Pulmonary Delivery for Levodopa
In one aspect, the invention is related to a method of treating a patient with Parkinson's disease, the method including administering to the respiratory tract of the patient particles that include more than about 90 weight percent (wt %) of levodopa. The particles are delivered to the patient's pulmonary system, preferably to the alveoli or the deep lung.
1 . A composition of dry powder particles formulated for pulmonary delivery comprising about 75 weight percent levodopa or more and sodium chloride.
2 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the particles further comprise a phospholipid or a combination of phospholipids.
3 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the particles have a tap density about 0.4 g/cm 3 or less.
4 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the particles have a volume median geometric diameter about 5 micrometers or more.
5 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the particles have an aerodynamic diameter of from about 1 micrometer to about 5 micrometers.
6 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the particles have an aerodynamic diameter of from about 1 micrometer to about 3 micrometers.
7 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the particles have an aerodynamic diameter of from about 3 micrometer to about 5 micrometers.
8 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the particles have a tap density about 0.3 g/cm 3 or less.
9 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the particles have a tap density about 0.2 g/cm 3 or less.
10 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the particles have a tap density about 0.1 g/cm 3 or less.
11 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the particles comprise about 10% or less by weight of sodium chloride.
12 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the particles comprise about 5% or less by weight of sodium chloride.
13 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the particles comprise about 2% or less by weight of sodium chloride.
14 . The composition of claim 2 , wherein the phospholipid is dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC).
15 . A composition of dry powder particles consisting essentially of about 75% or more levodopa, sodium chloride and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine.
16 . A composition of dry powder particles consisting essentially of levodopa, sodium chloride and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, wherein the ratio of levodopa:dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine:sodium chloride is about 90:8:2.