METHOD FOR DEPOT CREATION DURING TRANSDERMAL DRUG DELIVERY

1 . A method for extended release of donepezil, comprising:

applying to a first skin site on a subject an adhesive matrix comprising between about 5-50 wt % donepezil and between about 5-40 wt % of an ester of a dicarboxylic acid;

allowing the adhesive matrix to remain on the skin for about 24 hours to create a first donepezil depot in the subject;

removing the adhesive matrix from the skin; and

continuing to administer donepezil from the donepezil depot after said removing.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising contacting skin of the subject with a second transdermal device comprising an adhesive matrix comprised of between about 5-50 wt % donepezil base and between about 5-40 wt % of dimethyl succinate.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein said contacting skin with a second transdermal device comprises contacting at the first skin site.

4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein contacting skin with a second transdermal device comprises contacting at a second skin site that is different from the first skin site.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein said contacting at a second skin site creates a second donepezil depot.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the second donepezil depot is created before exhaustion of the first donepezil depot.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first donepezil depot is created in the skin of the subject.

8 . The method of claim 2 , wherein said contacting with a second transdermal device is performed during the period of donepezil administration from the first donepezil depot.

9 . The method claim 1 , wherein the ester of a dicarboxylic acid is selected from dimethyl succinate and diethyl succinate.

10 . The method claim 1 , wherein the adhesive matrix further comprises between about 1-20 wt % of a permeation enhancer selected from a fatty acid, an α-hydroxy acid, a β-hydroxy acid, and a keto carboxylic acid.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the permeation enhancer is a fatty acid selected from oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and levulinic acid.

12 . A method for administering donepezil, comprising:

contacting skin of a subject with a transdermal device comprising an adhesive matrix comprised of between about 5-50 wt % donepezil base and between about 5-40 wt % of dimethyl succinate;

allowing the adhesive matrix to remain on the skin for a time sufficient to create a donepezil depot in the skin;

removing the transdermal device from the skin; and

continuing to administer donepezil from the donepezil depot after said removing for a period of at least about 6 hours.

13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising contacting skin of the subject with a second transdermal device comprising an adhesive matrix comprised of between about 5-50 wt % donepezil base and between about 5-40 wt % of dimethyl succinate, where said second transdermal device is contacted at a same or a different site on the skin.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein said contacting with a second transdermal device is performed during the period of donepezil administration from the donepezil depot.

15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein said continuing to administer donepezil from the donepezil depot after said removing is for a period of between about 6-48 hours.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein said continuing to administer provides a therapeutically effective amount of donepezil to the subject for at least about half of the period.

17 . The method claim 12 , wherein said allowing the adhesive matrix to remain on the skin for a time sufficient to create a donepezil depot in the skin comprises a time of at least about 12 hours.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the time sufficient to create a donepezil depot is between about 12-48 hours.