NZ617442B2 - Intranasal pharmaceutical dosage forms comprising naloxone - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided are intranasal pharmaceutical dosage forms comprising a dosing unit comprising naloxone in an amount equivalent to ? 0.5 mg naloxone hydrochloride, preferably equivalent to between about 0.65mg and about 0.8mg or between about 1.3mg and 1.6 mg dissolved in an application fluid of a volume of ? 250 µl. f ? 250 µl.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention s to an intranasal pharmaceutical dosage form comprising a dosing unit comprising naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in an amount of equivalent to 2 0.5 mg naloxone HCl, preferably an amount of equivalent to between about 0.65 mg naloxone HCl and about 0.8 mg naloxone HCl or between about 1.3 mg ne HCl and about 1.6 mg naloxone HCl, dissolved in an application fluid of a volume of S 250 pl. Preferably, the dosage form is for use in the ent of opioid overdosing and/or at least one symptom thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The abuse of s, in particular the intravenous injection of opioids such as heroin by drug addicts is quite often associated with overdosing of the drug which can be due to a loss of opioid tolerance (e.g. when s are imprisoned or following substitution/ detoxification therapy), wrong tion of the amount of the drug consumed, a more concentrated form of the drug, or the abuser’s desire to produce a "high" despite the drug tolerance developed over time. It has been estimated that the rate for overdosing in addicts is between 19% and 30% (Darke S et al. "The ratio of non-fatal to fatal heroin overdose; Addiction, 2003 Aug; 98(8): 1169-71).

Such overdosing incidents can lead to the death of the addict (so called "fatal overdosing"). The annual mortality rate of addicts due to heroin overdosing has been reported to be 0.8% (Hall et al.;"How many ent heroin users are there in Australia?" Med J Aust. 2000 Nov, 20; 173(10):528-3l 2000). The ratio of non-fatal to fatal overdosing has been estimated to be between 23.8 to l and 37.5 to l (Darke et al, see above). Thus, tal overdosing represents a considerable number of events among drug addicts, especially in drug addicts who abuse the drug parenterally, i.e. by ion, requiring an adequate t treatment by emergency health care nel.

Naloxone, an opioid nist, is known to counteract the actions of opioids and is used in opioid overdosing emergency cases and in rapid opiate detoxification.

Since the onset of action of naloxone used in such cases should be as fast as possible, naloxone is thus far mainly administered intravenously or intramuscularly by emergency health care personnel to the subject with an overdosing.

Due to a high first pass metabolism, oral dosage forms comprising naloxone display a low bioavailability and thus seem to be not le for such es.

The administration of naloxone via injection into the blood stream or into the muscle requires first of all trained medical personnel (for intravenous injection) or a trained carer (for intramuscular injection). Secondly, depending on the constitution of the addict and the period of intravenous drug abuse, it can be particularly difficult to find access into a vein of the addict’s body for administering naloxone intravenously.

Clearly, there is a risk of exposure to blood borne pathogens for the medical personnel or the trained carer since a large population of drug addicts suffers from blood borne pathogen induced diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, and the like since accidental needlestick is a serious safety concern. 385,000 needle-stick injuries have been estimated to occur in the year 2000 in the US only (Wilburn, "Needlestick and sharps injury prevention, Online J Issues Nurs 2004, Sep 30; 9(3):5).

Furthermore, due to the relatively short elimination half life of naloxone administered enously, there is the need to re-administer ne, in some cases even several times, via this route.

There have been studies on the intranasal administration of naloxone in order to treat addicts with sing. However, their outcome is rather controversial. Thus, Loimer et al. reported that the nasal administration of naloxone is as ive as the intravenous route in opiate addicts (see Loimer N. et al, "Nasal administration of naloxone is as effective as the intravenous route in opiate addicts"; the International Journal of Addictions, 29(6), 819-827, 1994). Dowling et al., on the other hand, reported that naloxone stered intranasally displays a relative bioavailability of 4% only and concluded that the intranasal absorption is rapid but does not maintain measurable concentrations for more than an hour (Dowling et al., "Population pharmacokinetics of intravenous, intramuscular, and intranasal naloxone in human volunteers", Ther Drug Monit, Vol 30, No 4, August 2008).

Thus, there is a general need for a naloxone dosage form which can easily be administered to drug addicts suffering from overdosing by medically untrained ts, e. g. by family members or other carers.

Furthermore, even if administered by health care personnel, such dosage form should i) minimize the danger of being eXposed to blood borne pathogens and ii) reduce stration time as there is no need for indentifying injectable veins or undressing the subject for intramuscular ion. Also, such dosage forms should display a fast onset of action and ideally maintain a counteracting effect over a period of several hours.

SUMMARY OF THE ION The present invention as sed herein relates to a ceutical dosage form comprising naloxone which exhibits a considerably high bioavailability of naloxone combined with a fast onset of action and a relatively long period of action.

The t invention as disclosed herein also relates to a dosage form for use in the treatment of opioid overdosing and/or at least one symptom thereof.

The present invention as disclosed herein also relates to the use of ne or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in a specific amount dissolved in a specific volume for a dosing unit of such a dosage form.

Thus, in a first aspect the present invention relates to an intranasal pharmaceutical dosage form comprising a dosing unit comprising naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in an amount of equivalent to between 0.65 mg naloxone HCl and 0.8 mg naloxone HCl or between 1.3 mg naloxone HCl and 1.6 mg naloxone HCl dissolved in an application fluid of a volume of ≤ 250 µl.

In a second aspect the present invention relates to the use of naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the manufacture of an intranasal pharmaceutical dosage form for the treatment of opioid overdosing and/or at least one symptom thereof, wherein naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is dissolved in an application fluid and wherein the treatment comprises intranasal stration of an amount of equivalent to between 1.3 mg naloxone HCl and 1.6 mg naloxone HCl, wherein said amount is ed by administration to one l or wherein said amount is provided by administration to two nostrils, and wherein the volume of the ation fluid per nostril is ≤ 250 µl. - 4a - Also disclosed herein is an intranasal pharmaceutical dosage form comprising a dosing unit comprising naloxone or a ceutically acceptable salt f in an amount of equivalent to ≥ 0.5 mg naloxone HCl dissolved in an application fluid of a volume of ≤ 250 µl.

In a preferred embodiment, the amount of naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is equivalent to ≥ 0.6 mg.

In r preferred embodiment, the amount of naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is equivalent to between about 0.65 mg naloxone HCl and about 0.8 mg naloxone HCl or between about 1.3 mg naloxone HCl and about 1.6 mg naloxone HCl.

In a ularly preferred ment, the present invention relates to an intranasal pharmaceutical dosage form comprising naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof dissolved in an application fluid, wherein an amount of equivalent to between about 1.3 mg naloxone HCl and about 1.6 mg naloxone HCl is administered intranasally, wherein said amount is provided by administration to one nostril or wherein said amount is provided by administration to two nostrils, and n the volume of the application fluid per nostril is S 250 pl.

In a further preferred embodiment, the volume of the application fluid is S 200 pl.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the amount of naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is within a range of equivalent to 0.6 mg naloxone HCl to 12 mg naloxone HCl, preferably equivalent to 0.6 mg naloxone HCl to 6 mg ne HCl, more preferably equivalent to 0.6 mg naloxone HCl to 3.75 mg naloxone HCl, and most preferably equivalent to 0.6 mg naloxone HCl to 2.0 mg naloxone HCl. Said range can also be within a range of equivalent to 0.5 mg naloxone HCl to 20 mg naloxone HCl, or within a range of equivalent to 0.5 mg naloxone HCl to 15 mg naloxone HCl, or within a range of lent to 0.5 mg naloxone HCl to 10 mg naloxone HCl. Most preferred is a range of equivalent to between about 0.65 mg ne HCl and about 0.8 mg naloxone HCl or between about 1.3 mg naloxone HCl and about 1.6 mg naloxone HCl.

