CA2218369C

CA2218369C - Transdermal electrotransport delivery of fentanyl and sufentanil

Info

Publication number: CA2218369C
Application number: CA2218369A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Mary Southam; Keith Jan Bernstein; Henk Noorduin
Original assignee: Alza Corp
Current assignee: Alza Corp
Priority date: 1995-06-05
Filing date: 1996-05-22
Publication date: 2010-02-09
Anticipated expiration: 2016-05-22
Also published as: ZA964321B; DE69632131D1; NO975477D0; PT836511E; KR100453140B1; JP2001516227A; JP4339280B2; KR19990022349A; US6171294B1; NL1003273C2; ATE263597T1; MX9709644A; GR960100179A; NL1003273A1; ATA903596A; DE122006000022I1; WO1996039222A1; CN1147329C; CN1187140A; BR9609358A

Abstract

The invention provides an improved electrotransport drug delivery system for analgesic drugs, namely fentanyl and sufentanil. The fentanyl/sufentanil is provided as a water soluble salt (e.g., fentanyl hydrochloride), preferably in a hydrogel formulation, for use in an electrotransport device (10). In accordance with the present invention, a transdermal electrotransport delivered dose of fentanyl/sufentanil is provided which is sufficient to induce analgesia in (e.g., adult) human patients suffering from moderate-to-severe pain associated with major surgical procedures.

Description

~ TRANSDERMALELECTROTRANSPORT

a TECHNICAL FIELD
6 The invention relates generally to improved electrotransport drug 7 delivery. Specifically, the invention relates to a device, composition and s method for improved electrotransport delivery of analgesic drugs, particularly 9 fentanyl and analogs of fentanyl. A composition is provided in the form of a hydrogel formulation for use in~ an electrotransport device.

14 The transdermal delivery of drugs, by diffusion through the epidermis, offers improvements over more traditional delivery methods, such as 16 subcutaneous injections and oral delivery. Transdermal drug delivery avoids 17 the hepatic first pass effect encountered with oral drug delivery.
Transdermal 18 drug delivery also eliminates patient discomfort associated with subcutaneous 19 injections. In addition, transdermal delivery can provide more uniform concentrations of drug in the bloodstream of the patient over time due to the 21 extended controlled delivery profiles of certain types of transdermal delivery 22 devices. The term "transdermal" delivery, broadly encompasses the delivery 23 of an agent through a body surface, such as the skin, mucosa, or nails of 24 an animal.
The skin functions as the primary barrier to the transdermal penetration 26 of materials into the body and represents the body's major resistance to the 27 transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents such as drugs. To date, efforts 28 have been focused on reducing the physical resistance or enhancing the 29 permeability of the skin for the delivery of drugs by passive diffusion.

1 Various methods for increasing the rate of transdermal drug flux have been 2 attempted, most notably using chemical flux enhancers.
3 Other approaches to increase the rates of transdermal drug delivery 4 include use of alternative energy sources such as electrical energy and ultrasonic energy. Electrically assisted transdermal delivery is also referred to 6 as electrotransport. The term "electrotransport" as used herein refers 7 generally to the delivery of an agent (e.g., a drug) through a membrane, 8 such as skin, mucous membrane, or nails. The delivery is induced or aided s by application of an electrical potential. For example, a beneficial therapeutic agent may be introduced into the systemic circulation of a human body by 11 electrotransport delivery through the skin. A widely used electrotransport 12 process, electromigration (also called iontophoresis), involves the electrically 13 induced transport of charged ions. Another type of electrotransport, 14 electroosmosis, involves the flow of a liquid, which liquid contains the agent to be delivered, under the influence of an electric field. Still another type of 16 electrotransport process, electroporation, involves the formation of transiently-17 existing pores in a biological membrane by the application of an electric field.
18 An agent can be delivered through the pores either passively (i.e., without 19 electrical assistance) or actively (i.e., under the influence of an electric potential). However, in any given electrotransport process, more than one of 21 these processes, including at least some "passive" diffusion, may be 22 occurring simultaneously to a certain extent. Accordingly, the term 23 "electrotransport", as used herein, should be given its broadest possible 24 interpretation so that it includes the electrically induced or enhanced transport of at least one agent, which may be charged, uncharged, or a mixture thereof, 26 whatever the specific mechanism or mechanisms by which the agent actually 27 is transported.

1 Electrotransport devices use at least two electrodes that are in 2 electrical contact with some portion of the skin, nails, mucous membrane, 3 or other surface of the body. One electrode, commonly called the "donor"
4 electrode, is the electrode from which the agent is delivered into the body.
The other electrode, typically termed the "counter" electrode, serves to close 6 the electrical circuit through the body. For example, if the agent to be 7 delivered is positively charged, i.e., a cation, then the anode is the donor 8 electrode, while the cathode is the counter electrode which serves to s complete the circuit. Alternatively, if an agent is negatively charged, i.e., an anion, the cathode is the donor electrode and the anode is the 11 counter electrode. Additionally, both the anode and cathode may be 12 considered donor electrodes if both anionic and cationic agent ions, 13 or if uncharged dissolved agents, are to- be delivered.
14 Furthermore, electrotransport delivery systems generally require at least one reservoir or source of the agent to be delivered to the body.
16 Examples of such donor reservoirs include a pouch or cavity, a porous 17 sponge or pad, and a hydrophilic polymer or a gel matrix. Such donor 18 reservoirs are electrically connected to, and positioned between, the anode or 19 cathode and the body surface, to provide a fixed or renewable source of one or more agents or drugs. Eiectrotransport devices also have an electrical 21 power source such as one or more batteries. Typically at any one time, 22 one pole of the power source is electrically connected to the donor electrode, 23 while the opposite pole is electrically connected to the counter electrode.
24 Since it has been shown that the rate of electrotransport drug delivery is approximately proportional to the electric current applied by the device, 26 many electrotransport devices typically have an electrical controller that 27 controls the voltage and/or current applied through the electrodes, thereby 28 regulating the rate of drug delivery. These control circuits use a variety of 29 electrical components to control the amplitude, polarity, timing, waveform shape, etc. of the electric current and/or voltage supplied by the power source. See, for example, McNichols et al., U.S. Patent 5,047,007.

To date, commercial transdermal electrotransport drug delivery devices (e.g., the Phoresor, sold by Iomed, Inc. of Salt Lake City, UT; the Dupel Iontophoresis System sold by Empi, Inc. of St. Paul, MN; the Webster Sweat Inducer, model 3600, sold by Wescor, Inc. of Logan UT) have generally utilized a desk-top electrical power supply unit and a pair of skin contacting electrodes. The donor electrode contains a drug solution while the counter electrode contains a solution of a biocompatible electrolyte salt. The power supply unit has electrical controls for adjusting the amount of electrical current applied through the electrodes. The "satellite" electrodes are connected to the electrical power supply unit by long (e.g., 1-2 meters) electrically conductive wires or cables. The wire connections are subject to disconnection and limit the patient's movement and mobility. Wires between electrodes and controls may also be annoying or uncomfortable to the patient. Other examples of desk-top electrical power supply units which use "satellite" electrode assemblies are disclosed in Jacobsen et al., U.S. Patent 4,141, 359 (see Figures 3 and 4); LaPrade, U.S. Patent 5,006,108 (see Figure 9); and Maurer et al., U.S. Patent 5,254,081.

More recently, small self-contained electrotransport delivery devices have been proposed to be worn on the skin, sometimes unobtrusively under clothing, for extended periods of time. Such small self-contained electrotransport delivery devices are disclosed for example in Tapper, U.S. Patent 5,224,927; Sibalis, et al., U.S. Patent 5,224,928; and Haynes et al., U.S. Patent 5,246,418. WO 93/01807 describes a self-contained transdermal drug delivery system that has both an active drug reservoir that delivers a p,4~~~N~JED St*Ef drug by iontophoresis and a passive drug reservoir that delivers a drug by diffusion. A
system for transdermally delivering fentanyl is provided in one example and a system for transdermally delivering sufentanil is provided in another example. The document also describes a number of earlier patents and publications which relate to passive and iontophoretic transdermal drug delivery systems.

