CA2434872A1

CA2434872A1 - Medicament compositions with negligible side-effects containing betamimetics

Info

Publication number: CA2434872A1
Application number: CA002434872A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Karl-Heinz Bozung; Michel Pairet; Richard Reichl; Alexander Walland
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2001-02-01
Filing date: 2002-01-24
Publication date: 2002-08-08
Also published as: JP2004517942A; WO2002060532A1; DE10104367A1; EP1357975A1

Abstract

The invention relates to novel medicament compositions based on long-term effective beta2 agonists and ipratropium salts. The invention also relates to a method for the production of said compositions and to the use of the same for treating diseases of the respiratory tract.

Description

'~"'~, WO 02/060532 CA 02434872 2003-07-15 PCT/EP02/00674 , ~s.
77075pct.208 Pharmaceutical compositions containing betamimetics with few side effects The present invention relates to novel pharmaceutical compositions based on long-acting beta2-agonists and ipratropium salts, processes for preparing them and their use in the treatment of respiratory complaints.
Background to the invention It is known from the prior art that betamimetics may successfully be used to treat obstructive diseases of the respiratory tract. The long-acting betamimetics salmeterol and formoterol are of particular importance. These compounds may be used effectively for treating COPD or asthma, for example.
However, administering these compounds to humans may be linked to undesirable side effects. The central side effects may be general malaise, excitement, sleeplessness, anxiety, trembling fingers, sweats and headaches. These side effects are not eliminated by inhaling the compounds even though they are generally then observed to a rather lesser extent than when the compounds are administered orally or parenterally. Of significantly greater importance in the use of the abovementioned compounds as antiasthmatic agents, for example, are the sometimes marked stimulant effects of these compounds on the heart. They lead to tachycardia, palpitations, angina pectoris-like pain and arrhythmias. Depending on the patient's physical constitution, these latter side effects on the heart may assume life-threatening proportions. It has now been observed that the side effects on the heart caused by salmeterol and formoterol may occur with worrying severity particularly at the start of the duration of activity of these pharmaceutical compositions. In therapy, salmeterol and formoterol are usually administered twice a day. Even if obstructive pulmonary diseases such as asthma or COPD are successfully treated by the administration of salmeterol or formoterol, the side effects described above must be expected to occur after every application of these two active substances.
The aim of the present invention is to provide drug combinations which will reduce the occurrence of the abovementioned side effects after the administration of long-acting betamimetics. A further aim of the present invention is to provide drug combinations by means of which the occurrence of the abovementioned side effects is reduced, particularly in the period shortly after the administration of the long-acting betamimetics. A further aim of the present invention is to provide drug combinations which will reduce the occurrence of the abovementioned side effects, particularly in ' CA 02434872 2003-07-15 the period shortly after the administration of the long-acting betamimetics, without counteracting the therapeutic effect intended to be achieved by the administration of the betamimetics.
A further aim of the present invention is to provide drug combinations which will reduce the occurrence of the abovementioned side effects after the administration of long-acting betamimetics which occurs several times a day, preferably twice a day. A
further aim of the present invention is to provide drug combinations which will reduce the occurrence of the abovementioned side effects, particularly in the period shortly after the administration of long-acting betamimetics which occurs several times a day, preferably twice a day. A further aim of the present invention is to provide drug combinations which will reduce the occurrence of the abovementioned side effects, particularly in the period shortly after the administration of long-acting betamimetics which occurs several times a day, preferably twice a day, without counteracting the therapeutic effect which is being sought by the administration of the betamimetics.
Detailed description of the invention Surprisingly, it has been found that the aims set out above can be achieved if one or more ipratropium salts 1 are used together with the long-acting betamimetics 2.
The compound ipratropium bromide, a salt of ipratropium, is known in the art.
It is already used with great success as Atrovent~ for treating respiratory complaints, for example. Ipratropium salts _1 have the following chemical structure:
Me + /"'Me Me~N X
O OH

In the case of ipratropium bromide, X denotes bromine. This compound may also be referred to by its chemical name (endo,syn)-(~)-3-(3-hydroxy-1-oxo-2-phenylpropoxy)-8-methyl-8-(1-methylethyl)-8-azoniabicyclo[3.2.1 ]octane-bromide.
The name ipratropium for the purposes of the present invention is to be understood as a reference to the free cation 1'.
It has been found that ipratropium salts 1 are suitable for effectively counteracting the side effects, some of them extremely serious, caused by the betamimetics 2. It has also been found that ipratropium salts 1 are suitable for effectively counteracting 'A' CA 02434872 2003-07-15 the side effects caused by the betamimetics 2, which occur particularly severely in the period shortly after administration. It has also been found that ipratropium salts 1 not only help to reduce the side effects which occur particularly in the period shortly after the administration of the betamimetics, but that they also significantly potentiate the desired therapeutic effect of the betamimetics 2 in a synergistic manner.
The present invention therefore relates to long-acting pharmaceutical compositions containing betamimetics 2, characterised in that they also contain ipratropium salts 1, in order to reduce the side effects caused by the administration of the betam imetics.
The present invention further relates to long-acting pharmaceutical compositions containing betamimetics 2, characterised in that they also contain ipratropium salts 1, in order to reduce the side effects caused by the betamimetics in the period shortly after the administration of the betamimetics 2.
The present invention further relates to long-acting pharmaceutical compositions containing betamimetics 2, characterised in that they also contain ipratropium salts 1 in a sufficiently high dose to reduce the side effects caused by the administration of the betamimetics.
The present invention therefore relates to long-acting pharmaceutical compositions containing betamimetics 2, characterised in that they also contain ipratropium salts 1 in order to reduce the side effects caused by the administration of the betamimetics several times a day, preferably twice a day.
The present invention further relates to long-acting pharmaceutical compositions containing betamimetics 2, characterised in that they also contain ipratropium salts 1 in order to reduce the side effects caused by the betamimetics in the period shortly after the administration of the betamimetics 2 several times a day, preferably twice a day.
The present invention further relates to long-acting pharmaceutical compositions containing betamimetics 2, characterised in that they also contain ipratropium salts 1 in a sufficiently high dose to reduce the side effects caused by the administration of the betamimetics several times a day, preferably twice a day.