In another preferred embodiment, an amount of naloxone or a pharmaceutically able salt thereof equivalent to about 1.3 mg ne HCl or about 1.4 mg naloxone HCl or about 1.5 mg naloxone HCl or about 1.6 mg naloxone HCl is administered asally, wherein said amount is provided by administration to one l or wherein said amount is provided by administration to two nostrils, and wherein the volume of the application fluid per nostril is S 250 pl.

In still another preferred embodiment, the volume of the application fluid is within a range of 200 pl to 35 pl, preferably of 200 pl to 50 pl, more preferably of 200 pl to 100 pl, and most preferably of 150 pl to 100 pl. Said range may also be a range of 250 pl to 35 pl, or 250 pl to 75 pl, or 200 pl to 75 pl. Particularly preferred is a volume of 200 pl, or 150 pl, or 100 pl, or 50 pl. For some cases, a volume of 75 pl may also be used.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the amount of naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt f is equivalent to 0.6 mg naloxone HCl, or 0.7 mg ne HCl, or 0.8 mg naloxone HCl, or 1.2 mg naloxone HCl, or 1.4 mg ne HCl, or 1.6 mg naloxone HCl, and the volume of the application fluid is within a range of 200 pl to 50 pl, preferably of 200 pl to 100 pl, and more ably of 150 pl to 100 pl. It can also be preferred that the amount of naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is equivalent to 0.9 mg naloxone HCl, or 1.0 mg ne HCl, or 1.1 mg naloxone HCl, or 1.8 mg naloxone HCl, or 2.0 mg naloxone HCl, or 2.2 mg naloxone HCl wherein the volume ranges above are applicable.

In still another preferred ment, the final concentration of the naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in the application fluid is within a range of equivalent to 3 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid to 100 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid, preferably within a range of equivalent to 3 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid to 70 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid, and more preferably within a range of equivalent to 3 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid to 24 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid.

Preferably, the dosing unit of the intranasal dosage form as claimed herein is stered to a single nostril. Thus, preferably, the above mentioned amount of naloxone or a pharmaceutically able salt thereof is provided by administration to one nostril.

Due to the presence of two nostrils, one application step as defined below may be comprised of the consecutive administration of two dosing units, each to one of the two nostrils. The following preferred embodiments relate to such an application step, i.e. the consecutive administration to the two nostrils. Most preferably, such an ation step via the consecutive administration to two nostrils results in the intranasal administration of a naloxone amount of lent to between about 1.3 mg naloxone HCl and about 1.6 mg naloxone HCl.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the amount of naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is within a range of equivalent to 0.6 mg naloxone HCl to 6 mg naloxone HCl, preferably equivalent to 0.6 mg naloxone HCl to 3 mg naloxone HCl, more preferably equivalent to 0.6 mg ne HCl to 1.8 mg naloxone HCl, and most ably equivalent to 0.6 mg naloxone HCl to 1.0 mg naloxone HCl. Said range can also be within a range of equivalent to 0.5 mg naloxone HCl to 10 mg naloxone HCl, or within a range of equivalent to 0.5 mg naloxone HCl to 7.5 mg naloxone HCl, or within a range of equivalent to 0.5 mg naloxone HCl to 5 mg naloxone HCl.

In still another preferred embodiment, the volume of the application fluid is within a range of 200 pl to 35 ul, preferably of 200 pl to 50 ul, more preferably of 200 pl to 100 pl, and most preferably of 150 pl to 100 pl. Said range may also be a range of 250 pl to 35 ul, or 250 pl to 75 ul, or 200 pl to 75 ul. Particularly preferred is a volume of 200 pl, or 150 pl, or 100 pl. For some cases, a volume of 75 ul may also be used.

In yet r preferred embodiment, the amount of naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is equivalent to 0.6 mg ne HCl or 0.7 mg naloxone HCl or 0.8 mg ne HCl, and the volume of the application fluid is within a range of 200 pl to 50 ul, preferably of 200 pl to 100 pl, and more preferably of 150 pl to 100 pl. It can also be red that the amount of naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is lent to 0.9 mg naloxone HCl, or 1.0 mg naloxone HCl, or 1.1 mg naloxone HCl, wherein the volume ranges above are applicable.

In still another preferred embodiment, the final concentration of the naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in the application fluid is within a range of equivalent to 3 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid to 100 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid, preferably within a range of lent to 3 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid to 70 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid, and more preferably within a range of equivalent to 3 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid to 12 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid.

Due to the presence of two nostrils, one application step as defined below may also be comprised of a single administration to one of the two ls only. The following preferred embodiments relate to such an application step, i.e. the single stration to one l only. Most preferably, such an application step to one nostril only results in the intranasal administration of a naloxone amount of equivalent to between about 1.3 mg naloxone HCl and about 1.6 mg naloxone HCl.

In a ularly preferred embodiment, the amount of naloxone or a 2O ceutically acceptable salt thereof is within a range of equivalent to 1.2 mg naloxone HCl to 12 mg naloxone HCl, preferably equivalent to 1.2 mg naloxone HCl to 6 mg naloxone HCl, more preferably lent to 1.2 mg naloxone HCl to 3.75 mg naloxone HCl, and most preferably equivalent to 1.2 mg naloxone HCl to 2.0 mg naloxone HCl. Said range can also be within a range of equivalent to 1.0 mg naloxone HCl to 20 mg naloxone HCl, or within a range of equivalent to 1.0 mg naloxone HCl to 15 mg naloxone HCl, or within a range of equivalent to 1.0 mg naloxone HCl to 10 mg naloxone HCl.

In still another preferred embodiment, the volume of the application fluid is within a 3O range of 200 pl to 35 ul, preferably of 200 pl to 50 ul, more preferably of 200 pl to 100 pl, and most preferably of 150 pl to 100 pl. Said range may also be a range of 250 pl to 35 pl, or 250 pl to 75 pl, or 200 pl to 75 pl. Particularly preferred is a volume of 200 pl, or 150 pl, or 100 pl. For some cases, a volume of 75 pl may also be used.

In yet another preferred ment, the amount of naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is equivalent to 1.2 mg naloxone HCl or 1.4 mg naloxone HCl or 1.6 mg naloxone HCl, and the volume of the application fluid is within a range of 200 pl to 50 pl, preferably of 200 pl to 100 pl, and more preferably of 150 pl to 100 pl. It can also be preferred that the amount of naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is equivalent to 1.8 mg naloxone HCl, or 2.0 mg naloxone HCl, or 2.2 mg naloxone HCl, wherein the volume ranges above are applicable.

In still another preferred ment, the final concentration of the naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in the application fluid is within a range of lent to 6 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid to 100 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid, preferably within a range of equivalent to 6 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid to 70 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid, and more preferably within a range of equivalent to 6 mg naloxone HCl per ml ation fluid to 24 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid.

In yet another preferred embodiment relating to all embodiments above, the application fluid is ed from the group comprising water, an aqueous solution optionally comprising a pharmaceutical solvent, an s solution sing a pharmaceutical solvent and co-solvent and an aqueous saline solution. Preferably, the aqueous saline solution is a NaCl solution, more preferably NaCl in purified water at a tration of about 1.0% weight/volume, most preferably NaCl in purified water at concentration of about 0.9% weight/volume. Preferably, the ue of the application fluid corresponds to a pH S about 6.0, preferably to a pH S about 5.8, more preferably to a pH 3 about 5.6 and most preferably to a pH 3 about 5.5.