There have recently been suggestions to utilize electrotransport devices having a reusable controller which is adapted for use with multiple drug-containing units. The drug-containing units are simply disconnected from the controller when the drug becomes depleted and a fresh drug-containing unit is thereafter connected to the controller. In this way, ptv1ENDED S~E~

1 the relatively more expensive hardware components of the device 2 (e.g. batteries, LED's, circuit hardware, etc.) can be contained within the 3 reusable controller, and the relatively less expensive donor reservoir and 4 counter reservoir matrices can be contained in the single use/disposable drug-containing unit, thereby bringing down the overall cost of 6 electrotransport drug delivery. Examples of electrotransport devices 7 comprised of a reusable controller, removably connected to a drug-containing 8 unit are disclosed in Sage, Jr. et al., U.S. Patent 5,320,597; Sibalis, s U.S. Patent 5,358,483; Sibalis et al., U.S. Patent 5,135,479 (Fig. 12);
and Devane et al., UK Patent Application 2 239 803.
11 In further development of electrotransport devices, hydrogels have 12 become particularly favored for use as the drug and electrolyte reservoir 13 matrices, in part, due to the fact that water is the preferred liquid solvent for 14 use in electrotransport drug delivery due to its excellent biocompatibility compared with other liquid solvents such as alcohols and glycols.
16 Hydrogels have a high equilibrium water content and can quickly absorb 17 water. In addition, hydrogels tend to have good biocompatibility with the skin 18 and with mucosal membranes.
19 Of particular interest in transdermal delivery is the delivery of analgesic drugs for the management of moderate to severe pain. Control of the rate 21 and duration of drug delivery is particularly important for transdermal delivery 22 of analgesic drugs to avoid the potential risk of overdose and the discomfort 23 of an insufficient dosage.
24 One class of analgesics that has found application in a transdermal delivery route is the synthetic opiates, a group of 4-aniline piperidines.
26 The synthetic opiates, e.g., fentanyl and certain of its derivatives such as 27 sufentanil, are particularly well-suited for transdermal administration.
28 These synthetic opiates are characterized by their rapid onset of analgesia, 29 high potency, and short duration of action. They are estimated to be 80 and 1 800 times, respectively, more potent than morphine. These drugs are weak 2 bases, i.e., amines, whose major fraction is cationic in acidic media.
3 In an in vivo study to determine plasma concentration, Thysman and 4 Preat (Anesth. Analg. 77 (1993) pp. 61-66) compared simple diffusion of s fentanyl and sufentanil to electrotransport delivery in citrate buffer at pH
5.
6 Simple diffusion did not produce any detectable plasma concentration.
7 The plasma levels attainable depended on the maximum flux of the drug that 8 can cross the skin and the drug's pharmacokinetic properties, such as 9 clearance and volume of distribution. Electrotransport delivery was reported to have significantly reduced lag time (i.e., time required to achieve peak 11 plasma levels) as compared to passive transdermal patches 12 (1.5 h versus 14 h). The researchers' conclusions were that electrotransport 13 of these analgesic drugs can provide more rapid control of pain than classical 14 patches, and a pulsed release of drug (by controlling electrical current) was comparable to the constant delivery of classical patches. See, also, 16 e.g., Thysman et al. lnt. J. Pharma., 101 (1994) pp. 105-113; V. Preat et al.
17 lnt. J. Pharma., 96 (1993) pp. 189-196 (sufentanil); Gourlav et al. Pain, 18 37 (1989) pp. 193-202 (fentanyl); Sebel et al. Eur. J. Clin. Phannacol. 32 19 (1987) pp. 529-531 (fentanyl and sufentanil). Passive, i.e., by diffusion, and electrically-assisted transdermal delivery of narcotic analgesic drugs, such as 21 fentanyl, to induce analgesia, have also both been described in the patent 22 literature. See, for example, Gale et al., U.S. Patent 4,588,580, and 23 Theeuwes et al., U.S. Patent 5,232,438.
24 In the last several years, management of post-operative pain has looked to delivery systems other than electrotransport delivery. Particular 26 attention has been given to devices and systems which permit, within 27 predetermined limits, the patient to control the amount of analgesic the patient 28 receives. The experience with these types of devices has generally been that 29 patient control of the administration of analgesic has resulted in the administration of less analgesic to the patient than would have been 1 administered were the dosage prescribed by a physician. Self-administered 2 or patient controlled self-administration has become known (and will be 3 referred to herein) as patient-controlled analgesia (PCA).
4 Known PCA devices are typically electromechanical pumps which require large capacity electrical power sources, e.g., alternating current or 6 multiple large capacity battery packs which are bulky. Due to their bulk 7 and complexity, commercially available PCA devices generally require 8 the patient to be confined to a bed, or some other essentially fixed location.
9 Known PCA devices deliver drug to the patient by means of an intravenous line or a catheter which must be inserted into the intended vein, artery or 11 other organ by a qualified medical technician. This technique requires 12 that the skin barrier be breached in order to administer the analgesic.
13 (See, Zdeb U.S. Patent 5,232,448). Thus, as practiced using commercially 14 available PCA devices, PCA requires the presence of highly skilled medical technicians to initiate and supervise the operation of the PCA device along 16 with its attendant risk of infection. Further, commercially available PCA
17 devices themselves are somewhat painful to use by virtue of their 18 percutaneous (i.e., intravenous or subcutaneous) access.
19 The art has produced little in the way of transdermal electrotransport devices that can compete with the conventional PCAs in terms of the amount 21 of drug delivered to achieve adequate analgesia and in a patient controlled 22 manner. Further, little progress has been made to provide a hydrogel 23 formulation for analgesic electrotransport, particularly fentanyl transdermal 24 electrotransport delivery, that has long term stability and has performance characteristics comparable to the patient controlled electromechanical pumps 26 for, e.g., intravenous delivery of analgesic. There is need to provide an 27 analgesic formulation in a suitable device to take advantage of the 28 convenience of electrotransport delivery in a small, self-contained, 29 patient-controlled device.

