Sugar base surfactant for nanocrystals

Claim 2

Particles consisting essentially of a crystalline drug substance having a surface modifier having the structure: ##STR7## wherein R is Ph(CH 2 ) 10 CO or C 12 H 25 NHCO adsorbed on the surface thereof in an amount sufficient to maintain an effective average particle size of less than about 400 nm.

Claim 3

The particles of claim 1 having an effective average particle size of less than 250 nm.

Claim 4

The particles of claim 1 having an effective average particle size of less than 100 nm.

Claim 5

The particles of claim 1 wherein said drug substance is selected from analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents, anthelmintics, anti-arrhythmic agents, antibiotics, anticoagulants, antidepressants, antidiabetic agents, antiepileptics, antihistamines, antihypertensive agents, antimuscarinic agents, antimycobacterial agents, antineoplastic agents, immunosuppressants, antithyroid agents, antiviral agents, anxiolytic sedatives, astringents, beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents, contrast media, corticosteroids, cough suppressants, diagnostic agents, diagnostic imaging agents, diuretics, dopaminergics, haemostatics, immuriological agents, lipid regulating agents, muscle relaxants, parasympathomimetics, parathyroid calcitonin, prostaglandins, radio-pharmaceuticals, sex hormones, anti-allergic agents, stimulants, sympathomimetics, thyroid agents, vasodilators and xanthines.

Claim 6

The particles of claim 1 wherein the drug substance is a diagnostic agent.

Claim 7

The particles of claim 5 wherein the drug substance is ##STR8##

Claim 8

The particles of claim 5 wherein the drug substance is ##STR9##

Claim 9

The particles of claim 1 wherein the surface modifier is ##STR10##

Claim 10

The particles of claim 1 wherein the surface modifier is ##STR11##

Claim 11

Particles consisting essentially of a discrete phase of 5,17,-1'-(methylsulfonyl)-1'H-pregn-20-yno-[3,2-c]-pyrazol-17-ol having an ethylene oxide propylene-oxide block copolymer adsorbed on the surface thereof in an amount sufficient to maintain an effective average particle size of less than about 400 nm.

Claim 12

Particles consisting essentially of a discrete phase of 5,17,-1'-(methylsulfonyl)-1'H-pregn-20-yno-[3,2-c]-pyrazol-17-ol having an ethylene oxide propylene-oxide block copolymer adsorbed on the surface thereof in an amount sufficient to maintain an effective average particle size of less than about 400 nm.

Claim 13

A stable dispersion consisting essentially of a liquid dispersion medium and the particles of claim 1.

Claim 14

The dispersion of claim 10 wherein said dispersion medium is water.

Claim 15

The dispersion of claim 10 wherein said dispersion medium is selected from the group consisting of safflower oil, ethanol, t-butanol, hexane and glycol.

Claim 16

A pharmaceutical composition comprising the particles of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

Claim 17

A method of treating a mammal comprising the step of administering to the mammal an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of claim 13.

Claim 18

Particles of claim 1 in a stable dispersion containing with a liquid dispersion medium.

Claim 19

Particles of claims 1 in a stable aqueous dispersion.

Claim 20

Particles of claim 1 in a stable dispersion containing with a liquid dispersion medium, wherein the medium is safflower oil, ethanol, t-butanol, hexane or glycol.

Claim 21

Particles of claim 1 in a pharmaceutical composition containing a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier for the particles.

Claim 22

Particles of claim 1 used in a method of treating a mammal wherein the particles are administered to the mammal.