Transdermal delivery of cannabidiol
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 transdermal pharmaceutical composition for delivery of cannabidiol into the systemic circulation comprising:
(a) cannabidiol and
(b) a permeation enhancer consisting of diethylene glycol monoethyl ether.
2. The transdermal pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein the permeation enhancer is present in an amount of about 6% by volume of the pharmaceutical composition.
3. The transdermal pharmaceutical composition 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.
4. A transdermal pharmaceutical composition for delivery of cannabidiol into the systemic circulation comprising an occlusive body comprising:
(a) an impermeable backing;
(b) a rate-controlling microporous membrane, said backing and membrane defining a cavity there between;
(c) the cannabidiol and diethylene glycol monoethyl ether composition of claim 1 disposed within the cavity; and
(d) a viscous flowable gel confined between the backing and the membrane within the cavity for immobilizing the cannabinoid and the permeation enhancer.
5. The transdermal pharmaceutical composition of claim 4 , further comprising an adhesive for attaching the occlusive body to a patient's skin and wherein the cannabinoid and permeation enhancer are released through the membrane to the patient's skin.
6. The transdermal pharmaceutical composition of claim 4 , wherein the occlusive body is a patch.
7. The transdermal pharmaceutical composition of claim 4 , wherein the membrane has an exterior surface coated with an adhesive.
8. The transdermal pharmaceutical composition of claim 7 , wherein the adhesive is a silicone-based adhesive.
9. The transdermal pharmaceutical composition of claim 4 , wherein the membrane is hydrophobic and the cavity includes a hydrophilic wetting agent.
10. The transdermal pharmaceutical composition of claim 4 , wherein the cavity includes water and a surfactant selected from a viscosity modifier and a gelling agent.
11. The transdermal pharmaceutical composition of claim 10 , wherein the surfactant comprises methyl cellulose.