3 The present invention provides a device for improved transdermal 4 electrotransport delivery of fentanyl and analogs of fentanyl, particularly sufentanil. As such, the device of the present invention provides a greater 6 degree of efficiency in electrotransport delivery of analgesic fentanyl or 7 sufentanil, concomitantly providing a greater measure of patient safety and 8 comfort in pain management. The foregoing, and other advantages of the 9 present invention, are provided by a device for delivering fentanyl or sufentanil through a body surface (e.g., intact skin) by electrotransport, 11 the device having a anodic donor reservoir containing an at least partially 12 aqueous solution of a fentanyl/sufentanil salt.
13 The present invention concerns a device for administering fentanyl or 14 sufentanil by transdermal electrotransport in order to treat moderate-to-severe pain associated with major surgical procedures. A transdermal 16 electrotransport dose of about 20 g to about 60 g of fentanyl, delivered 17 over a delivery interval of up to about 20 minutes, is therapeutically effective 18 in treating moderate-to-severe post-operative pain in human patients having 19 body weights above about 35 kg. Preferably, the amount of fentanyl delivered is about 35 g to about 45 g over a delivery interval of about 21 5 to 15 minutes, and most preferably the amount of fentanyl delivered is 22 about 40 g over a delivery interval of about 10 minutes. Since fentanyl 23 has a relatively short distribution half life once delivered into a human body 24 (i.e., about 3 hours), the device for inducing analgesia preferably includes means for maintaining the analgesia so induced. Thus the device for 26 transdermally delivering fentanyl by electrotransport preferably includes 27 means for delivering at least 1 additional, more preferably about 10 to 100 28 additional, and most preferably about 20 to 80 additional, like dose(s) of 29 fentanyl over subsequent like delivery interval(s) over a 24 hour period.
The ability to deliver multiple identical doses from a transdermal electrotransport 53422-2 (S) fentanyl delivery device also provides the capability of pain management to a wider patient population, in which different patients require different amounts of fentanyl to control their pain. By providing the capability of administering multiple small transdermal electrotransport fentanyl doses, the patients can titrate themselves to administer only that amount of fentanyl which is needed to control their pain, and no more.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a patient-worn device for transdermally delivering fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof by electrotransport and which allows a patient who is suffering from pain and who is wearing the device to obtain self-administered analgesia, the device comprising: a donor reservoir containing a donor reservoir formulation comprised of fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in a form to be delivered solely by electrotransport; a counter reservoir; a source of electrical power electrically connected to the donor reservoir and the counter reservoir; and a control circuit for controlling electrotransport current, the control circuit including a patient-controlled switch which activates the device and wherein the donor reservoir, the counter reservoir, the power source and the control circuit deliver solely by electrotransport a dose of about 20 g to about 60 g of fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof over a predetermined delivery period of up to about 20 minutes and terminate delivery at the end of said delivery period, and wherein the control circuit allows the patient to self-administer from about 10 to about 100 additional to said doses over a period of 24 hours.
According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a patient-worn device 53422-2 (S) 9a for transdermally delivering sufentanil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof by electrotransport and which allows a patient who is suffering from pain and who is wearing the device to obtain self-administered analgesia, the device comprising: a donor reservoir containing a donor reservoir formulation comprised of sufentanil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in a form to be delivered solely by electrotransport; a counter reservoir; a source of electrical power electrically connected to the donor reservoir and the counter reservoir;
and a control circuit for controlling electrotransport current, the control circuit including a patient-controlled switch which activates the device and wherein the donor reservoir, the counter reservoir, the power source and the control circuit deliver solely by electrotransport a dose of about 2.3 g to about 7.0 g of sufentanil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof over a predetermined delivery period of up to about 20 minutes and terminate delivery at the end of said delivery period, and wherein the control circuit allows the patient to self-administer from about 10 to about 100 additional of said doses over a period of 24 hours.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrotransport delivery container which allows a patient who is suffering from pain and who is wearing the container to obtain self-administered analgesia, the container comprising: a donor reservoir containing a donor reservoir formulation comprising fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in a form to be delivered solely by electrotransport; a counter reservoir; a source of electrical power electrically connected to the donor reservoir and the counter reservoir;
and a control circuit for controlling electrotransport 53422-2 (S) 9b current, the control circuit including a patient-controlled switch which activates the container and wherein the donor reservoir, the counter reservoir, the power source and the control circuit deliver solely by electrotransport a dose of about 20 g to about 60 g of fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof over a predetermined delivery period of up to about 20 minutes and terminate delivery at the end of said delivery period, and wherein the control circuit allows the patient to self-administer from about 10 to about 100 additional of said doses over a period of 24 hours.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrotransport delivery container which allows a patient who is suffering from pain and who is wearing the container to obtain self-administered analgesia, the container comprising: a donor reservoir containing a donor reservoir formulation comprised of sufentanil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in a form to be delivered solely by electrotransport; a counter reservoir; a source of electrical power electrically connected to the donor reservoir and the counter reservoir;
and a control circuit for controlling electrotransport current, the control circuit including a patient-controlled switch which activates the container and wherein the donor reservoir, the counter reservoir, the power source and the control circuit deliver solely by electrotransport a dose of about 2.3 g to about 7.0 g of sufentanil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof over a predetermined delivery period of up to about 20 minutes and terminate delivery at the end of said delivery period, and wherein the control circuit allows the patient to self-administer from about 10 to about 100 additional of said doses over a period of 24 hours.

53422-2(S) 9c Also provided are uses of the electrotransport delivery container of the invention for treating pain. The electrotransport delivery container of the invention may be contained in a commercial package, together with instructions for use.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a use of an electrotransport delivery device for transdermal delivery of fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a patient in the treatment of pain, the electrotransport delivery device comprising: a donor reservoir containing a formulation comprised of fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof suitable for electrotransport delivery; a counter reservoir; a source of electrical power electrically connected to the donor reservoir and the counter reservoir;
and a control circuit for controlling electrotransport current, the control circuit including a patient-controlled switch which activates delivery and wherein the donor reservoir, the counter reservoir, the power source and the control circuit deliver solely by electrotransport a dose of about 20 Ag to about 60 g of fentanyl or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof over a predetermined delivery period of up to about 20 minutes and terminate said delivery at the end of said delivery period, and wherein the control circuit is capable of allowing patient self-administration from about 10 to about 100 additional of said doses over a period of 24 hours.

According to still a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a use of an electrotransport delivery device for transdermal delivery of sufentanil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a patient in the treatment of pain, the electrotransport delivery device comprising: a donor reservoir containing a formulation 53422-2 (S) 9d comprised of sufentanil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in a form suitable for electrotransport delivery; a counter reservoir; a source of electrical power electrically connected to the donor reservoir and the counter reservoir; and a control circuit for controlling electrotransport current, the control circuit including a patient-controlled switch which activates the delivery and wherein the donor reservoir, the counter reservoir, the power source and the control circuit deliver solely by electrotransport a dose of about 2.3 g to about 7.0 g of sufentanil or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof over a predetermined delivery period of up to about 20 minutes and terminate said delivery at the end of said delivery period, and wherein the control circuit is capable of allowing patient self-administration from about 10 to about 100 additional of said doses over a period of 24 hours.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided use of an electrotransport delivery container for transdermal delivery of fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the container comprises a sufficient amount of the fentanyl or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for transdermal delivery solely by electrically induced or electrically enhanced transport to a patient in an amount of about 10 ug to about 60 g over a delivery period of up to about 20 minutes.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrontransport delivery container comprising a pharmaceutical formulation for transdermally delivering fentanyl solely by electrically induced or electrically enhanced transport to a patient in an amount of about 20 49 to about 60 g over a delivery 53422-2(S) 9e period of up to about 20 minutes, the container comprising:
a sufficient amount of an acceptable salt of fentanyl for transdermally delivering fentanyl solely by electrotransport to a patient in an amount of about 20 g to about 60 g over a delivery period of up to about 20 minutes; and water.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided use of an electrotransport delivery container for transdermal delivery of sufentanil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the container comprises a sufficient amount of the sufentanil or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for transdermal delivery solely by electrically induced or electrically enhanced transport to a patient in an amount of about 2.3 g to about 7.0 g over a delivery period of up to about 20 minutes.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrotransport delivery container comprising a pharmaceutical formulation for transdermally delivering sufentanil solely by electrically induced or electrically enhanced transport to a patient in an amount of about 2.3 g to about 7.0 g over a delivery period of up to about 20 minutes, the container comprising:
a sufficient amount of an acceptable salt of sufentanil for transdermally delivering sufentanil solely by electrotransport to a patient in an amount of about 2.3 g to about 7.0 g over a delivery period of up to about 20 minutes; and water.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a patient-worn device for transdermally delivering fentanyl by electrotransport to a human patient suffering from pain, comprising: a donor reservoir formulation comprised of a fentanyl salt solution;

53422-2 (S) 9f a counter reservoir; a source of electrical power electrically connected to said donor reservoir and said counter reservoir; and a control circuit for controlling electrotransport current, said control circuit including a switch which activates said device wherein said donor reservoir, said power source and said control circuit deliver a dose of about 20 g to about 60 g of fentanyl over a predetermined delivery period of up to about 20 minutes and terminate delivery at the end of said delivery period, and wherein said control circuit allows up to about 100 additional of said doses over a period of about 24 hours, and wherein said device delivers a therapeutically effective amount of fentanyl solely by electrically induced or electrically enhanced transport.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a patient-worn device for transdermally delivering sufentanil by electrotransport to a human patient suffering from pain, comprising: a donor reservoir formulation comprised of a sufentanil salt solution; a counter reservoir; a source of electrical power electrically connected to said donor reservoir and said counter reservoir; and a control circuit for controlling electrotransport current, said control circuit including a switch which activates said device, wherein said donor reservoir, said power source and said control circuit deliver by electrotransport a dose of about 2.3 g to about 7.0 g of sufentanil over a predetermined delivery period of up to about 20 minutes and terminate delivery at the end of said delivery period, and wherein said control circuit allows up to about 100 additional of said doses over a period of about 24 hours, and wherein said device delivers a therapeutically effective amount of sufentanil solely by electrically induced or electrically enhanced transport.

53422-2(S) 9g Other advantages and a fuller appreciation of specific adaptations, compositional variations, and physical attributes of the present invention can be learned from an examination of the following drawings, detailed description, examples, and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is hereinafter described in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective exploded view of an electrotransport drug delivery device in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a graph illustrating quality of analgesia in patients administered with transdermal electrotransport fentanyl as a function of time; and Figure 3 is a graph illustrating pain intensity experienced by patients administered with transdermal electrotransport fentanyl as a function of time.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a fentanyl or sufentanil salt electrotransport delivery device, and a method of using same, to achieve a systemic analgesic effect which is comparable to the effect achieved in known IV
accessed patient controlled analgesic pumps. The present invention provides an electrotransport delivery device for delivering fentanyl or 1 sufentanil through a body surface, e.g., skin, to achieve the analgesic effect.
2 The fentanyl or sufentanil salt is provided in a donor reservoir of an 3 electrotransport delivery device, preferably as an aqueous salt solution.
4 The dose of fentanyl delivered by transdermal electrotransport is about 20 g to about 60 g over a delivery time of up to about 20 minutes in human 6 patients having body weights of 35 kg or greater. Preferred is a dosage of 7 about 35 g to about 45 g, and most preferred is a dosage of about 40 g 8 for the delivery period. The device of the invention further preferably includes 9 means for delivering about 10 to 100, and more preferably about 20 to 80 additional like doses over a period of 24 hours in order to achieve and 11 maintain the analgesic effect.

