GALENICAL PREPARATIONS OF DAPSONE AND RELATED SULPHONES, AND METHOD OF THERAPEUTIC AND PREVENTATIVE TREATMENT OF DISEASE

摘要

Dapsone and related sulfones are known to have therapeutic activity against leprosy, dermatitis herpetiformis, actinomycotic mycetoma, asthma, malaria, rheumatoid arthritis, Kaposiís sarcoma, pneumocystis carinií (pneumonia), subcorneal pustular dermatosis and cystic acne, in patients in need of such therapy. These sulfones are also known to have therapeutic activity against memory loss in patients in need of such therapy, including patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease and related neurodegenerative disorders. It has now been found that new, modified-release formulations of dapsone and related sulfones may also be used that decrease side effects and increase effectiveness of the drugs. New methods are disclosed utilizing certain formulations of dapsone and related sulfones that improve the therapeutic index of said drugs. Side effects of these drugs are known to those skilled in the art and include, but are not restricted to anorexia, psychosis, agranulocytosis, peripheral neuritis, hemolysis, methemoglobinemia, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, tachycardia, nervousness, insomnia and skin disorders. Modified-release (as defined herein) formulations of dapsone have now been found to avoid some or all of these side effects, and to have more efficacy on potency.