Method and composition for delivering zinc to the nasal membrane
A viscous gel for delivering minor effective amounts of active substances through the nasal membrane into the body.
1. A gel composition for delivering zinc to a nasal membrane, the gel composition consisting of:
about 0.185 wt % to about 2.8 wt % zinc gluconate;
about 90 wt % to about 99 wt % water;
about 0.05 wt % to about 5 wt % glycerin;
about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt % thickener selected from the group consisting of carrageenan, sugar, guar gum, methylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and carbohydrate;
about 0.000001 wt % to about 5 wt % of an agent that facilitates the breakup and drying of mucous in the nose, wherein said agent is not zinc; and
about 0.000001 to about 5 wt % of a permeation enhancer.
2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the thickener is hydroxyethyl cellulose.
3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said agent includes sodium chloride.
4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein zinc gluconate is present in an amount range of from about 0.9 wt % to about 2 wt %.
5. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said thickener is present in an amount range of from about 0.1 wt % to about 3 wt %.
6. A method of administering an effective amount of zinc, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a gel composition consisting of
about 0.185 wt % to about 2.8 wt % zinc gluconate,
about 90 wt % to about 99 wt % water,
about 0.05 wt % to about 5 wt % glycerin,
about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt % thickener selected from the group consisting of carrageenan, sugar, guar gum, methylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and carbohydrate,
about 0.000001 wt % to about 5 wt % of an agent that facilitates the breakup and drying of mucous in the nose, wherein said agent is not zinc; and
about 0.00000 1 to about 5 wt % of a permeation enhancer; and
applying an effective amount of the gel composition to a portion of a nasal membrane.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the thickener in the gel composition is hydroxyethyl cellulose.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein said agent in the gel composition includes sodium chloride.
9. The method of claim 6 , wherein zinc gluconate is present in the gel composition in an amount range of from about 0.9 wt % to about 2 wt %.
10. The method of claim 6 , wherein said thickener is present in the gel composition in an amount range of from about 0.1 wt % to about 3 wt %.