i '~ CA 02434872 2003-07-15 In the drug combinations mentioned above, the active substances may be present either together in a single preparation or in two separate preparations.
According to the invention, pharmaceutical compositions which contain the active substances and 2 in a single preparation are preferred.
Salmeterol salts or formoterol salts are preferably used as the long-acting betamimetics 2 according to the invention. Any reference to the term betamimetics 2 also includes a reference to the relevant enantiomers or mixtures thereof. Any reference to the preferred compounds 2 according to the invention, the salts of salmeterol and formoterol, also includes the relevant enantiomeric salts of R-salmeterol, S-salmeterol, R,R-formoterol, S,S-formoterol, R,S formoterol, S,R-formoterol and the mixtures thereof, while the enantiomeric salts of R-salmeterol and R,R-formoterol are of particular importance. The compounds 2 may also be present according to the invention in the form of the hydrates or solvates thereof.
Within the scope of the present invention any reference to compounds 2 is to be understood as being a reference to physiologically acceptable acid addition salts. By physiologically acceptable acid addition salts of the betamimetics 2 are meant according to the invention pharmaceutically acceptable salts which are selected from the salts of hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, methanesulphonic acid, acetic acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, 1-hydroxy-2-naphthalenecarboxylic acid or malefic acid. If desired,-mixtures of the abovementioned acids may be used to prepare the salts 2.
According to the invention the salts of the betamimetics 2 selected from among the hydrochloride, hydrobromide, sulphate, phosphate, fumarate, methanesulphonate and xinafoate are preferred. Particularly preferred are the salts of 2 in the case of salmeterol selected from hydrochloride, sulphate and xinafoate, of which the sulphates and xinafoates are especially preferred. According to the invention salmeterol x'h H2S04 and salmeterol xinafoate are of exceptional importance.
Particularly preferred are the salts of 2 in the case of formoterol selected from the hydrochloride, sulphate and fumarate, of which the hydrochloride and fumarate are particularly preferred. According to the invention formoterol fumarate is of exceptional importance.
If, within the scope of the present invention, there is a reference to betamimetics which are not in the salt form, this can be taken to mean a reference to compounds 2'. For example, the preferred betamimetics 2' according to the invention which are a ' CA 02434872 2003-07-15 not in salt form are the free base of formoterol or salmeterol, whereas the particularly preferred compounds 2 according to the invention are, for example, salmeterol xinafoate, salmeterol x'/ H2SOq. or formoterol fumarate.
Within the scope of the present invention the betamimetics 2 are optionally also referred to as sympathomimetics or beta-2-agonists ([32-agonists). All these names can be regarded as equivalent within the scope of the present invention.
By the ipratropium salts 1 which may be used within the scope of the present invention are meant the compounds which contain, in addition to ipratropium as counter-ion (anion), chloride, bromide, iodide, methanesulphonate, para-toluenesulphonate or methylsulphate. Within the scope of the present invention, the methanesulphonate, chloride, bromide and iodide are preferred of all the ipratropium salts 1, the methanesulphonate and bromide being of particular importance. Ipratropium bromide is of outstanding importance according to the invention.
The word ipratropium is intended within the scope of the present invention to refer to the free cation 1'.
In the pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention, 1 may be present in the form of its enantiomers, mixtures of enantiomers or in the form of racemates. If 1 is present in~he form of an enantiomer, the preferred enantiomers are compounds 1 wherein 1' is present in the form of the (endo,syn)-(-)-3-(3-hydroxy-1-oxo-2-phenylpropoxy)-8-methyl-8-(1-methylethyl)-8-azoniabicyclo[3.2.1 )octane.
In one aspect the present invention relates to the abovementioned pharmaceutical compositions which contain, in addition to therapeutically effective quantities of 1 and 2, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In one aspect the present invention relates to the abovementioned pharmaceutical compositions which do not contain any pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in addition to therapeutically effective quantities of 1 and 2.
The present invention also relates to the use of therapeutically effective quantities of ipratropium salts 1 for preparing a pharmaceutical composition containing long-acting betamimetics 2 for treating inflammatory or obstructive diseases of the respiratory tract, particularly asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), while simultaneously reducing the stimulant effects on the heart caused by betamimetics 2 particularly tachycardia, palpitations, angina pectoris-like pain and arrhythmia.
Preferably, the present invention relates to the abovementioned use for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for treating inflammatory or obstructive diseases of the respiratory tract, particularly asthma or COPD, while simultaneously reducing the stimulant effects on the heart caused by betamimetics 2 particularly tachycardia, palpitations, angina pectoris-like pain and arrhythmia, in the period shortly after adm inistration.
Preferably, the present invention relates to the abovementioned use for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for treating inflammatory or obstructive diseases of the respiratory tract, particularly asthma or COPD, while simultaneously reducing the stimulant effects on the heart caused by administration of the betamimetics 2 several times a day, preferably twice a days particularly tachycardia, palpitations, angina pectoris-like pain and arrhythmia.
Preferably, the present invention relates to the abovementioned uses of ipratropium salts 1 for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for treating inflammatory or obstructive diseases of the respiratory tract, particularly asthma or COPD, while simultaneously reducing tachycardia.
Within the scope of the present invention the compounds 1 and 2 may be administered simultaneously or successively, although it is preferable according to the invention to administer compounds 1 and 2 simultaneously.
The present invention further relates to the use of therapeutically efFective amounts of ipratropium salts 1 and long-acting betamimetics 2 for treating inflammatory or obstructive diseases of the respiratory tract, particularly asthma or COPD, while simultaneously reducing the stimulant effects on the heart caused by betamimetics 2 particularly tachycardia, palpitations, angina pectoris-like pain and arrhythmia.
Preferably, the present invention relates to the abovementioned use for treating inflammatory or obstructive diseases of the respiratory tract, particularly asthma or COPD, while simultaneously reducing the stimulant effects on the heart caused by betamimetics 2 particularly tachycardia, palpitations, angina pectoris-like pain and arrhythmia, in the period shortly after administration.

i '' CA 02434872 2003-07-15 Preferably, the present invention relates to the abovementioned use far treating inflammatory or obstructive diseases of the respiratory tract, particularly asthma or COPD, while simultaneously reducing the stimulant effects on the heart caused by administration of the betamimetics 2 several times a day, preferably twice a day particularly tachycardia, palpitations, angina pectoris-like pain and arrhythmia.
Preferably, the present invention relates to the abovementioned uses of ipratropium salts 1 for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for treating inflammatory or obstructive diseases of the respiratory tract, particularly asthma or COPD, while simultaneously reducing tachycardia.
The proportions in which the two active substances 1 and 2 may be used in the active substance combinations according to the invention are variable. Active substances _1 and 2 may possibly be present in the form of their solvates or hydrates.
Depending on the choice of the salts 1 and 2, the weight ratios which may be used within the scope of the present invention vary on the basis of the different molecular weights of the various salt forms. Consequently, the weight ratios given hereinafter were based on the ipratropium cation 1' and the free bases 2' of the preferred betamimetics according to the invention, namely salmeterol and formoterol.
The combinations of active substances according to the invention may contain 1' and _2' in the case of formoterol, fo~example, in weight ratios in the range from about-a :5 to 300:1, preferably 1:4 to 200:1, preferably 1:3 to 150:1, preferably 1:2 to 100:1, preferably 1:1 to 65:1, most preferably from 2:1 to 50:1.
For example, without limiting the scope of the invention thereto, preferred combinations of _1 and _2 according to the invention may contain ipratropium 1' and formoterol 2' in the following weight ratios: 1:3, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1, 11:1, 12:1, 13:1, 14:1, 15:1, 16:1, 17:1, 18:1, 19:1, 20:1, 21:1, 22:1, 23:1, 24:1, 25:1, 26:1, 27:1, 28:1, 29:1, 30:1, 31:1, 32:1, 33:1, 34:1, 35:1, 36:1, 37:1, 38:1, 39:1, 40:1, 41:1, 42:1, 43:1, 44:1, 45:1, 46:1, 47:1, 48:1, 49:1, 50:1, 51:1, 52:1, 53:1, 54:1, 55:1, 56:1, 57:1, 58:1, 59:1, 60:1, 61:1, 62:1, 63:1, 64:1, 65:1, 66:1, 67:1, 68:1, 69:1, 70:1, 71:1, 72:1, 73:1, 74:1, 75:1, 76:1, 77:1, 78:1, 79:1, 80:1, 81:1, 82:1, 83:1, 84:1, 85:1.
The pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention containing the combinations of 1 and _2 are preferably used with ipratropium 1' and formoterol 2' present together in doses from 5 to 5000Ng, preferably 10 to 2000Ng, particularly ' CA 02434872 2003-07-15 preferably 15 to 1000Ng, more preferably 20 to 800Ng, according to the invention preferably 30 to 600Ng, preferably 40 to 500Ng, preferably 30 to 400Ng, preferably 40 to 300Ng, particularly preferably 50 to 250Ng per single dose.
For example, combinations of 1 and 2 according to the invention contain an amount of ipratropium 1' and formoterol 2' such that the total dose per single dose is about 20N9, 25N9~ 30N9~ 35Ng, 45Ng, 50Ng, 55N9~ 60Ng~ 65N9~ 70N9~ 75Ng, 80N9~ 85Ng, 90Ng, 95Ng, 100Ng, 105Ng, 110Ng, 115Ng, 120Ng, 125Ng, 130Ng, 135Ng, 140Ng, 145Ng, 150Ng, 155Ng, 160Ng, 165Ng, 170Ng, 175Ng, 180Ng, 185Ng, 190Ng, 195Ng, 200Ng, 205Ng, 210Ng, 215Ng, 220Ng, 225Ng, 230Ng, 235Ng, 240Ng, 245Ng, 250Ng, 255Ng, 260Ng, 265Ng, 270Ng, 275Ng, 280Ng, 285Ng, 290Ng, 295Ng, 300Ng, 305Ng, 310Ng, 315Ng, 320Ng, 325Ng, 330Ng, 335Ng, 340Ng, 345Ng, 350Ng, 355Ng, 360Ng, 365Ng, 370Ng, 375Ng, 380Ng, 385Ng, 390Ng, 395Ng, 400Ng, 405Ng, 410Ng, 415Ng, 420Ng, 425Ng, 430Ng, 435Ng, 440Ng, 445Ng, 450Ng, 455Ng, 460Ng, 465Ng, 470Ng, 475Ng, 480Ng, 485Ng, 490Ng, 495Ng, 500Ng, 505Ng, 510Ng, 515Ng, 520Ng or the like. It is apparent to anyone skilled in the art that the abovementioned proposed dosages per single dose should not be regarded as being limited to the numerical values explicitly stated. Fluctuations of about ~ 2.5 Ng, particularly fluctuations in the decimal range are also included, as is apparent to anyone skilled in the art.
In these dosage ranges the active substances 1' and 2' are present in the weight ratios described hereinbefore.
For example, and without restricting the scope of the invention thereto, the combinations of 1 and 2 according to the invention may contain an amount of ipratropium 1' and formoterol 2' such that for example 16.1 Ng of 1' and 4.9Ng of 2' 16.1 of Ng 1' and 9.8Ng of 2', 16.1 Ng of 1' and 14.7Ng of 2', 16.1 Ng of 1' and 19.6Ng of 2', 16.1 Ng of 1' and 24.4Ng of 2', 32.2Ng of 1' and 4.9Ng of 2', 32.2Ng of 1' and 9.8Ng of 2', 32.2Ng of 1' and 14.7Ng of 2', 32.2Ng of 1' and 19.6Ng of 2', 32.2Ng of 1' and 24.4Ng of 2', 48.3Ng of 1' and 4.9Ng of 2', 48.3Ng of 1' and 9.8Ng of 2', 48.3Ng of 1' and 14.7Ng of 2', 48.3Ng of 1' and 19.6Ng of 2', 48.3Ng of 1' and 24.4Ng of 2', 80.5Ng of 1' and 4.9Ng of 2', 80.5Ng of 1' and 9.8Ng of 2', 80.5Ng of 1' and 14.7Ng of 2', 80.5Ng of 1' and 19.6Ng of 2', 80.5Ng of 1' and 24.4Ng of 2', 161 Ng of 1' and 4.9Ng of 2', 161 Ng of 1' and 9.8Ng of 2', 161 Ng of 1' and 14.7Ng of 2', 161 Ng of 1' and 19.6Ng of 2', 161 Ng of 1' and 24.4Ng of 2', 201.SNg of 1' and 4.9Ng of 2', 201.SNg of 1' and 9.8Ng of 2', 201.SNg of 1' and 14.7Ng of 2', 201.5Ng of 1' and 19.6Ng of 2', 201.SNg of 1' and 24.4Ng of 2', 403Ng of 1' and 4.9Ng of 2', 403Ng of 1' and 9.8Ng of 2', 403Ng of 1' and 14.7Ng of 2', 403Ng of 1' and 19.6Ng of 2', 403Ng of 1' and 24.4Ng of 2' are present per single dose.