12 The dose of sufentanil delivered by transdermal electrotransport is 13 about 2.3 g to about 7.0 g over a delivery time of up to about 20 minutes in 14 human patients having a body weights of 35 kg or greater. Preferred is a dosage of about 4 g to about 5.5 g, and most preferred is a dosage of 16 about 4.7 g for the delivery period. The device of the invention further 17 preferably includes means for delivering about 10 to 100, and more 18 preferably about 20 to 80 additional like doses over a period of 24 hours in 19 order to achieve and maintain the analgesic effect.
The fentanyl/sufentanil salt-containing anodic reservoir formulation for 21 transdermally delivering the above mentioned doses of fentanyl/sufentanil by 22 electrotransport is preferably comprised of an aqueous solution of a water 23 soluble fentanyl/sufentanil salt such as HCI or citrate salts. Most preferably, 24 the aqueous solution is contained within a hydrophilic polymer matrix such as a hydrogel matrix. The fentanyl/sufentanil salt is present in an amount 26 sufficient to deliver the above mentioned doses transdermally by 27 electrotransport over a delivery period of up to about 20 minutes, to achieve a 28 systemic analgesic effect. The fentanyl/sufentanil salt typically comprises 29 about 1 to 10 wt% of the donor reservoir formulation (including the weight of the polymeric matrix) on a fully hydrated basis, and more preferably about 1 1 to 5 wt% of the donor reservoir formulation on a fully hydrated basis.
2 Although not critical to this aspect of the present invention, the applied 3 electrotransport current density is typically in the range of about 4 50 to 150 A/cm2 and the applied electrotransport current is typically in-the range of about 15G to 240 A.
6 The anodic fentanyl/sufentanil salt-containing hydrogel can suitably 7 be made of a any number of materials but preferably is comprised of a 8 hydrophilic polymeric material, preferably one that is polar in nature so as to 9 enhance the drug stability. Suitable polar polymers for the hydrogel matrix comprise a variety of synthetic and naturally occurring polymeric materials.
11 A preferred hydrogel formulation contains a suitable hydrophilic polymer, 12 a buffer, a humectant, a thickener, water and a water soluble fentanyl or 13 sufentanil salt (e.g., HCI salt). A preferred hydrophilic polymer matrix is 14 polyvinyl alcohol such as a washed and fully hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), e.g., Mowiol 66-100 commercially available from Hoechst 16 Aktiengesellschaft. A suitable buffer is an ion exchange resin which is a 17 copolymer of methacrylic acid and divinylbenzene in both an acid and salt 1s form. One example of such a buffer is a mixture of Polacrilin (the copolymer 19 of methacrylic acid and divinyl benzene available from Rohm & Haas, Philadelphia, PA) and the potassium salt thereof. A mixture of the acid and 21 potassium salt forms of Polacrilin functions as a polymeric buffer to adjust the 22 pH of the hydrogel to about pH 6. Use of a humectant in the hydrogel 23 formulation is beneficial to inhibit the loss of moisture from the hydrogel.
24 An example of a suitable humectant is guar gum. Thickeners are also beneficial in a hydrogel formulation. For example, a polyvinyl alcohol 26 thickener such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (e.g., Methocel K100MP
27 available from Dow Chemical, Midland, MI) aids in modifying the rheology 28 of a hot polymer solution as it is dispensed into a mold or cavity.

1 The hydroxypropyl methylcellulose increases in viscosity on cooling and 2 significantly reduces the propensity of a cooled polymer solution to overfill 3 the mold or cavity.
4 In one preferred embodiment, the anodic fentanyl/sufentanil sait-s containing hydrogel formulation comprises about 10 to 15 wt% polyvinyl 6 alcohol, 0.1 to 0.4 wt% resin buffer, and about 1 to 2 wt% fentanyl or 7 sufentanil salt, preferably the hydrochloride salt. The remainder is water and 8 ingredients such as humectants, thickeners, etc. The polyvinyl alcohol 9 (PVOH)-based hydrogel formulation is prepared by mixing all materials, including the fentanyl or sufentanil salt, in a single vessel at elevated 11 temperatures of about 90 C to 95 C for at least about 0.5 hr. The hot mix 12 is then poured into foam molds and stored at freezing temperature of 13 about -35 C overnight to cross-link the PVOH. Upon warming to ambient 14 temperature, a tough elastomeric gel is obtained suitable for fentanyl electrotransport.
16 The hydrogel formulations are used in an electrotransport device such 17 as described hereinafter. A suitable electrotransport device includes an 18 anodic donor electrode, preferably comprised of silver, and a cathodic counter 19 electrode, preferably comprised of silver chloride. The donor electrode is in electrical contact with the donor reservoir containing the aqueous solution of a 21 fentanyl/sufentanil salt. As described above, the donor reservoir is preferably 22 a hydrogel formulation. The counter reservoir also preferably comprises a 23 hydrogel formulation containing a (e.g., aqueous) solution of a biocompatible 24 electrolyte, such as citrate buffered saline. The anodic and cathodic hydrogel reservoirs preferably each have a skin contact area of about 1 to 5 cm2 and 26 more preferably about 2 to 3 cm2. The anodic and cathodic hydrogel 27 reservoirs preferably have a thickness of about 0.05 to 0.25 cm, and 28 more preferably about 0.15 cm. The applied electrotransport current is 1 about 150 A to about 240 pA, depending on the analgesic effect desired.
2 Most preferably, the applied electrotransport current is substantially 3 constant DC current during the dosing interval.
4 Reference is now made to FIG. 1 which depicts an exemplary electrotransport device which can be used in accordance with the present 6 invention. FIG. 1 shows a perspective exploded view of an electrotransport 7 device 10 having an activation switch in the form of a push button switch 12 8 and a display in the form of a light emitting diode (LED) 14. Device 10 9 comprises an upper housing 16, a circuit board assembly 18, a lower housing 20, anode electrode 22, cathode electrode 24, anode reservoir 26, cathode 11 reservoir 28 and skin-compatible adhesive 30. Upper housing 16 has lateral 12 wings 15 which assist in holding device 10 on a patient's skin. Upper housing 13 16 is preferably composed of an injection moldable elastomer (e.g., ethylene 14 vinyl acetate). Printed circuit board assembly 18 comprises an integrated circuit 19 coupled to discrete electrical components 40 and battery 32.
16 Circuit board assembly 18 is attached to housing 16 by posts (not shown in 17 FIG. 1) passing through openings 13a and 13b, the ends of the posts being 18 heated/melted in order to heat stake the circuit board assembly 18 to the 19 housing 16. Lower housing 20 is attached to the upper housing 16 by means of adhesive 30, the upper surface 34 of adhesive 30 being adhered to both 21 lower housing 20 and upper housing 16 including the bottom surfaces of 22 wings 15.
23 Shown (partially) on the underside of circuit board assembly 18 is 24 a battery 32, which is preferably a button cell battery and most preferably a lithium cell. Other types of batteries may also be employed to power 26 device 10.