In another preferred embodiment, the dosage form comprises at least two dosage units, preferably at least three dosage units, more preferably at least four dosage units and most ably at least five dosage units. The dosage form may also comprise only one dosage unit, or exactly two, three, four, or five dosage units.

Generally, the dosage form may comprise the above mentioned amount or half of said amount dissolved in an application fluid in a dosing unit, the amount being dependent on whether said total amount is provided by administration to one nostril or by stration to two nostrils. Thus, if said amount is administered to one nostril, the dosage form preferably comprises said total amount dissolved in an application fluid in a dosing unit. If said amount is administered to two nostrils, the dosage form preferably comprises half of said total amount dissolved in an application fluid in a dosing unit.

Preferably, said dosing unit comprises naloxone or a pharrnaceutically acceptable salt thereof in an amount of equivalent to between about 0.65 mg ne HCl and about 0.8 mg naloxone HCl if a single application step comprises the administration to two nostrils. About 0.65 mg, about 0.70 mg, about 0.75 mg or about 0.80 mg may be particularly red.

Preferably, said dosing unit comprises naloxone or a pharrnaceutically acceptable salt thereof in an amount of equivalent to between about 1.3 mg naloxone HCl and about 1.6 mg naloxone HCl if a single ation step ses the administration to one l. About 1.30 mg, about 1.35 mg, about 1.40 mg, about 1.45 mg, about 1.50 mg, about 1.55 mg or about 1.60 mg may be particularly preferred.

A dosage form may comprise a single dosing unit only and may thus be for single use if said amount is administered to one nostril. If said amount is administered to two nostrils, the dosage form may comprise two dosing units and may still be for single use. However, said dosage form may also comprise at least two dosing units, preferably at least three dosing units, more preferably at least four dosing units and most preferably at least five dosing units and may thus be for multiple uses.

In still r red embodiment, the dosage form is selected from the group of dosage forms comprising a nasal spray (which may also be referred to as spraying device), a nasal mucoadhesive dosage form and a Mucosal Atomizer Device. A nasal spray may be particularly preferred for the present invention. Said nasal spray may particularly be a syringe-driven spraying device or a pump-driven spraying device.

Preferably, the dosage form comprises naloxone as the only pharmaceutically active agent. Thus, no further pharmaceutically active agent(s) such as e. g. epinephrine may be comprised in the dosage form.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the dosage form provides for a high bioavailability of the active agent naloxone in , preferably for a bioavailability of about 20% to about 40%, more preferably of about 25% to about %, as determined against a reference of intravenously administration naloxone with a bioavailability set to 100%. 2O In still another preferred embodiment, the dosage form provides for a fast onset of action of the active agent naloxone in humans, i.e. a low tmaX, preferably a fast onset of action within about 5 minutes to about 18 minutes upon administration, preferably within about 5 s to about 12 minutes upon administration, more preferably within about 5 minutes to about 10 minutes upon administration and most preferably within about 6 minutes upon administration.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the dosage form provides for a long plasma ive of the active agent naloxone in , i.e. a slow elimination pattern, preferably a plasma half-live of about 1.5 hours to about 9 hours upon 3O administration, more ably a plasma half-live of about 2.5 hours to about 9 hours upon administration and most preferably a plasma half-live of about 4 hours to about 9 hours upon administration. The plasma ive of the active agent naloxone in humans can also be about 1 hour, about 1.5 hours, about 2 hours, about 3 hours, about 4 hours, about 5 hours, about 6 hours, about 7 hours, about 8 hours or about 9 hours upon administration of the dosage form according to the present invention.

In another aspect, the present ion is concerned with the treatment of opioid overdosing and/or at least one symptom thereof.

Thus, in said aspect, the above mentioned dosage form including all preferred embodiments mentioned above is for use in the treatment of opioid overdosing and/or at least one m thereof.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to an asal pharmaceutical dosage form comprising naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof dissolved in an application fluid for use in the treatment of opioid overdosing and/or at least one symptom f, wherein an amount of equivalent to between about 1.3 mg naloxone HCl and about 1.6 mg naloxone HCl is administered intranasally, wherein said amount is provided by administration to one nostril or wherein said amount is ed by stration to two nostrils, and wherein the volume of the application fluid per nostril is ≤ about 250 µl, preferably ≤ about 200 µl.

The present invention therefore also relates to a method of treating opioid overdosing and/or at least one symptom f, wherein ne or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administered intranasally in an amount of equivalent to ≥ 0.5 mg naloxone HCl in an application of a volume of ≤ 250 µl.

The opioid overdosing may be due to the misuse of heroin, buprenorphine, methadone, fentanyl, oxycodone, morphine and hydromorphone. Thus, the opioid overdosing may be caused by the illicit use of opioids. However, the opioid overdosing may also be caused by an accidental misuse of s during opioid therapy.

In a preferred embodiment, the opioid overdosing symptom is selected from the group comprising respiratory depression, optionally postoperative opioid atory depression, altered level consciousness, miotic pupils, hypoxemia, acute lung injury and aspiration pneumonia.

In a further red embodiment, the dosage form is re-applied during an initial titration period in order to provide for an effective amount of naloxone. The above mentioned amount may thus be inistered during an initial titration period in order to e for an ive amount of naloxone when used for ng an opioid overdosing and/or at least one symptom thereof. Preferably, said initial titration period is a period of about 15 to about 30 minutes starting with the first application step. It can be preferred to re-apply the dosage form according to the present invention two times, three times, four times, five times or even siX times in order to provide for an amount of naloxone effective in treating opioid overdosing and/or at least one symptom thereof.

In another preferred embodiment, the dosage form according to the present invention is combined with an intramuscular and/or intravenous dosage form sing naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. It can be preferred that said intramuscular and/or intravenous dosage form comprises naloxone or a ceutically acceptable salt thereof in amounts ranging from about 0.4 mg to about 2 mg.

The present invention is also concerned in one aspect with the use of naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in an amount of equivalent to 2 1.0 mg ne HCl, preferably of between about 0.65 mg naloxone HCl and about 0.8 mg naloxone HCl or between about 1.3 mg naloxone HCl and about 1.6 mg naloxone HCl, dissolved in an application fluid of a volume of S 250 pl in a dosing unit of an intranasal pharmaceutical dosage form.

In preferred embodiments, all the s of naloxone and volumes of the application fluid as mentioned above can be used in a dosing unit of an intranasal pharmaceutical dosage form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 depicts the phases of the study described in Example 1, with: SD: study drug according to random ce code P1-P4: Periods 1-4 each identical with a single dose of study drug according to random sequence code, followed by a 314 day washout (Periods 1, 2 and 3 only).

Figure 2 shows the pharrnacokinetic parameters of the study described in Example 1.

Figure 3 shows the ted curves (based on the data of Example 1: 8 mg 2O naloxone HCl applied intranasally) using Excel for 0.4 mg naloxone applied intravenously (IV), 1.2 mg naloxone applied intranasally (IN) and 1.6 mg naloxone applied IN for a period of 36 hours.

Figure 4 shows the estimated curves (based on the data of Example 1: 8 mg naloxone HCl d intranasally) using Excel for 0.4 mg naloxone applied intravenously (IV), 1.2 mg ne applied intranasally (IN) and 1.6 mg naloxone applied IN for a period of 4 hours.

