of the drug by the patient. A first aspect of the invention provides a method for relieving symptoms associated with illness or associated with the treatment of illness in a mammalian subject, comprising the steps of selecting at least one cannabinoid from the group consisting of cannabinol, cannabidiol, nabilone, levonantradol, (−)-HU-210, (+)-HU-210, 11-hydroxy-Δ 9 -THC, Δ 8 -THC-11-oic acid, CP 55,940, and R(+)-WIN 55,212-2, selecting at least one permeation enhancer from the group consisting of propylene glycol monolaurate, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, an oleoyl macrogolglyceride, a caprylocaproyl macrogolglyceride, and an oleyl alcohol, and delivering the selected cannabinoid and permeation enhancer transdermally to treat an illness.
1. A method of transdermally administering cannabidiol through the skin of a subject and into the systemic circulation for treating arthritis comprising:
applying to the skin of the subject a pharmaceutical composition which comprises:
cannabidiol; and
(ii) a permeation enhancer consisting of diethylene glycol monoethyl ether.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein diethylene glycol monoethyl ether is present in an amount of about 6% by volume of the pharmaceutical composition.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition further comprises an analgesic.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the analgesic is an opiate.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition further comprises one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients to create a transdermal dosage form selected from the group consisting of: gels, ointments, cataplasms, poultices, pastes, creams, lotions, plasters and jellies.
6. A method of transdermally administering cannabidiol through the skin of a subject and into the systemic circulation comprising:
applying to the skin of the subject a pharmaceutical composition which comprises:
(i) cannabidiol; and
(ii) a permeation enhancer consisting of diethylene glycol monoethyl ether.