If as the preferred combination of 1 and 2 according to the invention the active substance combination is used wherein 1 denotes ipratropium bromide and 2 denotes formoterol fumarate, the quantities of active substance 1' and 2' administered per single dose as mentioned above correspond to the following amounts of 1 and 2 administered per single dose: 20Ng of 1 and 5.7Ng of 2, 20pg of 1 and 11.5pg of 2, 20pg of 1 and 17.2Ng of 2, 20Ng of 1 and 22.9Ng of _2, 20pg of _1 and 28.5Ng of 2, 40Ng of 1 and 5.7pg of 2, 40pg of 1 and 11.5pg of 2, 40Ng of _1 and 17.2Ng of 2, 40pg of 1 and 22.9pg of 2, 40Ng of 1 and 28.5~g of 2, 60Ng of _1 and 5.7pg of 2, 60Ng of 1 and 11.5pg of 2, 60Ng of 1 and 17.2Ng of 2, 60Ng of 1 and 22.9Ng of 2, 60pg of 1 and 28.5Ng of 2, 100pg of 1 and 5.7Ng of 2, 100pg of _1 and 11.SNg of 2, 1 OONg of 1 and 17.2Ng of 2, 1 OONg of 1 and 22.9Ng of 2, 100Ng of _1 and 28.5pg of 2, 200Ng of 1 and 5.7Ng of 2, 200Ng of 1 and 11.5pg of 2, 200Ng of _1 and 17.2pg of 2, 200Ng of 1 and 22.9Ng of 2, 200Ng of 1 and 28.5Ng of 2, 250Ng of 1 and 5.7Ng of 2, 250Ng of 1 and 11.5pg of 2, 250pg of 1 and 17.2Ng of 2, 250Ng of 1 and 22.9Ng of 2, 250Ng of 1 and 28.5pg of 2, 500pg of 1 and 5.7Ng of 2, 500trg of 1 and 11.5pg of 2, 500pg of 1 and 17.2pg of 2, 500Ng of 1 and 22.9Ng of 2, 500Ng of 1 and 28.5pg of 2.
If the preferred combination of 1 and 2 used according to the invention is the active substance combination wherein 2 denotes formoterol fumarate dihydrate and if ipratropium bromide monohydrate is used as 1.Tfor example, the quantities of active substance 1' and 2' administered per single dose as mentioned above by way of example correspond to the following amounts of 1 and 2 administered per single dose: 20.8Ng of 1 and 6Ng of 2, 20.8Ng of 1 and 12pg of 2, 20.8Ng of 1 and 18pg of 2, 20.8pg of 1 and 24Ng of 2, 20.8Ng of 1 and 30pg of 2, 41.7Ng of 1 and 6Ng of 2, 41.7Ng of 1 and 12Ng of 2, 41.7Ng of 1 and 18Ng of 2, 41.7Ng of 1 and 24Ng of 2, 41.7pg of 1 and 30Ng of 2, 62.5Ng of 1 and 6Ng of 2, 62.5Ng of 1 and 12Ng of 2, 62.5Ng of 1 and 18Ng of 2, 62.5pg of 1 and 24pg of 2, 62.5Ng of 1 and 30Ng of 2, 104.2Ng of 1 and 6Ng of 2, 104.2Ng of 1 and 12Ng of 2, 104.2pg of 1 and 18Ng of 2, 104.2pg of 1 and 24pg of 2, 104.2pg of 1 and 30Ng of 2, 208.3Ng of 1 and 6Ng of 2, 208.3Ng of 1 and 12pg of 2, 208.3pg of 1 and 18Ng of 2, 208.3pg of 1 and 24pg of 2, 208.3pg of 1 and 30Ng of 2, 260.7pg of 1 and 6Ng of 2, 260.7pg of 1 and 12Ng of 2, 260.7Ng of 1 and 18Ng of 2, 260.7pg of 1 and 24Ng of 2, 260.7Ng of 1 and 30Ng of 2, 521.5pg of 1 and 6Ng of 2, 521.SNg of 1 and 12Ng of 2, 521.5pg of 1 and 18Ng of 2, 521.5pg of 1 and 24Ng of 2, 521.5Ng of 1 and 30Ng of 2.