1 The circuit outputs (not shown in FIG. 1) of the circuit board 2 assembly 18 make electrical contact with the electrodes 24 and 22 3 through openings 23,23' in the depressions 25,25' formed in lower 4 housing, by means of electrically conductive adhesive strips 42,42'.
Electrodes 22 and 24, in turn, are in direct mechanical and electrical 6 contact with the top sides 44',44 of reservoirs 26 and 28. The bottom sides 7 46,46 of reservoirs 26,28 contact the patient's skin through the openings 8 29',29 in adhesive 30. Upon depression of push button switch 12, the 9 electronic circuitry on circuit board assembly 18 delivers a predetermined DC current to the electrodes/reservoirs 22,26 and 24,28 for a delivery interval 11 of predetermined length, e.g., about 10 minutes. Preferably, the device 12 transmits to the user a visual and/or audible confirmation of the onset of the 13 drug delivery, or bolus, interval by means of LED 14 becoming lit and/or an 14 audible sound signal from, e.g., a"beeper". Analgesic drug, e.g. fentanyl, is then delivered through the patient's skin, e.g., on the arm, for the 16 predetermined (e.g., 10 minute) delivery interval. In practice, a user receives 17 feedback as to the onset of the drug delivery interval by visual (LED 14 18 becomes lit) and/or audible signals (a beep from the "beeper").
19 Anodic electrode 22 is preferably comprised of silver and cathodic electrode 24 is preferably comprised of silver chloride. Both reservoirs 21 26 and 28 are preferably comprised of polymer hydrogel materials as 22 described herein. Electrodes 22, 24 and reservoirs 26, 28 are retained by 23 lower housing 20. For fentanyl and sufentanil salts, the anodic reservoir 26 is 24 the "donor" reservoir which contains the drug and the cathodic reservoir 28 contains a biocompatible electrolyte.
26 The push button switch 12, the electronic circuitry on circuit board 27 assembly 18 and the battery 32 are adhesively "sealed" between upper 28 housing 16 and lower housing 20. Upper housing 16 is preferably composed 29 of rubber or other elastomeric material. Lower housing 20 is preferably composed of a plastic or elastomeric sheet material (e.g., polyethylene) which 1 can be easily molded to form depressions 25,25' and cut to form openings 2 23,23'. The assembled device 10 is preferably water resistant (i.e., splash 3 proof) and is most preferably waterproof. The system has a low profile that 4 easily conforms to the body thereby allowing freedom of movement at, and around, the wearing site. The anode/drug reservoir 26 and the cathode/salt 6 reservoir 28 are located on the skin-contacting side of device 10 and are 7 sufficiently separated to prevent accidental electrical shorting during normal 8 handling and use.
9 The device 10 adheres to the patient's body surface (e.g., skin) by means of a peripheral adhesive 30 which has upper side 34 and body-11 contacting side 36. The adhesive side 36 has adhesive properties which 12 assures that the device 10 remains in place on the body during normal user 13 activity, and yet permits reasonable removal after the predetermined 14 (e.g., 24-hour) wear period. Upper adhesive side 34 adheres to lower housing 20 and retains the electrodes and drug reservoirs within housing 16 depressions 25,25' as well as retains lower housing 20 attached to upper 17 housing 16.
1s The push button switch 12 is located on the top side of device 10 and 19 is easily actuated through clothing. A double press of the push button switch 12 within a short period of time, e.g., three seconds, is preferably used to 21 activate the device 10 for delivery of drug, thereby minimizing the likelihood of 22 inadvertent actuation of the device 10.
23 Upon switch activation an audible alarm signals the start of drug 24 delivery, at which time the circuit supplies a predetermined level of DC current to the electrodes/reservoirs for a predetermined (e.g., 10 minute) 26 delivery interval. The LED 14 remains "on" throughout the delivery interval 27 indicating that the device 10 is in an active drug delivery mode. The battery 28 preferably has sufficient capacity to continuously power the device 10 at the 29 predetermined level of DC current for the entire (e.g., 24 hour) wearing period.

1 Preferably, the concentration of fentanyl or sufentanil in solution in the 2 donor reservoir is maintained at or above the level at which the transdermal 3 electrotransport fentanyl/sufentanil flux is independent of drug concentration 4 in the donor reservoir during the electrotransport drug delivery period.
Transdermal electrotransport fentanyl flux begins to become dependent upon 6 the concentration of the fentanyl salt in aqueous solution as the fentanyl salt 7 concentration falls below about 11 to 16 mM. The 11 to 16 mM concentration 8 is calculated based only on the volume of liquid solvent used in the donor 9 reservoir, not on the total volume of the reservoir. In other words, the 11 to 16 mM concentration does not include the volume of the 11 reservoir which is represented by the reservoir matrix (e.g., hydrogel 12 or other matrix) material. Furthermore, the 11 to 16 mM concentration is 13 based upon the number of moles of fentanyl salt, not the equivalent number 14 of moles of fentanyl free base, which is contained in the donor reservoir solution. For fentanyl HCI, the 11 to 16 mM concentration is equivalent to 16 about 4 to 6 mg/mL. Other fentanyl salts (e.g., fentanyl citrate) will have 17 slightly differing weight based concentration ranges based on the difference in 18 the molecular weight of the counter ion of the particular fentanyl salt in 19 question. As the fentanyl salt concentration falls to about 11 to 16 mM, the fentanyl transdermal electrotransport flux begins to significantly decline, even 21 if the applied electrotransport current remains constant. Thus, to ensure a 22 predictable fentanyl flux with a particular level of applied electrotransport 23 current, the fentanyl salt concentration in the solution contained in the donor 24 reservoir is preferably maintained above about 11 mM, and more preferably above about 16 mM. In addition to fentanyl, water soluble salts of sufentanil 26 also have minimum aqueous solution concentrations below which the 27 transdermal electrotransport flux becomes dependent on concentration of the 28 sufentanil salt in solution. The minimum concentration for sufentanil is about 29 1.7 mM, which for sufentanil citrate is equivalent to about I mg/mL.

I Since fentanyl and sufentanil are both bases, the salts of fentanyl 2 and sufentanil are typically acid addition salts, e.g., citrate salts, hydrochloride 3 salts, etc. The acid addition salts of fentanyl typically have water solubilities 4 of about 25 to 30 mg/mL. The acid addition salts of sufentanil typically have water solubilities of about 45 to 50 mg/mL. When these salts are 6 placed in solution (e.g., aqueous solution), the salts dissolve and form 7 protonated fentanyl or sufentanil cations and counter (e.g., citrate or chloride) 8 anions. As such, the fentanyl/sufentanil cations are delivered from the s anodic electrode of an electrotransport delivery device. Silver anodic electrodes have been proposed for transdermal electrotransport delivery 11 as a way to maintain pH stability in the anodic reservoir. See for 12 example, Untereker et al U.S. Patent 5,135,477 and Petelenz et al 13 U.S. Patent 4,752,285. These patents also recognize one of the 14 shortcomings of using a silver anodic electrode in an electrotransport delivery device, namely that the application of current through the silver 16 anode causes the silver to become oxidized (Ag -+ Ag+ + e") thereby forming 17 silver cations which compete with the cationic drug for delivery into the skin 18 by electrotransport. Silver ion migration into the skin results in a transient 19 epidermal discoloration (TED) of the skin. In accordance with the teachings in these patents, the cationic fentanyl and sufentanil are preferably formulated 21 as a halide salt (e.g., hydrochloride salt) so that any electrochemically-22 generated silver ions will react with the drug counter ions (i.e., halide ions) 23 to form a substantially insoluble silver halide (Ag+ + X" -> AgX). In addition to 24 these patents, Phipps et al, WO 95/27530 teaches the use of supplementary chloride ion sources in the form of high molecular weight chloride resins in the 26 donor reservoir of a transdermal electrotransport delivery device. These 27 resins are highly effective at providing sufficient chloride for preventing silver 28 ion migration, and the attendant skin discoloration when delivering fentanyl or 29 sufentanil transdermally by electrotransport using a silver anodic electrode.

1 The present invention is further explained by the following examples 2 which are illustrative of, but do not limit the scope of, the present invention.

