Sustained release compositions for treating periodontal disease

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The essential as well as optional components of the compositions of this invention are described below.
Monoolein The gelling agent useful with the present invention is a monooleate ester of glycerol (monoolein).
Monoolein is an item of commerce and is available from C.
P.
Hall and Co.
as CPH-362-N.
This agent can easily be formulated with the drug active and be easily positioned into and around the periodontal pocket.
Monoolein comprises the bulk of the compositions of the present invention.
The amount employed is generally in the range of from about 1% to about 99%, preferably from about 10% to about 90%, most preferably from about 20% to about 80%.
Drug Active The drugs useful for use in the present compositions are varied and many and include any agent which provides treatment of diseases of the oral cavity.
Some therapeutic agents which are amenable to delivery by this means and are potentially of value for periodontal therapy, include (but are not limited to) antimicrobial agents/antibacterial agents such as iodine, sulfonamides, mercurials, bisbiguanides, or phenolics; antibiotics such as tetracycline, neomycin, kanamycin, metronidazole, or clindamycin; antiinflammatory agents such as aspirin, naproxen, ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, indomethacin, eugenol, or hydrocortisone; immune-suppressive or stimulatory agents such as methotrexate or levamasole; dentinal desensitizing agents such as strontium chloride or sodium fluoride; odor masking agents such as peppermint oil or chlorphyll; immune reagents such as immunoglobulin or antigens; local anesthetic agents such as lidocaine or benzocaine; nutritional agents such as amino acids, essential fats, and vitamin C; antioxidants such as alphatocopherol and butylated hydroxy toluene; lipopolysaccharide complexing agents such as polymyxin; or peroxides such as urea peroxide.
It is recognized that in certain forms of therapy, combinations of these agents in the same delivery system may be useful in order to obtain an optimal effect