Methods and compositions for rapid treatment of otitis externa
Methods for treating and preventing otitis externa with a course of treatment consisting of as little as a single dose are provided. The methods are practiced by topical administration of compositions having a lipid carrier, such as liposomes and non-vesicular lipids, to the outer ear canal. Such compositions lack viscocity-enhancing celluloses or adhesives, and are preferably not in the form of a gel. Active agents useful for treating pain, inflammation, fungal or parasitic infestation and/or infections in the outer ear are co-administered in or with the composition.
1. A method for treating an existing otitis externa infection and sequelae thereof in a mammal, comprising topically applying a single dose of a pharmaceutically acceptable composition to the outer ear canal of the mammal to resolve the infection within 14 days of dosing, wherein the composition:
(i) does not include viscosity-enhancing celluloses or adhesive components,
(ii) is not in the form of a gel; and
(iii) comprises a lipid carrier and at least two active agents selected from the group consisting of antibiotics, anti-fungals, anti-parasitics, anti-virals, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, analgesics, anesthetics and steroids.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the lipid carrier is a lipid vesicle.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein one active agent in said composition is an antibiotic.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein one active agent in said composition is an anti-fungal.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein one active agent in said composition is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
6. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the antibiotic is selected from the group consisting of quinolone antibiotics, penicillin antibiotics, macrolide antibiotics, cephalosporin antibiotics, sulfa antibiotics, and beta-lactamase inhibitors.
7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein said antibiotic comprises thiamphenicol.
8. The method according to claim 4 , wherein said anti-fungal is an allylamine anti-fungal agent.
9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the allylamine is terbinafine.
10. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the NSAID is diclofenac.
11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the active agents are an antibiotic, an anti-fungal and a NSAID.
12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the antibiotic is thiamphenicol, the anti-fungal is terbinafine and the NSAID is diclofenac.
13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the terbinafine is provided in a concentration of 1 to 1.5% w/w of the composition.
14. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the diclofenac is provided in a concentration of 0.5% w/w of the composition.
15. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the composition further includes an oil-insoluble preservative.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the infection and sequelae thereof are clinically resolved within 14 days of administration.