6 The following studies were conducted to determine the transdermal 7 electrotransport dosing level required to achieve an acceptable level of 8 analgesia in human patients suffering from moderate to severe post-operative s pain. The study was conducted in 132 post-operative male and female patients who were expected to have moderate to severe pain after surgery, 11 including orthopedic (shoulder, knee, long bone) and abdominal (urological, 12 gynecological) surgeries. The patients wore one of two different 13 electrotransport fentanyl HCI delivery devices on the upper arm for 24 hours 14 following surgery. Both devices applied electrotransport current for a delivery interval of 10 minutes upon activating a push button switch on the device.
16 The first device, worn by 79 of the 132 patients, applied an electrotransport 17 current of 150 A which delivered an average fentanyl dose of 25 g over 1a the 10 minute delivery interval. The second device, worn by 53 of the 19 132 patients, applied an electrotransport current of 240 A which delivered an average fentanyl dose of 40 g over the 10 minute delivery interval.
21 In both devices, the patients could self-administer up to 6 doses every 22 hour. Patients using the first (i.e., 25 g dose) device could apply a maximum 23 of 144 doses. Patients using the second (i.e., 40 g dose) device were 24 allowed to apply up to a maximum number of 80 doses.
Both devices were two-part systems which included a reusable 26 electronic controller and a single use/disposable drug-containing unit.
27 Each drug unit contained an anodic fentanyl HCI-containing donor gel and 28 a cathodic saline-containing counter gel. All gels had a skin contact area of 29 2 cm2 and a thickness of 0.16 cm. The approximate weight of the donor gels was 350 mg. The anodic donor gels in the 25 g dose and 40 g dose 1 systems were the same size and composition, only the applied 2 electrotransport current level was different. The cathodic counter electrode 3 assemblies each had a PVOH based gel which contained citrate buffered 4 saline. A silver chloride cathodic electrode was laminated to one surface of the counter gel. The 25 g and 40 g dose anodic gels had the following 6 composition:

8 Material (wt%) 9 Water 73.2 PVOH 10.0 11 Fentanyl HCI 1.4 12 Polacrilin 0.3 13 Polacrilin potassium 0.1 14 Glycerin 5.0 Cholestyramine resin 10.0 17 All patients were initially titrated to an acceptable level of analgesia 18 with intravenous (IV) fentanyl in the recovery room immediately following 19 surgery. VVithin 3 hours after surgery when the patients had met the usual institutional standards for discharge from the recovery room and were able to 21 operate their worn electrotransport delivery device, the patients were moved 22 to a ward where they could self administer fentanyl by transdermal 23 electrotransport for the management of their pain. In the event the 24 electrotransport fentanyl delivery regimen was insufficient to control pain, the patients were retitrated with supplemental fentanyl through 26 IV administration to achieve adequate analgesia.
27 In the 25 jig dose group, 38 of 79 patients (i.e., 48% ) required no 28 supplemental IV fentanyl after leaving the recovery room. In the 40 g dose 29 group, 47 of 53 patients (i.e., 89%) required no supplemental IV fentanyl after leaving the recovery room. Based on these percentages, it was determined 1 that the 25 g dose regimen was sufficient to treat the pain associated with 2 these types of surgical procedures in about one-half of the patients; and the 3 40 g dose regimen was sufficient to treat the pain associated with these 4 types of surgical procedures in about 90% of the patients tested. Because the 25 g dose regimen was analgesically effective for about half the patients, 6 lower dosing regimens of about 20 to 30 g and preferably about 20 to 25 g 7 of fentanyl over these same dosing intervals (i.e., up to 20 minutes) are also 8 effective, and less susceptible to unintentional over-dosing, in treating less 9 severe acute pain such as that experienced with hernia repair, kidney stones, arthritis pain, laparascopic procedures, and other conditions involving less severe pain than that associated with major surgeries. The corresponding 12 lower dosing regimens for sufentanil are about 2.3 g to about 3.5 g, and 13 preferably about 2.3 g to about 2.9 g, delivered over these same dosing 14 intervals (i.e., up to 20 minutes).
Pain intensity was assessed at baseline immediately before activation 16 of the first on-demand dose and again at times 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 17 20 and 24 hours after the devices were first activated. The patients were 18 asked to assess pain intensity by marking on a 10 cm long strip, containing a 19 scale of 1 to 100, with 1 being associated with no pain and 100 being associated with the most severe intensity pain. The quality of analgesia was 21 evaluated by a categorical rating of excellent, good, fair or unsatisfactory 22 according to the same time schedule as that for the pain intensity 23 measurements.

24 The quality of analgesia and pain intensity data for the 53 patients using the 40 g dose electrotransport devices are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, 26 respectively.
27 Skin sites beneath the anode and cathode gels were assessed 28 at 1, 6 and 24 hours following removal of the devices and evaluated for 29 topical (e.g., irritation) effects. The topical effects data are shown in Table 1.

Hours ETS Extent of Post Skin Edema Erythema Erythema Itching Papules Pustules Removal Site Score (%) (%) ( /,) (%) (%) ( /,) 1 Anode 0 74 15 19 91 92 100 Cathode 0 92 72 74 94 94 100 6 Anode 0 74 15 17 89 92 100 Cathode 0 92 68 68 91 91 100 24 Anode 0 83 34 36 91 96 98 Cathode 0 91 70 70 91 89 98 Erythema: 0 = None Itching: 0 None 1 = Barely perceptible redness 1= Mild 2= Definite redness 2= Moderate 3 = "Beef' redness 3 = Severe Edema, Papules, Pustules, Extent of Erythema: 0 None 1 = <50% of occluded area 2 = >50% of occluded area 3 Two fentanyl hydrochloride-containing anodic donor reservoir 4 PVOH-based gels were made having the following compositions:

6 Donor Gel Formulations:
7 Material wt 0/0 wt !Q
8 Purified Water 86.3 85.3 9 Washed PVOH 12.0 12.0 Fentanyl HCI 1.7 1.7 11 Hydroxy Methylcellulose --- 1.0 13 With both formulations, the water and PVOH are mixed at a 14 temperature between 92 C and 98 C followed by the addition of fentanyl hydrochloride and subsequent further mixing. The liquid gel was then pumped 1s into foam molds having a disc-shaped cavity. The molds were placed in a 17 freezer overnight at -35 C to cross-link the PVOH. The gels can be used as 18 anodic donor reservoirs suitable for transdermal electrotransport fentanyl 19 delivery to achieve patient analgesia.
In summary, the present invention provides a device for improving 21 the transdermal electrotransport of water soluble salts of fentanyl and 22 sufentanil. The electrotransport device preferably has a silver anodic donor 23 electrode and a hydrogel based donor reservoir. The electrotransport device 24 is preferably a patient-controlled device. The hydrogel formulation contains a drug concentration which is sufficient to provide an acceptable level of 26 analgesia.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A patient-worn device for transdermally delivering fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof by electrotransport and which allows a patient who is suffering from pain and who is wearing the device to obtain self-administered analgesia, the device comprising:

a donor reservoir containing a donor reservoir formulation comprised of fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in a form to be delivered solely by electrotransport;

a counter reservoir;

a source of electrical power electrically connected to the donor reservoir and the counter reservoir;
and a control circuit for controlling electrotransport current, the control circuit including a patient-controlled switch which activates the device and wherein the donor reservoir, the counter reservoir, the power source and the control circuit deliver solely by electrotransport a dose of about 20 µg to about 60 µg of fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof over a predetermined delivery period of up to about 20 minutes and terminate delivery at the end of said delivery period, and wherein the control circuit allows the patient to self-administer from about 10 to about 100 additional of said doses over a period of 24 hours.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device delivers about 35 µg to about 45 µg of fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof over a delivery period of about 5 to about 15 minutes.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device delivers about 40 µg of fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof over the delivery period.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is used to treat less severe pain and the device delivers about 20 µg to about 30 µg of fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof over the delivery period.

5. The device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the delivery period is about 10 minutes.

6. The device of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the formulation comprises a fentanyl salt.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the fentanyl salt comprises about 1.0 to about 2.0 wt% of the formulation.

8. The device of claim 6 or 7, wherein the fentanyl salt is fentanyl hydrochloride.

9. The device of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the formulation is a hydrogel formulation.

10. The device of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the formulation is a hydrogel formulation further comprising polyvinyl alcohol.

11. A patient-worn device for transdermally delivering sufentanil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof by electrotransport and which allows a patient who is suffering from pain and who is wearing the device to obtain self-administered analgesia, the device comprising:

a donor reservoir containing a donor reservoir formulation comprised of sufentanil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in a form to be delivered solely by electrotransport;

a counter reservoir;

a source of electrical power electrically connected to the donor reservoir and the counter reservoir;
and a control circuit for controlling electrotransport current, the control circuit including a patient-controlled switch which activates the device and wherein the donor reservoir, the counter reservoir, the power source and the control circuit deliver solely by electrotransport a dose of about 2.3 µg to about 7.0 µg of sufentanil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof over a predetermined delivery period of up to about 20 minutes and terminate delivery at the end of said delivery period, and wherein the control circuit allows the patient to self-administer from about 10 to about 100 additional of said doses over a period of 24 hours.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the device delivers about 4 µg to about 5.5 µg of sufentanil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof over a delivery period of about 5 to about 15 minutes.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the device delivers about 4.7 µg of sufentanil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof over the delivery period.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the device is used to treat less severe pain and the device delivers about 2.3 µg to about 3.5 µg of sufentanil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof over the delivery period.