Figure 5 shows the estimated curves (based on the data of Example 1: 16 mg 3O naloxone HCl applied intranasally) using Excel for 0.4 mg naloxone applied intravenously (IV), 1.2 mg naloxone applied intranasally (IN) and 1.6 mg ne applied IN for a period of 36 hours.

Figure 6 shows the estimated curves (based on the data of Example 1: 16 mg naloxone HCl applied intranasally) using Excel for 0.4 mg naloxone applied intravenously (IV), 1.2 mg naloxone applied intranasally (IN) and 1.6 mg naloxone d IN for a period of 4 hours.

Figure 7 shows the estimated curves (based on the data of e 1: 8 mg naloxone HCl applied intranasally) using either Excel or WinNonlin for 0.4 mg naloxone applied intravenously (IV, Excel only), 1.2 mg naloxone applied intranasally (IN) and 1.6 mg ne applied IN for a period of 4 hours.

Figure 8 shows the estimated curves (based on the data of Example 1: 16 mg naloxone HCl applied intranasally) using either Excel or WinNonlin for 0.4 mg naloxone applied intravenously (IV, Excel only), 1.2 mg naloxone applied intranasally (IN) and 1.6 mg naloxone applied IN for a period of 4 hours.

Figure 9 shows the ted curves (based on the data of Example 1: 8 mg naloxone HCl applied intranasally) using Excel for 0.4 mg naloxone applied intravenously (IV) [wherein, compared to Figure 3, one outlying subject was excluded], 1.2 mg naloxone applied intranasally (IN) and 1.6 mg naloxone applied IN for a period of 36 hours.

Figure 10 shows the estimated curves (based on the data of Example 1: 8 mg naloxone HCl applied intranasally) using Excel for 0.4 mg naloxone applied intravenously (IV) [wherein, compared to Figure 4, one outlying t was excluded], 1.2 mg naloxone applied intranasally (IN) and 1.6 mg ne applied IN for a period of 4 hours.

Figure 11 shows the estimated curves (based on the data of Example 1: 16 mg naloxone HCl applied intranasally) using Excel for 0.4 mg ne applied intravenously (IV) [wherein, compared to Figure 5, one outlying subject was excluded], 1.2 mg naloxone applied intranasally (IN) and 1.6 mg naloxone d IN for a period of 36 hours.

Figure 12 shows the estimated curves (based on the data of Example 1: 16 mg naloxone HCl applied intranasally) using Excel for 0.4 mg naloxone applied enously (IV) [wherein, compared to Figure 6, one outlying subject was excluded], 1.2 mg naloxone applied asally (IN) and 1.6 mg naloxone applied IN for a period of 4 hours.

Figure 13 shows the estimated curves (based on the data of Example 1: 8 mg naloxone HCl applied intranasally) using WinNonlin for 1.2 mg naloxone applied intranasally (IN) and 1.6 mg naloxone applied IN as well as for 0.4 mg naloxone applied enously (IV, using Excel [wherein, compared to Figure 7, one ng subject was excluded]) for a period of 4 hours.

Figure 14 shows the estimated curves (based on the data of Example 1: 16 mg naloxone HCl applied intranasally) using WinNonlin for 1.2 mg naloxone applied intranasally (IN) and 1.6 mg naloxone applied IN as well as for 0.4 mg naloxone applied intravenously (IV, using Excel [wherein, compared to Figure 8, one ng subject was excluded]) for a period of 4 hours.

Figure 15 shows the estimated curves (based on the data of Example 1: 8 mg naloxone HCl applied intranasally) using either Excel or WinNonlin for 1.2 mg naloxone applied intranasally (IN) and 1.6 mg naloxone applied IN for a period of 4 hours as well as for 0.4 mg naloxone applied intravenously (IV, using Excel [wherein, ed to Figure 7, one outlying subject was excluded]).

Figure 16 shows the estimated curves (based on the data of Example 1: 16 mg naloxone HCl applied intranasally) using either Excel or WinNonlin for 1.2 mg naloxone applied intranasally (IN) and 1.6 mg naloxone applied IN for a period of 4 hours as well as for 0.4 mg naloxone applied intravenously (IV, using Excel [wherein, compared to Figure 8, one outlying subject was excluded]).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention partially resides in the sing finding that an intranasal pharmaceutical dosage form comprising naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof dissolved in an application fluid of a volume of S 250 pl ys a significant bioavailability, fast onset of action and a relatively slow ation pattern.

For use in opioid overdosing, such an intranasal dosage form may thus e in a dosing unit an amount of naloxone effective to counteract the actions of the opioid, wherein the dosage form is an o-use and safe dosage form with the pharmacokinetic parameters set out above, namely a significant bioavailability, fast onset of action and a relatively slow elimination pattern.

Before some of the embodiments of the present invention are bed in more detail, the following definitions are introduced.

As used in the specification and the claims, the singular forms of "a" and "an" also include the corresponding plurals unless the context clearly es otherwise.

The terms "about" and "approximately" in the context of the present ion denotes an interval of accuracy that a person skilled in the art will understand to still ensure the technical effect of the feature in question. The term typically indicates a 3O ion from the indicated numerical value of ::10% and preferably ::5%.

It needs to be understood that the term "comprising" is not ng. Thus, the term "comprising" is ed to be inclusive and to mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. For the purposes of the present invention, the term "consisting of" is considered to be a red embodiment of the term "comprising of". If hereinafter a group is defined to comprise at least a n number of embodiments, this is also meant to encompass a group which preferably consists of these embodiments only.

"Naloxone" as referred to herein is a commercially available narcotic antagonist, which is indicated for the blockade of exogenously administered opioids. It acts at all opioid receptor sites (µ, κ, and δ). Following oral administration, naloxone is rapidly absorbed (within 5-30 minutes) but has a very low oral ilability of <3% due to an extensive first-pass-metabolism. In low oral doses, naloxone does not become ically available but acts mainly on local opioid receptors in the gastrointestinal tract. In cases of opioid overdoses, naloxone reverses the effects of the abused opioids and is thus used in order to treat overdosing.

The term "a pharmaceutically acceptable salt" of naloxone refers e.g. to the hloride salt, the e salt, the bisulfate salt, the tartrate salt, the nitrate salt, the e salt, the bitartrate salt, the phosphate salt, the malate salt, the maleate salt, the hydrobromide salt, the hydroiodide salt, the fumerate salt, the succinate salt and the like.

Naloxone may also be present as base addition salts such as the metal salt of alkali metals including lithium, sodium and potassium. A preferred salt is the hydrochloride salt of naloxone.

The term "intranasal dosage form" as used herein is defined as a pharmaceutical dosage form which releases the active agent within the nose. Upon release, the active agent is transported subsequently into the systemic circulation via the nasal . Typically, a specific dosing unit or metered volume is applied from the intranasal dosage form to one nostril of the nose per administration step. In order to provide for the complete dosing unit or complete metered volume, it may be necessary to carry out at least one priming step of the intranasal dosage form prior to the administration.

In case of a nasal spray, this mean for example that the nasal spray is pumped outside the nose for at least one time until the pump of the spray is completely filled with the metered volume to be applied.