a ' CA 02434872 2003-07-15 The active substance combinations according to the invention may contain _1' and 2' in the case of salmeterol, for example, in weight ratios in the range from about 1:30 to 400:1, preferably 1:25 to 200:1, preferably 1:20 to 100:1, preferably 1:15 to 50:1, preferably 1:13 to 20:1, preferably 1:1 to 15:1, for example.
For example, and without restricting the scope of the invention thereto, preferred combinations of 1 and 2 according to the invention may contain ipratropium _1' and salmeterol 2' in the following weight ratios: 1:15, 1:14, 1:13, 1:12, 1:11, 1:10, 1:9, 1:8, 1:7, 1:6, 1:5, 1:4, 1:3, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1, 11:1, 12:1, 13:1, 14:1, 15:1, 16:1, 17:1, 18:1, 19:1, 20:1.
The pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention containing the combinations of 1 and 2 are preferably administered so that ipratropium 1' and salmeterol 2' are given together in doses from 5 to 5000Ng, preferably from 10 to 2000Ng, particularly preferably 15 to 1000Ng, more preferably 20 to 800Ng, preferably according to the invention 30 to 700Ng, preferably from 40 to 600Ng, preferably 50 to 550Ng, preferably 40 to 500Ng, particularly preferably 50 to 400Ng per single dose.
For example, combinations of 1 and 2 according to the invention contain a quantity of ipratropium 1' and salmeterol 2' such that the total dosage per single dose is about 35Ng~ 45Ng, 50Ng~ 55Ng,~ONg, 65Ng, 70Ng~ 75Ng, 80N9, 85Ng~ 90Ng, 95Ng~-100Ng, 105Ng, 110Ng, 115Ng, 120Ng, 125Ng, 130Ng, 135Ng, 140Ng, 145Ng, 150Ng, 155Ng, 160Ng, 165Ng, 170Ng, 175Ng, 180Ng, 185Ng, 190Ng, 195Ng, 200Ng, 205Ng, 210Ng, 215Ng, 220Ng, 225Ng, 230Ng, 235Ng, 240Ng, 245Ng, 250Ng, 255Ng, 260Ng, 265Ng, 270Ng, 275Ng, 280Ng, 285Ng, 290Ng, 295Ng, 300Ng, 305Ng, 310Ng, 315Ng, 320Ng, 325Ng, 330Ng, 335Ng, 340Ng, 345Ng, 350Ng, 355Ng, 360Ng, 365Ng, 370Ng, 375Ng, 380Ng, 385Ng, 390Ng, 395Ng, 400Ng, 405Ng, 410Ng, 415Ng, 420Ng, 425Ng, 430Ng, 435Ng, 440Ng, 445Ng, 450Ng, 455Ng, 460Ng, 465Ng, 470Ng, 475Ng, 480Ng, 485Ng, 490Ng, 495Ng, 500Ng, 505Ng, 510Ng, 515Ng, 520Ng, 525Ng, 530Ng, 535Ng, 540Ng, 545Ng, 550Ng, 555Ng, 560Ng, 565Ng, 570Ng, 575Ng, 580Ng, 585Ng, 590Ng, 595Ng, 600Ng, 605Ng, 61 ONg or the like. It is clear to the skilled man that the above suggestions of dosages per single dose should not be regarded as being restricted to the numerical values specifically stated. Fluctuations of about ~ 2.5 Ng, particularly fluctuations in the decimal range are also included, as is apparent to anyone skilled in the art. In these dosage ranges the active substances 1' and 2' are present in the weight ratios described hereinbefore.

For example, and without restricting the scope of the invention thereto, the combinations of 1 and 2 according to the invention may contain an amount of ipratropium 1' and formoterol 2' such that for example 16.1 Ng of 1' and 25pg of 2' 16.1 pg of 1' and 50Ng of 2', 16.1 pg of 1' and 75Ng of 2', 16.1 Ng of 1' and 1 OONg of 2', 16.1 pg of 1' and 200Ng of 2', 32.2pg of 1' and 25Ng of 2', 32.2pg of _1' and 50pg of 2', 32.2Ng of 1' and 75pg of 2', 32.2pg of 1' and 100Ng of 2', 32.2Ng of 1' and 200pg of 2', 48.3pg of 1' and 25pg of 2', 48.3Ng of 1' and 50Ng of 2', 48.3pg of 1' and 75pg of 2', 48.3Ng of 1' and 100pg of 2', 48.3Ng of 1' and 200pg of 2', 80.5pg of 1' and 25Ng of 2', 80.5Ng of 1' and 50pg of 2', 80.5Ng of 1' and 75pg of 2', 80.5pg of 1' and 1 OONg of 2', 80.5pg of 1' and 200pg of 2', 161 Ng of 1' and 25Ng of 2', 161 Ng of 1' and 50Ng of 2', 161 Ng of 1' and 75Ng of 2', 161 Ng of 1' and 1 OOpg of 2', 161 Ng of 1' and 200Ng of 2', 201.5pg of 1' and 25pg of 2', 201.5Ng of 1' and 50pg of 2', 201.SNg of 1' and 75pg of 2', 201.5pg of 1' and 100pg of 2', 201.SNg of 1' and 200Ng of 2', 403Ng of 1' and 25Ng of 2', 403Ng of 1' and 50Ng of 2', 403Ng of 1' and 75Ng of 2', 403Ng of 1' and 100Ng of 2', 403Ng of 1' and 200Ng of 2' are present per single dose.
If as the preferred combination of 1 and 2 according to the invention the active substance combination is used wherein 1 denotes ipratropium bromide and 2 denotes salmeterol xinafoate, the quantities of active substance 1' and 2' administered per single dose as mentioned above by way of example correspond to the following amounts of 1 and 2 administered per single dose: 2-0pg of 1 and 36.3Ng of 2, 20pg of 1 and 72.6Ng of 2, 20Ng of 1 and 108.9Ng of 2, 20Ng of 1 and 145.2Ng of 2, 20pg of 1 and 290.4Ng of 2, 40Ng of 1 and 36.3Ng of 2, 40Ng of 1 and 72.6pg of 2, 40pg of 1 and 108.9pg of 2, 40Ng of 1 and 145.2Ng of 2, 40pg of 1 and 290.4Ng of 2, 60pg of 1 and 36.3Ng of 2, 60pg of 1 and 72.6pg of 2, 60Ng of 1 and 108.9Ng of 2, 60Ng of 1 and 145.2Ng of 2, 60pg of 1 and 290.4pg of 2, 100Ng of 1 and 36.3Ng of 2, 100pg of 1 and 72.6Ng of 2, 100Ng of 1 and 108.9Ng of 2, 100pg of 1 and 145.2pg of 2, 100pg of 1 and 290.4Ng of 2, 200Ng of 1 and 36.3Ng of 2, 200pg of 1 and 72.6pg of 2, 200Ng of 1 and 108.9pg of 2, 200pg of 1 and 145.2Ng of 2, 200pg of 1 and 290.4Ng of 2, 250Ng of 1 and 36.3pg of 2, 250Ng of 1 and 72.6pg of 2, 250Ng of and 108.9Ng of 2, 250Ng of 1 and 145.2Ng of 2, 250Ng of 1 and 290.4Ng of 2, 500pg of 1 and 36.3Ng of 2, 500Ng of 1 and 72.6Ng of 2, 500pg of 1 and 108.9Ng of 2, 500Ng of 1 and 145.2Ng of 2, 500Ng of 1 and 290.4pg of 2.
If as the preferred combination of 1 and 2 according to the invention the active substance combination is used wherein 1 denotes ipratropium bromide monohydrate and 2 denotes salmeterol xinafoate, the quantities of active substance 1' and 2' ' CA 02434872 2003-07-15 administered per single dose as mentioned above by way of example correspond to the following amounts of 1 and 2 administered per single dose: 20.8Ng of 1 and 36.3Ng of 2, 20.8Ng of 1 and 72.6pg of 2, 20.8pg of 1 and 108.9pg of 2, 20.8Ng of 1 and 145.2pg of 2, 20.8Ng of 1 and 290.4pg of 2, 41.7Ng of 1 and 36.3pg of 2, 41.7Ng of 1 and 72.6Ng of 2, 41.7Ng of 1 and 108.9pg of 2, 41.7Ng of 1 and 145.2Ng of 2, 41.7Ng of 1 and 290.4Ng of 2, 62.5Ng of 1 and 36.3Ng of 2, 62.5Ng of 1 and 72.6Ng of 2, 62.5pg of 1 and 108.9Ng of 2, 62.5pg of 1 and 145.2Ng of 2, 62.5Ng of 1 and 290.4Ng of 2, 104.2Ng of 1 and 36.3pg of 2, 104.2Ng of 1 and 72.6Ng of 2, 104.2Ng of 1 and 108.9Ng of 2, 104.2pg of 1 and 145.2pg of 2, 104.2Ng of 1 and 290.4Ng of 2, 208.3Ng of 1 and 36.3pg of 2, 208.3Ng of 1 and 72.6pg of 2, 208.3pg of 1 and 108.9pg of 2, 208.3pg of 1 and 145.2pg of 2, 208.3Ng of 1 and 290.4Ng of 2, 260.7Ng of 1 and 36.3Ng of 2, 260.7Ng of 1 and 72.6pg of 2, 260.7pg of 1 and 108.9pg of 2, 260.7Ng of 1 and 145.2pg of 2, 260.7Ng of 1 and 290.4Ng of 2, 521.5pg of 1 and 36.3Ng of 2, 521.5Ng of 1 and 72.6Ng of 2, 521.5pg of 1 and 108.9Ng of 2, 521.5Ng of 1 and 145.2pg of 2, 521.5Ng of 1 and 290.4pg of 2.
The amounts of active substance administered per single dose in the drug combinations according to the invention may be calculated analogously if salmeterol-1l2-sulphate is used instead of salmeterol xinafoate as compound 2 according to the invention.
The active substance combinations of 1 and 2 according to the invention are preferably administered by inhalation. For this purpose, ingredients 1 and 2 have to be made available in forms suitable for inhalation. Inhalable preparations include inhalable powders, propellant-containing metering aerosols or propellant-free inhalable solutions. Inhalable powders according to the invention containing the combination of active substances 1 and 2 may consist of the active substances on their own or of a mixture of the active substances with physiologically acceptable excipients. Within the scope of the present invention, the term propellant-free inhalable solutions also includes concentrates or sterile inhalable solutions ready for use. The preparations according to the invention may contain the combination of active substances 1 and 2 either together in one formulation or in two separate formulations. These formulations which may be used within the scope of the present invention are described in more detail in the next part of the specification.
A) Inhalable powder containing the combinations of active substances 1 and 2 according to the invention:

