Vaporized medicants and methods of use
A method and formulation for delivering an active analgesic compound, such as an opiate, in a vaporized state using low temperatures to vaporize the formulation. The formulation contains an inert non-reactive compound that lowers the heat of vaporization of the formulation, and the active compound. The formulation may optionally contain glycerin, alcohol, and/or water. Examples of inert non-reactive compounds that can sufficiently lower the heat of vaporization of the formulation include propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin and polysorbate. The formulation can be vaporized using a hand-held low temperature vaporizer or atomizer.
1. A method for delivering medicants through inhalation, comprising:
a. acquiring a medicant solution suitable for vaporization, the medicant solution, comprising:
i. an excipient comprising propylene glycol present at approximately 1 percent to approximately 30 percent of the excipient, vegetable glycerin present at approximately 1 percent to approximately 30 percent of the excipient, water present at approximately 0.01 percent to approximately 30 percent of the excipient, and alcohol present at approximately 0.01 percent to approximately 30 percent of the excipient, and
ii. fentanyl; and
b. vaporizing the medicant solution at a temperature ranging from approximately 90 degrees C. to approximately 385 degrees C. such that an effective serving of the medicant solution is provided to a user for inhalation, wherein the step of vaporizing the medicant solution comprises using a vaporizer.
2. A method for delivering medicants through inhalation, comprising:
a. acquiring a medicant solution suitable for vaporization, the medicant solution, comprising:
i. an excipient comprising an inert non-reactive compound, and
ii. an analgesic; and
b. vaporizing the medicant solution at a temperature ranging from approximately 90 degrees C. to approximately 385 degrees C. such that an effective serving of the analgesic is provided to the user for inhalation using a low temperature vaporizer with a mouthpiece.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the inert non-reactive compound is polysorbate.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the polysorbate is present at a concentration of at least about 1 percent of the excipient.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the polysorbate is present at a concentration of at least about 10 percent of the excipient.
6. The method of claim 3 , wherein the polysorbate is present at a concentration of at least about 30 percent of the excipient.
7. The method of claim 3 , wherein the polysorbate is present at a concentration of at least about 70 percent of the excipient.
8. The method of claim 3 , wherein the polysorbate is present at a concentration of at least about 85 percent of the excipient.
9. The method of claim 3 , wherein the polysorbate comprises about 100 percent of the excipient.
10. The method of claim 3 , wherein the temperature is about 90 degrees C. to about 120 degrees C.
11. The method of claim 2 , wherein the excipient comprises any one or more polysorbate compound selected from the group consisting of polysorbate 20, polysorbate 40, polysorbate 60, and polysorbate 80.
12. The method of claim 2 , wherein the inert non-reactive compound is propylene glycol.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the propylene glycol is present at a concentration of at least about 1 percent of the excipient.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the propylene glycol is present at a concentration of at least about 10 percent of the excipient.
15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the propylene glycol is present at a concentration of at least about 30 percent of the excipient.
16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the propylene glycol is present at a concentration of at least about 70 percent of the excipient.
17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the propylene glycol is present at a concentration of at least about 85 percent of the excipient.
18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the propylene glycol comprises 100 percent of the excipient.
19. The method of claim 12 , wherein the temperature is from approximately 170 degrees C. to approximately 200 degrees C.
20. The method of claim 12 , wherein the excipient further comprises glycerin.
21. The method of claim 2 wherein the inert non-reactive compound is glycerin.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the glycerin is present at a concentration of at least about 1 percent of the excipient.
23. The method of claim 21 , wherein the glycerin is present at a concentration of at least about 10 percent of the excipient.
24. The method of claim 21 , wherein the glycerin is present at a concentration of at least about 30 percent of the excipient.
25. The method of claim 21 , wherein the glycerin is present at a concentration of at least about 70 percent of the excipient.
26. The method of claim 21 , wherein the glycerin is present at a concentration of at least about 85 percent of the excipient.
27. The method of claim 21 , wherein the glycerin comprises about 100 percent of the excipient.
28. The method of claim 21 , wherein the temperature is from approximately 250 degrees C. to approximately 280 degrees C.
29. The method of claim 2 , wherein the analgesic is an opioid.
30. The method of claim 29 , wherein the analgesic is selected from the group consisting of morphine, codeine, thebaine, heroin, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, oxymorphone, fentanyl, buprenorphine, and methadone.
31. The method of claim 30 , wherein the analgesic is fentanyl.