The term "dosing unit" as used herein refers to a c amount of the active agent which is administered in a single administration step to a single nostril. As set out below, such an amount may be e. g. 0.6 mg naloxone HCl per nostril in the initial step of treating an opioid sing. ably, said amount may be equivalent to between about 1.3 mg ne HCl and about 1.6 mg naloxone HCl in a dosing unit if the total amount is provided by administration to one nostril only in a single application step. Alternatively, said amount may be equivalent to between about 0.65 mg naloxone HCl and about 0.8 mg naloxone HCl in a dosing unit if the total amount is provided by administration to two nostrils in a single ation step. Since the naloxone or ceutically acceptable salt thereof is dissolved in an application fluid to a specific final concentration, the amount administered per single administration step corresponds to a specific volume to be administered. In the t invention, said volume is ably S 200 pl.

The intranasal dosage form of the present invention may e.g. be a nasal spray. It is clear to the skilled person that a nasal spray will in most cases not only comprise a final volume of S 200 pl. Rather, said nasal spray may e. g. comprise 1.5 ml, wherein a volume of e.g. 100 pl is administered per administration step, i.e. as metered volume per application. As set out above, priming of the spray may be necessary prior to the application.

The skilled person is aware that due to the presence of two nostrils, intranasal dosage forms may be administered in a dosage regimen divided into two consecutive steps, namely a first administration step of half of the amount of the active agent to be administered into one nostril, followed by the administration of the other half into the other nostril. This "divided" way of stration is preferred for the t invention since smaller volumes per nostril may be used.

In a ularly preferred embodiment, the present invention thus relates to an asal pharmaceutical dosage form comprising naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, n an amount of equivalent to between about 1.3 mg ne HCl and about 1.6 mg naloxone HCl is administered intranasally, wherein said amount is provided by administration to two nostrils, and wherein the volume of the application fluid per nostril is S 250 pl. An amount of equivalent to between about 0.65 mg naloxone HCl and about 0.8 mg naloxone HCl may thus be administered per nostril, arriving at the above total amount.

However, one may also administer the active agent in a single administration step into one nostril. Using an identical volume per nostril as for the divided stration to two nostrils, it is obvious for the skilled person that the concentration of the active agent in the administration fluid then needs to be twice the concentration in order to provide for the same amount of the active agent.

In r particularly preferred embodiment, the present invention thus relates to an intranasal pharmaceutical dosage form comprising naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein an amount of equivalent to between 1.3 mg naloxone HCl and about 1.6 mg naloxone HCl is administered intranasally, wherein said amount is provided by administration to one nostril, and wherein the volume of the application fluid per nostril is S 250 pl. The amount of equivalent to n 1.3 mg ne HCl and about 1.6 mg naloxone HCl may thus be administered to one nostril only.

Generally, a pharmaceutical dosage form comprises an active agent in a specific amount in order to achieve a specific effect. Thus, an active agent may e. g. be 3O comprised in an amount of 10 mg in a tablet, i.e. an oral dosage form. By administering such a tablet in one application step to a patient, the effective amount of 10 mg is provided in the patient’s body. As already discussed above, the ion differs for an intranasal administration of an active agent due to the presence of two nostrils. In this respect, it needs to be understood that the final amount of an active agent administered asally is always the eutically active amount, regardless of whether the administration regimen comprises a single administration step to one nostril only or two consecutive administration steps to two nostrils. Both ways, either the single administration step or the two consecutive administration steps are referred to herein as "one application step" in the meaning of ing the desired therapeutically active amount, e. g. 1.2 mg or an amount of equivalent to between 1.3 mg naloxone HCl and about 1.6 mg naloxone HCl.

The term "application fluid" as used herein preferably refers to a solution sing the active agent in a dissolved state. However, "application fluid" as used herein may also refer to a suspension comprising at least some of the active agent (and optionally further ingredients) in a solid phase sed throughout a fluid phase. When reference to a sion is made, the term "dissolved" is thus used in the meaning of "dispersed". As mentioned below, the formulation used may also be a gel or a gel-like formulation. Accordingly, the term "application fluid" also refers to gel or gel-like phases.

The term ailability" as used herein refers to the extent of an active agent in the systemic circulation and the rate at which an active agent enters the systemic circulation. The bioavailability of an active agent with respect to different dosage forms can inter alia be evaluated by comparing the AUCt-value (see below) provided by a dosage form to be analyzed (e.g. an intranasal dosage form) with the AUCt—value provided by an intravenous dosage form. Thus, the bioavailability expressed in % may be calculated by dividing the AUCt-value of the dosage form to be analyzed and the AUCt-value of the enous dosage form, and multiplying by 3O factor 100.

The "CmaX value" tes the maximum blood plasma concentration of the active agent naloxone.

The "tmaX value" indicates the time point at which the CmaX value is reached. In other words, tmaX is the time point of the maXimum observed plasma concentration.

The "AUC (Area Under the Curve)" value corresponds to the area under the plasma tration-time curve. The AUC value is tional to the amount of the active agent naloxone absorbed into the blood circulation in total and is hence a measure for the bioavailability.

The "AUCt value" is the value for the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from the time of administration to the last measurable concentration. AUCt values are usually calculated using the linear trapezoidal .

"LambdaZ", which is the terminal phase rate constant, is estimated using those points determined to be in the terminal log-linear phase. "tl/2", also termed "tl/2z", which is the apparent terminal phase half-life, is commonly determined from the ratio of ln2 to LambdaZ.

The areas under the plasma concentration-time curve between the last measured point and infinity may be calculated from the ratio of the final observed plasma concentration (Clast) to LambdaZ. This is then added to the AUCt to yield f", which is the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from the time of administration to infinity.

The inventors have singly found that an intranasal pharmaceutical dosage form 3O as described herein eXhibits upon administration an early appearance in the systemic circulation indicated by a low tmaX combined with relatively long plasma ife of the naloxone in the systemic circulation. Moreover, the dosage forms ing to the present invention also display a reasonably high bioavailability in the range of between about 25% and about 35%.

Without being bound to a scientific theory, the inventors assume at present that said remarkable effects of an early tmaX and/or a relatively long elimination half-life (i.e. a sustained action of naloxone) and/or a rather high ilability could be due to rapid absorption of the whole amount of naloxone at the nasal mucous membrane which displays a high vascularization. In order to e this effect, it appears to be essential to administer the naloxone in a small volume such that the loss due to swallowing (which would correspond to oral administration with a low bioavailability, see above), leaking from the nostrils, and the like is avoided.

Therefore, ably small volumes below 0.5 ml of application fluid, more preferably below 0.25 ml application fluid should be used for the administration.

Generally, the s may be in the range of 30 ul to 400 pl, 35 ul to 350 pl, 40 ul to 300 ul, 50 ul to 250 ul, 60 ul to 200 ul, 70 ul to 150 ul, or 80 ul to 120 pl.

The present invention is to be seen in the background of immediate medical care in 2O emergency situations, namely in case of opioid overdosing. In most cases, the overdosing is due to an intravenous abuse of opioids and may result in unconsciousness of the abuser. With the t invention at hand, ne may be administered in order to counter the overdosing of the opioid in a safe and efficient way, namely by intranasal administration.

Moreover, ne may be administered by a family member, a friend or a carer of the opioid addict immediately when being confronted with the overdose situation.

Thus, treatment can be initiated even prior to the arrival of emergency health care personnel which clearly reduces the risk of either a fatal outcome of the sing 3O or major sequelae due to the overdosing. In such a scenario, family members, friends or other carers should thus be provided with an intranasal dosage form ing to the present invention when living with a subject having potential for an overdosing of opioids.

Since naloxone needs to be t in the systemic circulation of the abuser in a concentration sufficient to counter the effect of the opioid, an effective amount of naloxone has to be provided in one application step. However, ing on the abuser and the severity of the overdosing, this effective amount varies and it may thus be necessary to carry out a ion by repeated application steps within a relatively short time until the effective amount is reached.