i The inhalable powders according to the invention may contain 1 and 2 either on their own or in admixture with suitable physiologically acceptable excipients. If the active substances 1 and 2 are present in admixture with physiologically acceptable excipients, the following physiologically acceptable excipients may be used to prepare these inhalable powders according to the invention: monosaccharides (e.g.
glucose or arabinose), disaccharides (e.g. lactose, saccharose, maltose), oligo- and polysaccharides (e.g. dextrane), polyalcohols (e.g. sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol), salts (e.g. sodium chloride, calcium carbonate) or mixtures of these excipients with one another. Preferably, mono- or disaccharides are used, while the use of lactose or glucose is preferred, particularly, but not exclusively, in the form of their hydrates.
Within the scope of the inhalable powders according to the invention the excipients have a maximum average particle size of up to 250pm, preferably between 10 and 150pm, most preferably between 15 and 80Nm. It may sometimes seem appropriate to add finer excipient fractions with an average particle size of 1 to 9Nm to the excipient mentioned above. These finer excipients are also selected from the group of possible excipients listed hereinbefore. Finally, in order to prepare the inhalable powders according to the invention, micronised active substance 1 and 2 preferably with an average particle size of 0.5 to 1 O~,m, more preferably from 1 to 6p,m, is added to the excipient mixture. Processes for producing the inhalable powders according to the invention by grinding and micronising and by finally mixing the ingredients together are known~~om the prior art. The inhalable powders according to the invention may be prepared and administered either in the form of a single powder mixture which contains both 1 and 2 or in the form of separate inhalable powders which contain only 1 or 2.
The inhalable powders according to the invention may be administered using inhalers known from the prior art. Inhalable powders according to the invention which contain a physiologically acceptable excipient in addition to 1 and 2 may be administered, for example, by means of inhalers which deliver a single dose from a supply using a measuring chamber as described in US 4570630A, or by other means as described in DE 36 25 685 A. The inhalable powders according to the invention which contain 1 and 2 optionally in conjunction with a physiologically acceptable excipient may be administered, for example, using the inhaler known by the name Turbuhaler~ or using inhalers as disclosed for example in EP 237507 A.
Preferably, the inhalable powders according to the invention which contain physiologically acceptable excipient in addition to 1 and 2 are packed into capsules ~r (to produce so-called inhalettes) which are used in inhalers as described, for example, in WO 94/28958.
A particularly preferred inhaler for using the pharmaceutical combination according to the invention in inhalettes is shown in Figure 1.
This inhaler (Handihaler) for inhaling powdered pharmaceutical compositions from capsules is characterised by a housing 1 containing two windows 2, a deck 3 in which there are air inlet portions and which is provided with a screen 5 secured via a screen housing 4, an inhalation chamber 6 connected to the deck 3 on which there is a push button 8 provided with two sharpened pins 7 and movable counter to a spring 8, and a mouthpiece 12 which is connected to the housing 1, the deck 3 and a cover 11 via a spindle 10 to enable it to be flipped open or shut.
If the inhalable powders according to the invention are packed into capsules (inhalers) for the preferred use described above, the quantities packed into each capsule should be 1 to 30mg per capsule. These capsules contain, according to the invention, either together or separately, the doses of 1 or 1' and 2 or 2' mentioned hereinbefore for each single dose.
B) Propellant gas-driven inhalation aerosols containing the combinations of active substances 1 and 2:
Inhalation aerosols containing propellant gas according to the invention may contain substances 1 and 2 dissolved in the propellant gas or in dispersed form. 1 and 2 may be present in separate formulations or in a single preparation, in which 1 and 2 are either both dissolved, both dispersed or only one component is dissolved and the other is dispersed. The propellant gases which may be used to prepare the inhalation aerosols according to the invention are known from the prior art.
Suitable propellant gases are selected from among hydrocarbons such as n-propane, n-butane or isobutane and halohydrocarbons such as preferably chlorinated and fluorinated derivatives of methane, ethane, propane, butane, cyclopropane or cyclobutane. The propellant gases mentioned above may be used on their own or in mixtures thereof. Particularly preferred propellant gases are halogenated alkane derivatives selected from TG 11, TG 12, TG 134a ( 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane), (1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane) and mixtures thereof, the propellant gases TG134a, TG227 and mixtures thereof being preferred.