15. The device of any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the delivery period is about 10 minutes.

16. The device of any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the formulation comprises a sufentanil salt.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the sufentanil salt comprises about 1.0 to about 2.0 wt% of the formulation.

18. The device of claim 16 or 17, wherein the sufentanil salt is sufentanil hydrochloride.

19. The device of any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the formulation is a hydrogel formulation.

20. The device of any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the formulation is a hydrogel further comprising polyvinyl alcohol.

21. An electrotransport delivery container which allows a patient who is suffering from pain and who is wearing the container to obtain self-administered analgesia, the container comprising:

a donor reservoir containing a donor reservoir formulation comprising fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in a form to be delivered solely by electrotransport;

a counter reservoir;

a source of electrical power electrically connected to the donor reservoir and the counter reservoir;
and a control circuit for controlling electrotransport current, the control circuit including a patient-controlled switch which activates the container and wherein the donor reservoir, the counter reservoir, the power source and the control circuit deliver solely by electrotransport a dose of about 20 µg to about 60 µg of fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof over a predetermined delivery period of up to about 20 minutes and terminate delivery at the end of said delivery period, and wherein the control circuit allows the patient to self-administer from about 10 to about 100 additional of said doses over a period of 24 hours.

22. The container of claim 21, wherein about 35 µg to about 45 µg of fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is delivered over a delivery period of about 5 to about 15 minutes.

23. The container of claim 21, wherein about 40 µg of fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is delivered over the delivery period.

24. The container of claim 21, wherein about 20 µg to about 30 µg of fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is delivered over the delivery period.

25. The container of any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein the delivery period is about 10 minutes.

26. The container of any one of claims 21 to 25, wherein the donor reservoir formulation comprises a fentanyl salt.

27. The container of claim 26, wherein the fentanyl salt comprises about 1.0 to about 2.0 wt% of the donor reservoir formulation.

28. The container of claim 26 or 27, wherein the fentanyl salt is fentanyl hydrochloride.

29. The container of any one of claims 21 to 28, wherein the donor reservoir formulation further comprises a hydrogel formulation comprising water and optionally a polyvinyl alcohol.

30. The container of any one of claims 21 to 29 for treating pain.

31. The container of claim 24 for treating less severe pain.

32. Use of the container of any one of claims 21 to 29 for treating pain.

33. Use of the container of claim 24 for treating less severe pain.

34. An electrotransport delivery container which allows a patient who is suffering from pain and who is wearing the container to obtain self-administered analgesia, the container comprising:

a donor reservoir containing a donor reservoir formulation comprised of sufentanil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in a form to be delivered solely by electrotransport;

a counter reservoir;

a source of electrical power electrically connected to the donor reservoir and the counter reservoir;
and a control circuit for controlling electrotransport current, the control circuit including a patient-controlled switch which activates the container and wherein the donor reservoir, the counter reservoir, the power source and the control circuit deliver solely by electrotransport a dose of about 2.3 µg to about 7.0 µg of sufentanil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof over a predetermined delivery period of up to about 20 minutes and terminate delivery at the end of said delivery period, and wherein the control circuit allows the patient to self-administer from about 10 to about 100 additional of said doses over a period of 24 hours.

35. The container of claim 34, wherein about 4 µg to about 5.5 µg of sufentanil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is delivered over a delivery period of about 5 to about 15 minutes.

36. The container of claim 34, wherein about 4.7 µg of sufentanil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is delivered over the delivery period.

37. The container of claim 34, wherein about 2.3 µg to about 3.5 µg of sufentanil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is delivered over the delivery period.

38. The container of any one of claims 34 to 37, wherein the delivery period is about 10 minutes.

39. The container of any one of claims 34 to 38, wherein the donor reservoir formulation comprises a sufentanil salt.

40. The container of claim 39, wherein the sufentanil salt comprises about 1.0 to about 2.0 wt% of the donor reservoir formulation.

41. The container of claim 39 or 40, wherein the sufentanil salt is sufentanil hydrochloride.

42. The container of any one of claims 34 to 41, wherein the donor reservoir formulation further comprises a hydrogel formulation comprising water and optionally a polyvinyl alcohol.

43. The container of any one of claims 34 to 42 for treating pain.

44. The container of claim 37 for treating less severe pain.

45. Use of the container of any one of claims 34 to 42 for treating pain.

46. Use of the container of claim 37 for treating less severe pain.

47. A commercial package comprising the container of any one of claims 21 to 29 and 34 to 42 together with instructions for treating pain.

48. A commercial package comprising the container of claim 24 or 37 together with instructions for treating less severe pain.

49. Use of an electrotransport delivery device for transdermal delivery of fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a patient in the treatment of pain, the electrotransport delivery device comprising:

a donor reservoir containing a formulation comprised of fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof suitable for electrotransport delivery;

a counter reservoir;

a source of electrical power electrically connected to the donor reservoir and the counter reservoir;
and a control circuit for controlling electrotransport current, the control circuit including a patient-controlled switch which activates delivery and wherein the donor reservoir, the counter reservoir, the power source and the control circuit deliver solely by electrotransport a dose of about 20 µg to about 60 µg of fentanyl or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof over a predetermined delivery period of up to about 20 minutes and terminate said delivery at the end of said delivery period, and wherein the control circuit is capable of allowing patient self-administration from about 10 to about 100 additional of said doses over a period of 24 hours.

50. The use of claim 49, wherein about 35 µg to about 45 µg of fentanyl or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is delivered over a delivery period of about 5 to about 15 minutes.

51. The use of claim 50, wherein about 40 µg of fentanyl or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is delivered over the delivery period.

52. The use of claim 50, for treating less severe pain and wherein about 20 µg to about 30 µg of fentanyl or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is delivered over the delivery period.

53. The use of any one of claims 49 to 52, wherein the delivery period is about 10 minutes.

54. The use of any one of claims 49 to 53, wherein the formulation comprises the fentanyl salt.

55. The use of claim 54, wherein the fentanyl salt comprises about 1.0 to about 2.0 wt% of the formulation.

56. The use of claim 54 or 55, wherein the fentanyl salt is fentanyl hydrochloride.

57. The use of any one of claims 49 to 56, wherein the formulation is a hydrogel formulation.

58. The use of claim 57, wherein the hydrogel formulation further comprises a polyvinyl alcohol.

59. Use of an electrotransport delivery device for transdermal delivery of sufentanil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a patient in the treatment of pain, the electrotransport delivery device comprising:

a donor reservoir containing a formulation comprised of sufentanil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in a form suitable for electrotransport delivery;

a counter reservoir;

a source of electrical power electrically connected to the donor reservoir and the counter reservoir;
and a control circuit for controlling electrotransport current, the control circuit including a patient-controlled switch which activates the delivery and wherein the donor reservoir, the counter reservoir, the power source and the control circuit deliver solely by electrotransport a dose of about 2.3 µg to about 7.0 µg of sufentanil or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof over a predetermined delivery period of up to about 20 minutes and terminate said delivery at the end of said delivery period, and wherein the control circuit is capable of allowing patient self-administration from about 10 to about 100 additional of said doses over a period of 24 hours.

60. The use of claim 59, wherein about 4 µg to about 5.5 µg of sufentanil or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is delivered over a delivery period of about 5 to 15 minutes.

61. The use of claim 59, wherein about 4.7 µg of sufentanil or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is delivered over the delivery period.

62. The use of claim 59, for treating less severe pain and wherein about 2.3 µg to about 3.5 µg of sufentanil or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is delivered over the delivery period.

63. The use of any one of claims 59 to 62, wherein the delivery period is about 10 minutes.

64. The use of any one of claims 59 to 63, wherein the formulation comprises the sufentanil salt.

65. The use of claim 64, wherein the sufentanil salt comprises about 1.0 to about 2.0 wt% of the formulation.

66. The use of claim 64 or 65, wherein the sufentanil salt is sufentanil hydrochloride.

67. The use of any one of claims 59 to 66, wherein the formulation is a hydrogel formulation.

68. The use of claim 67, wherein the hydrogel formulation further comprises a polyvinyl alcohol.

69. Use of an electrotransport delivery container for transdermal delivery of fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the container comprises a sufficient amount of the fentanyl or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for transdermal delivery solely by electrically induced or electrically enhanced transport to a patient in an amount of about 10 µg to about 60 µg over a delivery period of up to about 20 minutes.