Typically, the effective amount of naloxone can be determined by assessing the subject’s respiratory rate, wherein an increase in the respiratory rate indicates the countering effect of naloxone. If such an se should not be detectable upon about 5 to about 10 s after administration of the first naloxone dose, a second dose should be administered, followed again by an assessment of the t’s respiratory rate. If two or several application steps are necessary in order to reach the effective dose of naloxone, this is typically referred to as "titration". In the present case, such titration steps are usually carried out within the first 15 to 20 minutes.

A particularly preferred typical starting amount for an intravenous administration of naloxone corresponds to about 0.4 mg IV when ng an opioid se and/or a symptom thereof (see also Example 2 of the present application). With the present surprising finding (e.g. with respect to the intranasal bioavailability of naloxone), a most preferred ng amount of naloxone administered intranasally for use in the treatment of opioid overdosing and/or at least one symptom thereof thus corresponds to an amount equivalent to between about 1.3 mg naloxone HCl and about 1.6 mg naloxone HCl (wherein said amount is provided by stration to one nostril or wherein said amount is provided by administration to two nostrils). Amounts of 3O naloxone equivalent to about 1.3 mg naloxone HCl, about 1.4 mg naloxone HCl, about 1.5 mg naloxone HCl, and about 1.6 mg naloxone HCl may be particularly preferred as typical starting amounts.

Another typical starting point for an effective amount of naloxone may be an amount of equivalent to about 1.2 mg naloxone HCl administered intranasally in one application step.

Thus, one may administer a volume of 200 pl application fluid comprising naloxone in a concentration of equivalent to 6 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid into a single nostril in order to provide for an amount of 1.2 mg ne HCl.

Alternatively, a volume of 100 pl application fluid comprising ne in a concentration of equivalent to 6 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid can be administered into the first nostril, ed by the administration of another 100 pl ation fluid comprising naloxone in a concentration of equivalent to 6 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid into the second l.

Alternatively, one may ster a volume of 150 pl application fluid comprising naloxone in a concentration of equivalent to 8 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid into a single nostril in order to e for an amount of 1.2 mg 2O naloxone HCl. Alternatively, a volume of 75 ul application fluid comprising ne in a concentration of equivalent to 8 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid may be administered into the first nostril, followed by the administration of another 75 ul application fluid comprising naloxone in a concentration of equivalent to 8 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid into the second nostril.

Still alternatively, one may administer a volume of 100 pl application fluid comprising naloxone in a concentration of equivalent to 12 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid into a single nostril in order to e for an amount of 1.2 mg 3O naloxone HCl. Alternatively, a volume of 50 ul application fluid comprising naloxone in a concentration of lent to 12 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid may be administered into the first nostril, followed by the administration of another 50 ul application fluid comprising naloxone in a concentration of equivalent to 12 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid into the second nostril.

Another typical starting point for an effective amount may be an amount of equivalent to about 1.6 mg naloxone HCl administered intranasally in one application step.

Thus, one may administer a volume of 200 pl application fluid comprising naloxone in a concentration of equivalent to 8 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid into a single nostril in order to provide for an amount of 1.6 mg naloxone HCl.

Alternatively, a volume of 100 pl ation fluid comprising naloxone in a concentration of equivalent to 8 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid can be administered into the first nostril, followed by the administration of another 100 pl application fluid comprising ne in a concentration of equivalent to 8 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid into the second nostril. 2O Alternatively, one may administer a volume of 150 pl application fluid comprising ne in a concentration of equivalent to 10.7 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid into a single nostril in order to provide for an amount of 1.6 mg ne HCl. Alternatively, a volume of 75 ul application fluid sing naloxone in a concentration of lent to 10.7 mg naloxone HCl per ml stration fluid may be administered into the first nostril, followed by the administration of another 75 ul application fluid comprising naloxone in a concentration of equivalent to 10.7 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid into the second nostril.

Still alternatively, one may administer a volume of 100 pl application fluid comprising naloxone in a concentration of lent to 16 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid into a single nostril in order to provide for an amount of 1.6 mg naloxone HCl. Alternatively, a volume of 50 ul application fluid comprising naloxone in a concentration of equivalent to 16 mg naloxone HCl per ml stration fluid may be administered into the first nostril, followed by the administration of another 50 ul application fluid comprising naloxone in a concentration of equivalent to 16 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid into the second nostril.

Still another typical starting point for an effective amount may be an amount of equivalent to about 2.4 mg naloxone HCl stered intranasally in one application step.

Thus, one may administer a volume of 200 pl application fluid comprising ne in a concentration of equivalent to 12 mg ne HCl per ml stration fluid into a single nostril in order to provide for an amount of 2.4 mg naloxone HCl.

Alternatively, a volume of 100 pl application fluid comprising naloxone in a concentration of equivalent to 12 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid can 2O be administered into the first nostril, followed by the stration of another 100 pl application fluid comprising naloxone in a concentration of equivalent to 12 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid into the second l.

Alternatively, one may administer a volume of 150 pl application fluid comprising naloxone in a tration of equivalent to 16 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid into a single nostril in order to provide for an amount of 2.4 mg naloxone HCl. Alternatively, a volume of 75 ul application fluid comprising naloxone in a concentration of equivalent to 16 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid may be administered into the first nostril, followed by the 3O administration of another 75 ul application fluid comprising naloxone in a concentration of equivalent to 16 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid into the second nostril.

Still alternatively, one may administer a volume of 100 pl application fluid comprising naloxone in a concentration of equivalent to 24 mg naloxone HCl per ml stration fluid into a single l in order to provide for an amount of 2.4 mg naloxone HCl. Alternatively, a volume of 50 ul application fluid comprising ne in a concentration of equivalent to 24 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid may be administered into the first nostril, followed by the administration of another 50 ul application fluid sing naloxone in a concentration of equivalent to 24 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid into the second nostril.

Yet another typical starting point for an effective amount may be an amount of equivalent to about 3.2 mg naloxone HCl administered intranasally in one application step.

Thus, one may administer a volume of 200 pl application fluid comprising naloxone in a concentration of equivalent to 16 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid 2O into a single nostril in order to provide for an amount of 3.2 mg naloxone HCl.

Alternatively, a volume of 100 pl application fluid comprising naloxone in a concentration of equivalent to 16 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid can be administered into the first nostril, followed by the administration of another 100 pl application fluid sing naloxone in a concentration of equivalent to 16 mg naloxone HCl per ml stration fluid into the second nostril. atively, one may administer a volume of 150 pl application fluid comprising ne in a concentration of equivalent to 21.4 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid into a single l in order to provide for an amount of 3.2 mg 3O naloxone HCl. Alternatively, a volume of 75 ul application fluid comprising naloxone in a concentration of equivalent to 21.4 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid may be stered into the first nostril, followed by the administration of another 75 ul application fluid comprising naloxone in a concentration of equivalent to 21.4 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid into the second nostril.

Still alternatively, one may administer a volume of 100 pl application fluid comprising naloxone in a concentration of equivalent to 32 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid into a single l in order to provide for an amount of 3.2 mg naloxone HCl. Alternatively, a volume of 50 ul application fluid comprising ne in a concentration of equivalent to 32 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid may be administered into the first nostril, followed by the administration of another 50 ul application fluid comprising naloxone in a concentration of equivalent to 32 mg naloxone HCl per ml administration fluid into the second nostril.