The propellant-driven inhalation aerosols according to the invention may also contain other ingredients such as co-solvents, stabilisers, surtactants, antioxidants, lubricants and pH adjusters. All these ingredients are known in the art.
The inhalation aerosols containing propellant gas according to the invention may contain up to 5 wt.-% of active substance 1 andlor 2. Aerosols according to the invention contain, for example, 0.002 to 5 wt.-%, 0.01 to 3 wt.-%, 0.015 to 2 wt.-%, 0.1 to 2 wt.-%, 0.5 to 2 wt.-% or 0.5 to 1 wt.% of active substance 1 andlor 2.
If the active substances 1 and/or 2 are present in dispersed form, the particles of active substance preferably have an average particle size of up to 10~.m, preferably from 0.1 to 5wm, more preferably from 1 to 5wm.
The propellant-driven inhalation aerosols according to the invention mentioned above may be administered using inhalers known in the art (MDIs = metered dose inhalers). Accordingly, in another aspect, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions in the form of propellant-driven aerosols as hereinbefore described combined with one or more inhalers suitable for administering these aerosols. In addition, the present invention relates to inhalers which are characterised in that they contain the propellant gas-containing aerosols described above according to the invention. The present invention also relates to partridges which are fitted with a suitable valve and can be used in a suitable inhaler and which contain one of the above-mentioned propellant gas-containing inhalation aerosols according to the invention. Suitable cartridges and methods of filling these cartridges with the inhalable aerosols containing propellant gas according to the invention are known from the prior art.
C) Propellant-free inhalable solutions or suspensions containing the combinations of active substances 1 and 2 according to the invention:
It is particularly preferred to use the active substance combination according to the invention in the form of propellant free inhalable solutions and suspensions if salmeterol-112-sulphate is used as the betamimetic 2 in the drug combinations according to the invention. The solvent used may be an aqueous or alcoholic, preferably an ethanolic solution. The solvent may be water on its own or a mixture of water and ethanol. The relative proportion of ethanol compared with water is not limited but the maximum is up to 70 percent by volume, more particularly up to percent by volume and most preferably up to 30 percent by volume. The remainder of the volume is made up of water. The solutions or suspensions containing 1 and 2, ' ''~ CA 02434872 2003-07-15 separately or together, are adjusted to a pH of 2 to 7, preferably 2 to 5, using suitable acids. The pH may be adjusted using acids selected from inorganic or organic acids. Examples of suitable inorganic acids include hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, nitric acid, sulphuric acid andlor phosphoric acid. Examples of particularly suitable organic acids include ascorbic acid, citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, malefic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, acetic acid, formic acid and/or propionic acid etc. Preferred inorganic acids are hydrochloric and sulphuric acids. It is also possible to use the acids which have already formed an acid addition salt with one of the active substances. Of the organic acids, ascorbic acid, furnaric acid and citric acid are preferred. If desired, mixtures of the above acids may be used, particularly in the case of acids which have other properties in addition to their acidifying qualities, e.g. as flavourings, antioxidants or complexing agents, such as citric acid or ascorbic acid, for example. According to the invention, it is particularly preferred to use hydrochloric acid to adjust the pH.
According to the invention, the addition of edetic acid (EDTA) or one of the known salts thereof, sodium edetate, as stabiliser or complexing agent is unnecessary in the present formulation. Other embodiments may contain this compound or these compounds. In a preferred embodiment the content based on sodium edetate is less than 100mg/100m1, preferably less than 50mg/ ml, more preferably less than 20mglml. Generally, inhalable solutions in which the content of sodium edetate is from 0 to 10mg/100m1 are preferred. -_ Co-solvents andlor other excipients may be added to the propellant free inhalable solutions according to the invention. Preferred co-solvents are those which contain hydroxyl groups or other polar groups, e.g. alcohols - particularly isopropyl alcohol, glycols - particularly propyleneglycol, polyethyleneglycol, polypropyleneglycol, glycolether, glycerol, polyoxyethylene alcohols and polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters.
The terms excipients and additives in this context denote any pharmacologically acceptable substance which is not an active substance but which can be formulated with the active substance or substances in the pharmacologically suitable solvent in order to improve the qualitative properties of the active substance formulation.
Preferably, these substances have no pharmacological effect or, in connection with the desired therapy, no appreciable or at least no undesirable pharmacological effect. The excipients and additives include, for example, surfactants such as soya lecithin, oleic acid, sorbitan esters, such as polysorbates, polyvinylpyrrolidone, other stabilisers, complexing agents, antioxidants and/or preservatives which guarantee or prolong the shelf life of the finished pharmaceutical formulation, flavourings, vitamins andlor other additives known in the art. The additives also include pharmacologically acceptable salts such as sodium chloride as isotonic agents.
The preferred excipients include antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, for example, provided that it has not already been used to adjust the pH, vitamin A, vitamin E, tocopherols and similar vitamins and provitamins occurring in the human body.
Preservatives may be used to protect the formulation from contamination with pathogens. Suitable preservatives are those which are known in the art, particularly cetyl pyridinium chloride, benzalkonium chloride or benzoic acid or benzoates such as sodium benzoate in the concentration known from the prior art. The preservatives mentioned above are preferably present in concentrations of up to 50mg/100m1, more preferably between 5 and 20mg1100m1.
Preferred formulations contain, in addition to the solvent water and the combination of active substances 1 and 2, only benzalkonium chloride and sodium edetate.
In another preferred embodiment, no sodium edetate is present.
The propellant-free inhalable solutions according to the invention are administered in particular using inhalers of the kind which are capable of nebulising a small amount of a liquid formulation in the therapeutic dose within a few seconds to produce an aerosol suitable #or therapeutic inhalation. Within the scope of the--present invention, preferred inhalers are those in which a quantity of less than 100~,L, preferably less than 50~,L, more preferably between 10 and 30~L of active substance solution can be nebulised in preferably one spray action to form an aerosol with an average particle size of less than 20~,m, preferably less than 10~,m, in such a way that the inhalable part of the aerosol corresponds to the therapeutically effective quantity.
An apparatus of this kind for propellant-free delivery of a metered quantity of a liquid pharmaceutical composition for inhalation is described for example in International Patent Application WO 91114468 and also in WO 97/12687 (cf. in particular Figures 6a and 6b). The nebulisers (devices) described therein are known by the name Respimat~.
This nebuliser (Respimat~) can advantageously be used to produce the inhalable aerosols according to the invention containing the combination of active substances 1 and 2. Because of its cylindrical shape and handy size of less than 9 to 15 cm long and 2 to 4 cm wide, this device can be carried at all times by the patient. The nebuliser sprays a defined volume of pharmaceutical formulation using high pressures through small nozzles so as to produce inhalable aerosols.
The preferred atomiser essentially consists of an upper housing part, a pump housing, a nozzle, a locking mechanism, a spring housing, a spring and a storage container, characterised by - a pump housing which is secured in the upper housing part and which comprises at one end a nozzle body with the nozzle or nozzle arrangement, - a hollow plunger with valve body, - a power takeoff flange in which the hollow plunger is secured and which is located in the upper housing part, - a locking mechanism situated in the upper housing part, - a spring housing with the spring contained therein, which is rotatably mounted on the upper housing part by means of a rotary bearing, - a lower housing part which is fitted onto the spring housing in the axial direction.
The hollow plunger with valve body corresponds to a device disclosed in WO 97112687. It projects partially into the cylinder of the pump housing and is axially movable within the cylinder. Reference is made in particular to Figures 1 to 4, especially Figure 3, and the relevant parts of the description. The hollow plunger with valve body exerts a pressure of 5 to 60 Mpa (about 50 to 600 bar), preferably 10 ~~ 60 Mpa (about 100 to 600 bar) on the fluid, the-measured amount of active substance solution, at its high pressure end at the moment when the spring is actuated. Volumes of 10 to 50 microlitres are preferred, while volumes of 10 to 20 microlitres are particularly preferred and a volume of 15 microlitres per spray is most particularly preferred.
The valve body is preferably mounted at the end of the hollow plunger facing the valve body.
The nozzle in the nozzle body is preferably microstructured, i.e. produced by microtechnology. Microstructured valve bodies are disclosed for example in WO-94107607; reference is hereby made to the contents of this specification, particularly Figure 1 therein and the associated description.
The valve body consists for example of two sheets of glass andlor silicon firmly joined together, at least one of which has one or more microstructured channels which connect the nozzle inlet end to the nozzle outlet end. At the nozzle outlet end there is at least one round or non-round opening 2 to 10 microns deep and 5 to microns wide, the depth preferably being 4.5 to 6.5 microns while the length is preferably 7 to 9 microns.