70. The use of claim 69, wherein the amount of the fentanyl delivered is about 35 µg to about 45 µg, and the delivery period is about 5 to about 15 minutes.

71. The use of claim 69, wherein the amount of the fentanyl delivered is about 40 µg.

72. The use of any one of claims 69 to 71, wherein the delivery period is about 10 minutes.

73. The use of any one of claims 69 to 72, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable salt is fentanyl hydrochloride.

74. The use of any one of claims 69 to 73, wherein the pain is moderate or severe post-operative pain.

75. The use of claim 74, wherein the pain is severe post-operative pain.

76. The use of any one of claims 69 to 75, wherein the electrotransport is by iontophoresis.

77. An electrontransport delivery container comprising a pharmaceutical formulation for transdermally delivering fentanyl solely by electrically induced or electrically enhanced transport to a patient in an amount of about 20 µg to about 60 µg over a delivery period of up to about 20 minutes, the container comprising:

a sufficient amount of an acceptable salt of fentanyl for transdermally delivering fentanyl solely by electrotransport to a patient in an amount of about 20 µg to about 60 µg over a delivery period of up to about 20 minutes; and water.

78. The container of claim 77, wherein the amount of the fentanyl is about 35 µg to about 45 µg, and the delivery period is about 5 to about 15 minutes.

79. The container of claim 77, wherein the amount of the fentanyl is about 40 µg.

80. The container of any one of claims 77 to 79, wherein the delivery period is about 10 minutes.

81. The container of any one of claims 77 to 80, wherein the acceptable salt is fentanyl hydrochloride.

82. The container of any one of claims 77 to 81, wherein the formulation is a hydrogel formulation.

83. The container of any one of claims 77 to 82, wherein the electrotransport is by iontophoresis.

84. The container of any one of claims 77 to 83, for treating pain.

85. The container of claim 84, wherein the pain is moderate or severe post-operative pain.

86. The container of claim 85, wherein the pain is severe post-operative pain.

87. Use of an electrotransport delivery container for transdermal delivery of sufentanil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the container comprises a sufficient amount of the sufentanil or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for transdermal delivery solely by electrically induced or electrically enhanced transport to a patient in an amount of about 2.3 µg to about 7.0 µg over a delivery period of up to about 20 minutes.

88. The use of claim 87, wherein the amount of the sufentanil delivered is about 4 µg to about 5.5 µg, and the delivery period is about 5 to about 15 minutes.

89. The use of claim 87, wherein the amount of the sufentanil delivered is about 4.7 µg.

90. The use of any one of claims 87 to 89, wherein the delivery period is about 10 minutes.

91. The use of any one of claims 87 to 90, wherein sufentanil hydrochloride is used.

92. The use of any one of claims 87 to 91, wherein pain is moderate or severe post-operative pain.

93. The use of claim 92, wherein the pain is severe post-operative pain.

94. The use of any one of claims 87 to 93, wherein the electrotransport is by iontophoresis.

95. An electrotransport delivery container comprising a pharmaceutical formulation for transdermally delivering sufentanil solely by electrically induced or electrically enhanced transport to a patient in an amount of about 2.3 µg to about 7.0 µg over a delivery period of up to about 20 minutes, the container comprising:

a sufficient amount of an acceptable salt of sufentanil for transdermally delivering sufentanil solely by electrotransport to a patient in an amount of about 2.3 µg to about 7.0 µg over a delivery period of up to about 20 minutes; and water.

96. The container of claim 95, wherein the amount of the sufentanil is about 4.0 µg to 5.5 µg, and the delivery period is about 5 to about 15 minutes.

97. The container of claim 95, wherein the amount of the sufentanil is about 4.7 µg.

98. The container of any one of claims 95 to 97, wherein the delivery period is about 10 minutes.

99. The container of any one of claims 95 to 98, wherein the acceptable salt is sufentanil hydrochloride.

100. The container of any one of claims 95 to 99, wherein the formulation is a hydrogel formulation.

101. The container of any one of claims 95 to 100, wherein the electrotransport is by iontophoresis.

102. The container of any one of claims 95 to 101, for treating pain.

103. The container of claim 102, wherein the pain is moderate or severe post-operative pain.

104. The container of claim 103, wherein the pain is severe post-operative pain.

105. A patient-worn device for transdermally delivering fentanyl by electrotransport to a human patient suffering from pain, comprising:

a donor reservoir formulation comprised of a fentanyl salt solution;

a counter reservoir;

a source of electrical power electrically connected to said donor reservoir and said counter reservoir; and a control circuit for controlling electrotransport current, said control circuit including a switch which activates said device wherein said donor reservoir, said power source and said control circuit deliver a dose of about 20 µg to about 60 µg of fentanyl over a predetermined delivery period of up to about 20 minutes and terminate delivery at the end of said delivery period, and wherein said control circuit allows up to about 100 additional of said doses over a period of about 24 hours, and wherein said device delivers a therapeutically effective amount of fentanyl solely by electrically induced or electrically enhanced transport.

106. The device of claim 105, wherein the donor reservoir formulation has a fentanyl salt concentration above about 11 mM.

107. The device of claim 105, wherein the donor reservoir formulation has a fentanyl salt concentration above about 16 mM.

108. The device of any one of claims 105 to 107, wherein the donor reservoir formulation comprises a hydrogel matrix.

109. The device of claim 108, wherein the hydrogel matrix comprises polyvinyl alcohol.

110. The device of any one of claims 105 to 109, wherein the device delivers about 35 µg to about 45 µg of fentanyl over a delivery period of about 5 to 15 minutes.

111. The device of any one of claims 105 to 109, wherein the device delivers about 20 µg to about 30 µg of fentanyl over a delivery period of about 5 to 15 minutes.

112. The device of any one of claims 105 to 109, wherein the device delivers about 40 µg of fentanyl over the delivery period.

113. The device of any one of claims 105 to 109, wherein the device delivers about 25 µg of fentanyl over the delivery period.

114. The device of any one of claims 105 to 113, wherein the delivery period is about 10 minutes.

115. The device of any one of claims 105 to 109, wherein the additional doses are 35 µg to 45 µg doses of fentanyl.

116. The device of any one of claims 105 to 109, wherein the additional doses are 20 µg to 30 µg doses of fentanyl.

117. The device of any one of claims 105 to 116, wherein the fentanyl salt solution comprises about 1 to 10 wt % of the donor reservoir formulation.

118. The device of claim 117, wherein the fentanyl salt solution comprises about 1 to 2 wt % of the donor reservoir formulation.

119. The device of any one of claims 105 to 118, wherein the fentanyl salt solution comprises fentanyl hydrochloride.

120. The device of any one of claims 105 to 119, wherein the switch is patient-controlled, thereby allowing the dose or doses to be self-administered by the patient.

121. The device of claim 120, wherein the control circuit allows the patient to self-administer no more than six of said doses per hour.

122. The device of any one of claims 105 to 121, wherein an applied electrotransport current density is in the range of about 50 to about 150 µA/cm2.

123. The device of claim 119, wherein the donor reservoir formulation further comprises a supplementary source of chloride ions.

124. The device of claim 123, wherein the supplementary source of chloride ions comprises a high molecular weight chloride resin.

125. A patient-worn device for transdermally delivering sufentanil by electrotransport to a human patient suffering from pain, comprising:

a donor reservoir formulation comprised of a sufentanil salt solution;

a counter reservoir;

a source of electrical power electrically connected to said donor reservoir and said counter reservoir; and a control circuit for controlling electrotransport current, said control circuit including a switch which activates said device, wherein said donor reservoir, said power source and said control circuit deliver by electrotransport a dose of about 2.3 µg to about 7.0 µg of sufentanil over a predetermined delivery period of up to about 20 minutes and terminate delivery at the end of said delivery period, and wherein said control circuit allows up to about 100 additional of said doses over a period of about 24 hours, and wherein said device delivers a therapeutically effective amount of sufentanil solely by electrically induced or electrically enhanced transport.

126. The device of claim 125, wherein the donor reservoir formulation has a sufentanil salt concentration above about 1.7 mM.

127. The device of claim 125 or 126, wherein the sufentanil salt solution comprises sufentanil hydrochloride.

128. The device of any one of claims 125 to 127, wherein the sufentanil salt solution comprises about 1 to 2 wt % of the donor reservoir formulation.