It can also be preferred to start with an amount of equivalent to 4 mg naloxone HCl, 6 mg naloxone HCl, 8 mg naloxone HCl, 10 mg naloxone HCl, 12 mg naloxone HCl, 14 mg naloxone HCl or 16 mg naloxone HCl, wherein said amounts are preferably 2O provided in 2 X 100 pl ation fluid for two consecutive administrations to two nostrils in one application step. It might be preferred to exclude an amount of equivalent to 1 mg or 2 mg naloxone HCl administered asally as starting point.

It needs to be understood that the above mentioned second administration step, i.e. the consecutive administration to the second nostril, is not regarded in the present invention as a repeated administration for titration es. Rather, as outlined above, the administration to the first nostril and the stration to the second nostril are regarded as one application step.

It can generally be preferred to administer the naloxone in one application step comprised of two consecutive administration steps, each comprising 100 pl application fluid, to the two nostrils. It can r be preferred for such an application step that the concentration of naloxone or a pharmaceutically able salt thereof in the application fluid is between lent to 6 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid and 80 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid, preferably between equivalent to 10 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid and 70 mg ne HCl per ml application fluid, more preferably between equivalent to 20 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid and 60 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid, and most ably between equivalent to 20 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid and 50 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid. In this setup, a particularly preferred concentration of naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in the application fluid is between equivalent to 18 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid and 20 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid Should the starting dose be insufficient as ive naloxone dose, another application step may be necessary. In this case, a titration to the effective amount is d out (see above). Thus, a second dose may be administered, wherein said second dose preferably ponds to the initial first dose administered, i.e. it can be 2O equivalent to 1.2 mg naloxone HCl, 1.6 mg naloxone HCl, 2.4 mg naloxone HCl or 3.2 mg naloxone HCl. In a preferred embodiment, said second dose may correspond to an amount equivalent to between about 1.3 mg naloxone HCl and about 1.6 mg naloxone HCl (wherein said amount is provided by administration to one nostril or wherein said amount is ed by administration to two nostrils).

As for the first dose, the administration of the second dose may comprise a single administration step only, i.e. to one nostril, or may comprise two consecutive administration steps to two nostrils in order to e for the one application step.

In some cases, it may be necessary to apply a third dose or even a fourth or fifth dose of naloxone in separate application steps in order to achieve the desired effect.

It needs to be understood that all the above mentioned application steps are to be seen as steps carried out during the initial ent phase, typically within the first about 15 to about 30 minutes. As already mentioned above, the inventors have surprisingly found that a slow elimination pattern is achieved by the present invention. Thus, a repeated administration of naloxone may not be necessary.

In some overdosing cases, it may, however, be necessary to inister naloxone intranasally or by a different route in order to maintain the ring effect. Such a re-administration may e. g. be necessary after about 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 hours following the first administration in the first administration may include several application steps during the initial titration).

When re-administering naloxone via the intranasal route, the same doses and volumes as indicated above may be used. Thus, said re-administration dose ably corresponds to the first dose administered. 2O In another preferred embodiment, at least one of the intranasal pharmaceutical dosage form as described herein is combined with an uscular and/or intravenous dosage form comprising naloxone. Thus, the intranasal pharmaceutical dosage form may be stered prior to or subsequent to the administration of the intramuscular and/or intravenous dosage form comprising naloxone. Such a ed administration may be necessary depending on the condition of the subject to be treated and will usually be judged by trained medical nel. When combining the present intranasal administration with an intramuscular and/or intravenous administration, it can be red that about 0.4 mg to about 2 mg naloxone are administered intramuscularly and/or intravenously.

As can be deduced from the example section of the t invention, an intranasal dosage form comprising naloxone dissolved in a small volume provides for a low tmax, a high bioavailability and a relatively long elimination half-life.

Compared to oral dosage forms comprising naloxone, the bioavailability exhibited by the intranasal dosage form of the present invention seems to be higher by a factor of at least about 10. Also, the tmax seems to be lower compared to the tmax of an oral dosage form.

Compared to intravenously administered naloxone, n the bioavailability is set to 100% (and used as reference), the bioavailability of a dosage form of the present invention seems to be reasonably high. Intravenously administered naloxone displays a fast onset of action within about 1 to 2 minutes, which seems to be only slightly faster than the onset of action by a dosage form of the present invention.

As med by the study described in the example section of the present invention, intravenously administered naloxone exhibits an elimination half life of about 60 to 90 s. This rather short elimination half life of intravenously administered naloxone requires a repeated administration or a continuous infusion in order to avoid the ence of the symptoms of opioid overdosing, such as e. g. respiratory depression.

Clearly, this intravenous inistration or continuous infusion is accompanied with drawbacks such as the need for qualified medical personnel with the repeated danger of needlestick injury or the need to monitor a continuous infusion by such nel. This may be overcome by the dosage form of the present invention since the intranasal dosage forms of the present invention y an elimination half life of about several hours.

Thus the pharmaceutical dosage forms of the present invention seem to be particularly suitable in order to be administered in case of an opioid overdosing in order to reverse the overdosing and/or the symptoms thereof, such as e.g. respiratory depression.

Preferably, the intranasal dosage form is a nasal spray, a nasal mucoadhesive dosage form or a Mucosal Atomizer Device, all of which can easily be stered not only by trained medical personnel but also by a lly untrained subject. For the present indication, it is preferred that the intranasal dosage form ponds to a device capable of functioning in a supine position as well as in upright position; such devices are clearly preferred in the present invention (see also device referred to above).

The formulation which is used in the intranasal dosage form may be a solution, a suspension or a nasal gel / ke formulation. Gel or gel-like formulations may particularly be used if additional sustained release of naloxone is aimed at.

Typical pharmaceutical excipients used in intranasal formulations are known to the skilled person and can be used for the formulations according to the present invention. This includes absorption / permeability enhancer as well as binders, carriers and the like which are known to the skilled person. The skilled person is r aware that other typical reagents such as a tonicity agent, a buffer, a solvent, a vent, a ity agent or a gelling agent may be use in the formulation.

Particularly preferred is the use of a nasal spray. Thus, one may e.g. use a nasal spray comprising a dosing unit comprising naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt f in an amount of equivalent to 2 0.6 mg naloxone HCl dissolved in an application fluid of a volume 3 200 pl. Particularly preferred can be the use of 0.6 mg naloxone HCl in an application fluid of a volume of 100 pl per dosing unit of 3O the nasal spray. One ation step comprising two consecutive administrations to the two nostrils would thus result in the provision of an amount of 1.2 mg naloxone HCl. Most preferred is an amount of equivalent to between about 0.65 mg naloxone HCl and 0.8 mg naloxone HCl or between about 1.3 mg naloxone HCl and about 1.6 mg naloxone HCl.

Alternatively, one may use 0.8 mg naloxone HCl in an application fluid of a volume of 100 pl per dosing unit of the nasal spray. One application step comprising two consecutive administrations to the two nostrils would thus result in the provision of an amount of 1.6 mg ne HCl. The nasal spray may in total comprise at least 600 pl which appears to be ent for at least five dosage units and residual volume needed e.g. for priming. Clearly, re-application for an initial titration or for application at later stages should be possible using such a spray.

Generally, the ing s per dosing unit may particularly be used in the nasal spray according to the present invention: about 25 ul, about 50 ul, about 70 ul, about 90 ul, about 100 pl, about 120 pl, about 130 pl or about 140 pl.