In the case of a plurality of nozzle openings, preferably two, the directions of spraying of the nozzles in the nozzle body may extend parallel to one another or may be inclined relative to one another in the direction of the nozzle opening. In a nozzle body with at least two nozzle openings at the outlet end the directions of spraying may be at an angle of 20 to 160° to one another, preferably 60 to 150°, most preferably 80 to 100°. The nozzle openings are preferably arranged at a spacing of to 200 microns, more preferably at a spacing of 10 to 100 microns, most preferably 30 to 70 microns. Spacings of 50 microns are most preferred. The directions of spraying will therefore meet in the vicinity of the nozzle openings.
The liquid pharmaceutical preparation strikes the nozzle body with an entry pressure of up to 600 bar, preferably 200 to 300 bar, and is atomised into an inhalable aerosol through the nozzle openings. The preferred particle or droplet sizes of the aerosol are up to 20 microns, preferably 3 to 10 microns.
The locking mechanism contains a spring, preferably a cylindrical helical compression spring, as a store for the mechanical energy. The spring acts on the power takeoff flange as an actuating member the movement of which is determined by the position of a locking member. The travel of the power takeoff flange is precisely limited by an upper and lower stop. The spring is preferably biased, via a power step-up gear, e.g. a helical thrust gear, by an external torque which is produced when the upper housing part is rotated counter to the spring housing in the --- lower housing part. In this case, the upper housing part and the power takeoff flange-have a single or multiple V-shaped gear.
The locking member with engaging locking surfaces is arranged in a ring around the power takeoff flange. It consists, for example, of a ring of plastic or metal which is inherently radially elastically deformable. The ring is arranged in a plane at right angles to the atomiser axis. After the biasing of the spring, the locking surfaces of the locking member move into the path of the power takeoff flange and prevent the spring from relaxing. The locking member is actuated by means of a button. The actuating button is connected or coupled to the locking member. In order to actuate the locking mechanism, the actuating button is moved parallel to the annular plane, preferably into the atomiser; this causes the deformable ring to deform in the annual plane. Details of the construction of the locking mechanism are given in WO 97/20590.
The lower housing part is pushed axially over the spring housing and covers the mounting, the drive of the spindle and the storage container for the fluid.

When the atomiser is actuated the upper housing part is rotated relative to the lower housing part, the lower housing part taking the spring housing with it. The spring is thereby compressed and biased by means of the helical thrust gear and the locking mechanism engages automatically. The angle of rotation is preferably a whole-number fraction of 360 degrees, e.g. 180 degrees. At the same time as the spring is biased, the power takeoff part in the upper housing part is moved along by a given distance, the hollow plunger is withdrawn inside the cylinder in the pump housing, as a result of which some of the fluid is sucked out of the storage container and into the high pressure chamber in front of the nozzle.
If desired, a number of exchangeable storage containers which contain the fluid to be atomised may be pushed into the atomiser one after another and used in succession. The storage container contains the aqueous aerosol preparation according to the invention.
The atomising process is initiated by pressing gently on the actuating button.
As a result, the locking mechanism opens up the path for the power takeoff member.
The biased spring pushes the plunger into the cylinder of the pump housing. The fluid leaves the nozzle of the atomiser in atomised form.
Further details of construction are disclosed in PCT Applications WO 97112683 and WO 97120590, to~vhich reference is hereby made. -The components of the atomiser (nebuliser) are made of a material which is suitable for its purpose. The hausing of the atomiser and - if its operation permits, other parts as well are preferably made of plastics, e.g. by injection moulding. For medicinal purposes, physiologically safe materials are used.
Figures 2a/b attached to this patent application, which are identical to Figures 6alb of WO 97112687, show the nebuliser (Respimat~) which can advantageously be used for inhaling the aqueous aerosol preparations according to the invention.
Figure 2a shows a longitudinal section through the atomiser with the spring biased while Figure 2b shows a longitudinal section through the atomiser with the spring relaxed.
The upper housing part (51 ) contains the pump housing (52) on the end of which is mounted the holder (53) for the atomiser nozzle. In the holder is the nozzle body (54) and a filter {55). The hollow plunger (57) fixed in the power takeoff flange (56) of the locking mechanism projects partially into the cylinder of the pump housing. At its end the hollow plunger carries the valve body (58). The hollow plunger is sealed off by means of the seal (59). Inside the upper housing part is the stop (60) on which the power takeoff flange abuts when the spring is relaxed. On the power takeoff flange is the stop (61 ) on which the power takeoff flange abuts when the spring is biased. After the biasing of the spring the locking member (62) moves between the stop (61 ) and a support (63) in the upper housing part. The actuating button (64) is connected to the locking member. The upper housing part ends in the mouthpiece (65) and is sealed off by means of the protective cover (66) which can be placed thereon.
The spring housing (67) with compression spring (68) is rotatably mounted on the upper housing part by means of the snap-in lugs (69) and rotary bearing. The lower housing part (70) is pushed over the spring housing. Inside the spring housing is the exchangeable storage container (71 ) for the fluid (72) which is to be atomised. The storage container is sealed off by the stopper (73) through which the hollow plunger projects into the storage container and is immersed at its end in the fluid (supply of active substance solution).
The spindle (74) for the mechanical counter is mounted in the covering of the spring housing. At the end of the spindle facing the upper housing part is the drive pinion (75). The slider (76) sits on the spindle.
The nebuliser described above is suitable for nebulising the aerosol preparations according to the invention to produce an aerosol suitable for inhalation.
If the formulation according to the invention is nebulised using the method described above (Respimat~) the quantity delivered should correspond to a defined quantity with a tolerance of not more than 25%, preferably 20% of this amount in at least 97%, preferably at least 98% of all operations of the inhaler (spray actuations).
Preferably, between 5 and 30 mg of formulation, most preferably between 5 and 20 mg of formulation are delivered as a defined mass on each actuation.
However, the formulation according to the invention may also be nebulised by means of inhalers other than those described above, e.g. jet stream inhalers or other stationary nebulisers.

s ' Accordingly, in a further aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical formulations in the form of propellant-free inhalable solutions or suspensions as described above combined with a device suitable for administering these formulations, preferably in conjunction with the Respimat~. Preferably, the invention relates to propellant-free inhalable solutions or suspensions characterised by the combination of active substances 1 and 2 according to the invention in conjunction with the device known by the name Respimat~. In addition, the present invention relates to the above-mentioned devices for inhalation, preferably the Respimat0, characterised in that they contain the propellant-free inhalable solutions or suspensions according to the invention as described hereinbefore.
According to the invention, inhalable solutions which contain the active substances 1 and 2 in a single preparation are preferred. The term "single preparation"
also includes preparations which contain the two ingredients 1 and 2 in two-chamber cartridges, as disclosed for example in WO 00123037. Reference is hereby made to this publication in its entirety.
The propellant-free inhalable solutions or suspensions according to the invention may take the form of concentrates or sterile inhalable solutions or suspensions ready for use, as well as the above-mentioned solutions and suspensions designed for use in a Respimat~. Formulations ready for use may be produced from the concentrates, for example, by the addition of isotonic saline solutions.
Sterile formulations ready for use may be administered using energy-operated fixed or portable nebulisers which produce inhalable aerosols by means of ultrasound or compressed air by the Venturi principle or other principles.
Accordingly, in another aspect, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions in the form of propellant-free inhalable solutions or suspensions as described hereinbefore which take the form of concentrates or sterile formulations ready for use, combined with a device suitable for administering these solutions, characterised in that the device is an energy-operated free-standing or portable nebuliser which produces inhalable aerosols by means of ultrasound or compressed air by the Venturi principle or other methods.
The Examples which follow serve to illustrate the present invention in more detail without restricting the scope of the invention to the following embodiments by way of example.

s '~~

Examples of formulations A) Inhalable powders:
1) 2) 3) Ingredients Ng per capsule ipratropium bromide 200 formoterol fumarate dihydrate 12 lactose 24788 total 25000 Ingredients Ng per capsule ipratropium bromide 100 salmeterol xinafoate 50 lactose 12350 total 12500 Ingredients Ng per capsule ipratropium bromide 200 salmeterol xinafoate 50 lactose 12250 total 12500 B) Inhalable aerosols containing propellant gases:
1 ) Suspension aerosol:
Ingredients wt. /a ipratropium bromide 0,020 salmeterol x'/ H SO 0,066 soya lecithin 0.2 TG 11 : TG 12 = 2:3 ad 100 S

2) Suspension aerosol:
Ingredients wt.%

ipratropium bromide 0,039 salmeterol xinafoate 0,033 absolute ethanol 0.5 isopropyl myristate 0.1 TG 227 ad 100 3) Solution aerosol:
Ingredients wt.%

ipratropium bromide 0.117 salmeterol x'/ H SO 0,047 absolute ethanol 30 purified water 1.5 anhydrous citric acid 0,002 TG 134a ad 100 ..

