METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SUBLINGUAL DRUG DELIVERY USING IONTOPHORESIS

摘要

Methods, devices and kits for sublingual drug delivery using iontophoresis are described herein. An active agent can be administered sublingually by placing a solid oral dosage form containing the active agent in the sublingual region of a patient and applying iontophoresis for a suitable period of time. Preferably up to 4 mA of current are applied to the sublingual region. Different time ranges can be used to administer iontophoresis; preferably iontophoresis is administered for up to 2 minutes at a time. Any suitable device for administering iontophoresis to the sublingual region may be used. The preferred device is a hand-held device that contains a handle, two electrodes, one of which is located on the handle and the other of which is attached to the end of the handle, and a connection to a power source. Optionally, the device contains a timer, which can be used turn off the current at a preset time. The device can be used to administer an active agent by iontophoresis to the sublingual region of a patient, by attaching the second electrode of the device to a solid oral dosage form containing the active agent to be administered. A kit contains the device for administering iontophoresis and one or more solid oral dosage forms, preferably in the form of one or more tabs or wafers. The tabs or wafers may be completely dissolvable or edible, or may contain a non-edible and non-dissolvable component. In a preferred embodiment, the solid oral dosage form contains insulin or an analog thereof and one or more excipients, preferably EDTA and citric acid.