C) Propellant free inhalable solutions:
1 ) Solution for use in the Respimat~:
Ingredients _. -_ mg1100mL

ipratropium bromide 1485 salmeterol x'/ H SO 276.7 benzalkonium chloride 10 sodium edetate 10 hydrochloric acid (aq) ad pH 2.9 water ad 1 OOm L

Using the solution in the Respimat leads to a dosage of about 100Ng per dose of 1 and 25Ng/dose of 2.
2) Solution for use in the Respimat~:
Ingredients mg1100mL

ipratropium bromide 2972.2 salmeterol x'h H SO 276.7 benzalkonium chloride 10 hydrochloric acid (aq) ad pH 2.9 water ad 100mL

Using the solution in the Respimat leads to a dosage of about 200pg per dose of 1 and 25pg/dose of 2.
3) Solution for use in the Respimat~:
Ingredients mg1100mL

ipratropium bromide 1486.1 salmeterol x'/2 H SO 553.4 benzalkonium chloride 10 hydrochloric acid (aq) ad pH 2.9 water ad 100mL

a, ~.

Using the solution in the Respimat leads to a dosage of about 100Ng per dose of 1 and 50Ngldose of 2.

4) Solution for use in the Respimat~:
Ingredients mg1100mL

ipratropium bromide 1486.1 salmeterol X 1~2 H SO 1106.3 benzalkonium chloride 8 sodium edetate 50 hydrochloric acid (aq) ad pH 2.5 water ad 100mL

Using the solution in the Respimat leads to a dosage of about 100Ng per dose of 1 and 100Ngldose of 2.

Claims

1) Long-acting pharmaceutical compositions containing betamimetics 2 characterised in that they also contain ipratropium salts 1 in order to reduce the side effects caused by the administration of the betamimetics.

2) Pharmaceutical compositions according to claim 1, characterised in that the active substances 1 and 2 are present either together in a single preparation or in two separate preparations.

3) Pharmaceutical compositions according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that 1 is present in the form of the chloride, bromide, iodide, methanesulphonate, para-toluenesulphonate or methylsulphate.

4) Pharmaceutical compositions according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the compounds 2 are present in the form of the salts of hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, methanesulphonic acid, acetic acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, 1-hydroxy-2-naphthalenecarboxylic acid or maleic acid.

5) Pharmaceutical compositions according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the betamimetics 2 are selected from the salts of salmeterol and formoterol.

6) Pharmaceutical compositions according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the compounds 2 are salmeterol hydrochloride, a salmeterol sulphate, preferably salmeterol x 1/2 H2SO4, or salmeterol xinafoate.

7) Pharmaceutical compositions according to claim 6, characterised in that the weight ratios of ipratropium 1' to salmeterol 2' are in a range from about 1:30 to 400:1, preferably 1:25 to 200:1.

8) Pharmaceutical compositions according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the compounds 2 are formoterol hydrochloride, formoterol sulphate or formoterol fumarate.

9) Pharmaceutical compositions according to claim 8, characterised in that the weight ratios of ipratropium 1' to formoterol 2' are in the range from about 1:5 to 300:1, preferably 1:4 to 200:1.

10) Pharmaceutical compositions according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that a single administration corresponds to a dosage of the active substance combination 1' and 2' of 5 to 5000µg, preferably 10 to 2000pg.

11) Pharmaceutical composition according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that it is in the form of a preparation suitable for inhalation.

12) Pharmaceutical composition according to claim 11, characterised in that it is a preparation selected from the inhalable powders, propellant-containing metering aerosols and propellant-free inhalable solutions.

13) Pharmaceutical composition according to claim 12, characterised in that it is an inhalable powder which contains 1 and 2 in admixture with suitable physiologically acceptable excipients selected from among monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligo- and polysaccharides, polyalcohols, salts, or mixtures of these excipients with one another.

14) Inhalable powder according to claim 13, characterised in that the excipient has a maximum average particle size of up to 250µm, preferably between and 150µm.

15) Capsules, characterised in that they contain an inhalable powder according to claim 13 or 14.

16) Pharmaceutical compositions according to claim 12, characterised in that it is an inhalable powder which contains the active substances 1 and 2 as its sole ingredients.

17) Pharmaceutical compositions according to claim 12, characterised in that it is a propellant-containing inhalable aerosol which contains 1 and 2 in dissolved or dispersed form.

18) Propellant-containing inhalable aerosol according to claim 17, characterised in that it contains as propellant gas hydrocarbons such as n-propane, n-butane or isobutane or halohydrocarbons such as chlorinated and/or fluorinated derivatives of methane, ethane, propane, butane, cyclopropane or cyclobutane.

19) Propellant-containing inhalable aerosol according to claim 18, characterised in that the propellant gas is TG11, TG12, TG134a, TG227 or mixtures thereof, preferably TG134a, TG227 or a mixture thereof.

20) Propellant-containing inhalable aerosol according to claim 17, 18 or 19, characterised in that it optionally contains one or more other ingredients selected from among cosolvents, stabilisers, surface-active agents (surfactants), antioxidants, lubricants and agents for adjusting the pH.

21) Propellant-containing inhalable aerosol according to one of claims 17 to 20, characterised in that it may contain up to 5 wt.% of active substance 1' and/or 2'.

22) Pharmaceutical composition according to claim 12, characterised in that it is a propellant free inhalable solution which contains water, ethanol or a mixture of water and ethanol as solvent.

23) Inhalable solution according to claim 22, characterised in that the pH of the solution is 2 - 7, preferably 2 - 5.

24) Inhalable solution according to claim 23, characterised in that the pH is adjusted using an acid selected from among hydrochloric acid,, hydrobromic acid, nitric acid, sulphuric acid, ascorbic acid, citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, acetic acid, formic acid and propionic acid or mixtures thereof.

25) Inhalable solution according to one of claims 22 to 24, characterised in that it optionally contains other co-solvents and/or excipients.

26) Inhalable solution according to claim 25, characterised in that it contains as cosolvents ingredients which contain hydroxyl groups or other polar groups, for example alcohols - particularly isopropylalcohol, glycols - particularly propyleneglycol, polyethyleneglycol, polypropyleneglycol, glycolether, glycerol, polyoxyethylene alcohols and polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters.

27) Inhalable solution according to one of claims 25 or 26, characterised in that it contains as excipients surfactants, stabilisers, complexing agents, antioxidants and/or preservatives, flavourings, pharmacologically acceptable salts and/or vitamins.

28) Inhalable solutions according to claim 27, characterised in that they contain as complexing agent edetic acid or a salt of edetic acid, preferably sodium edetate.

29) Inhalable solutions according to claim 27 or 28, characterised in that they contain as antioxidants, compounds selected from among ascorbic acid, vitamin A, vitamin E and tocopherols.

30) Inhalable solutions according to claim 27, 28 or 29, characterised in that they contain as preservatives compounds selected from cetyl pyridinium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, benzoic acid and benzoates.

31) Inhalable solutions according to one of claims 25 to 30, characterised in that they contain only benzalkonium chloride and sodium edetate in addition to the active substances 1 and 2 and the solvent.

32) Inhalable solutions according to one of claims 25 to 30, characterised in that they contain only benzalkonium chloride in addition to the active substances 1 and 2 and the solvent.

33) Inhalable solutions according to one of claims 22 to 32, characterised in that they are concentrates or sterile inhalable solutions ready for use.

34) Use of an inhalable solution according to one of claims 22 to 32 for nebulising in an inhaler according to WO 91/14468 or an inhaler as described in Figures 6a and 6b of WO 97/12687.

35) Use of an inhalable solution according to claim 33 for nebulising in an energy-operated free-standing or portable nebuliser which produces inhalable aerosols by means of ultrasound or compressed air according to the Venturi principle or other principles.

36) Use of a capsule according to claim 15 in an inhaler, preferably in a Handihaler.

37) Use of a composition according to one of claims 1 to 33 for preparing a drug for treating inflammatory or obstructive diseases of the respiratory tract, particularly asthma or COPD, while simultaneously reducing the stimulant effects on the heart caused by the betamimetics 2, particularly tachycardia, palpitations, angina pectoris-like pain and arrhythmia.