Parameters describing the blood plasma curve can be obtained in clinical , first by once-off intranasal administration of the active agent naloxone to a number of test 2O persons. The blood plasma values of the individual test persons are then averaged, e. g. a mean AUC, Cmax and tmax value is obtained. In the context of the present invention, pharmacokinetic parameters such as AUC, Cmax and tmax refer to mean values. Further, in the context of the present invention, in viva parameters such as values for AUC, Cmax, tmax, refer to parameters or values obtained after stration of a single dose to human patients and/or healthy human subjects.

If pharmacokinetic parameters such as mean tmax, Cmax and AUC are measured for healthy human subjects, they are typically obtained by ing the development of blood plasma values over time in a test population of approximately 10 to 25 y 3O human subjects. Regulatory bodies such as the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (EMEA) or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will usually accept data obtained from e. g. 20 or 24 test s. Preferably the parameters obtained relate to single dose administration studies.

The term hy" human subject in this context refers to a typical male or female of usually Caucasian origin with average values as regards height, weight and physiological parameters such as blood pressure etc. Healthy human subjects for the purposes of the present invention are ed according to inclusion and exclusion criteria which are based on and in accordance with recommendations of the International ence for Harmonization of Clinical Trials (ICH). For the purposes of the present invention, healthy subjects may be fied ing to the inclusion and exclusion criteria as ed in the example section. r preferred embodiments of the present invention relate to: 1. An intranasal pharmaceutical dosage form comprising naloxone or a pharmaceutically able salt thereof dissolved in an application fluid to a final concentration of between equivalent to 5 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid and 100 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid, preferably of between equivalent to 5 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid and 70 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid. 2. Dosage form according to 1, wherein a volume of between 200 pl and 50 ul of the application fluid, preferably a volume of 200 pl application fluid, more preferably a volume of 100 pl application fluid is administered per nostril. 3. Dosage form according to 1, wherein said final concentration is between equivalent to 6.5 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid and 33 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid. 4. Dosage form according to 3, wherein a volume of 200 pl application fluid, preferably of 100 pl application fluid, is administered per nostril.

. Dosage form according to 1, wherein said final concentration is between equivalent to 8.5 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid and 44 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid. 6. Dosage form according to 5, wherein a volume of 150 pl application, preferably of 75 ul ation fluid, is administered per nostril. 7. Dosage form according to 1, wherein said final concentration is between equivalent to 13 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid and 66 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid. 8. Dosage form according to 7, wherein a volume of 100 pl application fluid, ably of 50 ul ation fluid, is administered per nostril. 9. Dosage form according to 1, wherein said final tration is between equivalent to 18.5 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid and 94 mg naloxone HCl per ml application fluid.

. Dosage form according to 9, wherein a volume of 70 ul application fluid, preferably of 35 ul application fluid, is administered per nostril. ll. Dosage form according to any of l to 10, wherein said dosage form is for use in the ent of opioid overdosing and/or at least one symptom thereof.

Still further preferred embodiments of the present invention relate to: 3O 1. An intranasal pharmaceutical dosage form comprising a dosing unit comprising naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in an amount of equivalent to 2 0.5 mg naloxone HCl, ably lent to 2 0.6 mg naloxone HCl, dissolved in an application fluid of a volume of S 250 pl, preferably of a volume of S 200 pl. 2. Dosage form according to 1, wherein the amount of naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is within a range of equivalent to 0.6 mg naloxone HCl to 12 mg naloxone HCl, preferably equivalent to 0.6 mg naloxone HCl to 6 mg naloxone HCl, more ably lent to 0.6 mg naloxone HCl to 3.75 mg naloxone HCl, and most preferably equivalent to 0.6 mg naloxone HCl to 2.0 mg naloxone HCl. 3. Dosage form according to 1 or 2, wherein the volume of the application fluid is within a range of 200 pl to 35 ul, preferably of 200 pl to 50 ul, more preferably of 200 pl to 100 pl, and most preferably of 150 pl to 100 pl. 4. Dosage form ing to any of 1 to 3, wherein the amount of naloxone or a ceutically acceptable salt thereof is equivalent to 0.6 mg naloxone HCl or 1.2 mg naloxone HCl, and the volume of the application fluid is within a range of 200 pl to 50 ul, preferably of 200 pl to 100 pl, and more preferably of150 pl to 100 pl.

. Dosage form according to any of 1 to 4, wherein the dosage form provides for a bioavailability of the active agent naloxone in humans of 20% to 40% as ined against a reference of intravenously administered ne with a bioavailability set to 100%. 6. Dosage form according to any of 1 to 5, wherein the dosage form provides for an onset of action of the active agent naloxone in humans within 5 minutes to 18 minutes upon administration. 7. Dosage form according to any of 1 to 6, wherein the dosage form provides for a plasma half-live of the active agent naloxone in humans of 1.5 hours to 9 hours upon administration. 8. Dosage form according to any of 1 to 7, wherein the application fluid is selected from the group comprising water and an aqueous saline solution, preferably NaCl in water, more preferably NaCl in water to a concentration of 0.9% weight/volume. 9. Dosage form according to any of 1 to 8, wherein the dosage form ses at least two dosage units, preferably at least three dosage units, more preferably at least four dosage units and most preferably at least five dosage units.

. Dosage form according to any of 1 to 9, wherein the dosage form is selected from the group of dosage forms sing a nasal spray, a nasal mucoadhesive dosage form and a Mucosal Atomizer Device. 11. Dosage form according to any of 1 to 10, wherein said dosage form is for use in the treatment of opioid overdosing and/or at least one m thereof. 12. Dosage form according to 12, wherein the opioid overdosing symptom is selected from the group comprising respiratory depression, d level consciousness, miotic , hypoxemia, acute lung injury and aspiration pneumonia. 13. Dosage form according to 11 or 12, wherein the dosage form is re- applied during an initial titration period in order to provide for an effective amount of naloxone. 14. Dosage form according to any one of 11 to 13, wherein the dosage form is combined with an uscular and/or intravenous dosage form comprising naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

. Use of naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in an amount of equivalent to 2 0.5 mg naloxone HCl dissolved in an application fluid of a volume of S 250 pl in a dosing unit of an asal pharmaceutical dosage form.

Examples es of embodiments of the present invention are outlined below. However, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present ion.

Example 1 : In the following, the results of a single-center, open-label, ized investigation in healthy volunteers to ine the intranasal and sublingual bioavailabilities of naloxone in a ay crossover study are set out.

Summary of the study Objectives: To assess the absolute bioavailability of 8 mg and 16 mg intranasally and 16 mg sublingually administered naloxone compared with 1 mg of intravenously administered naloxone to healthy subjects.

Methodology: A single-center, open-label, randomized, 4-way crossover study using 8 mg and 16 mg intranasally, 16 mg naloxone sublingually, and 1 mg intravenous naloxone. A 4-sequence Williams design was used.

Number of Subjects: Planned: 12 subjects; full analysis for PK metrics: 12 subjects; Safety population: 12 subjects; Completed: 10 subjects; Discontinued: 2 subjects [due to their own choice].

Indication and Criteria for Inclusion: Subjects were males and/or females aged :18 and 355 years who were in good health as ined by no clinically cant findings in medical history; physical examination (including nasopharyngeal and oral cavity); ocardiograms (ECGs); and clinical laboratory determinations.

Test Treatment, Dose, and Mode of Administration: L Naloxone 8 mg and 16 mg were administered as 400 ul intranasally (200 ul per nostril). This corresponded to approximately 0.11 mg/kg bodyweight (for 8 mg) and 0.22 mg/kg bodyweight (for 16 mg).

The administration was as follows: The pump of the nasal spray was primed by removing the cap and pressing downward. This is repeated at least 6 times or until a fine spray appears; g is done just prior to dosing.

The t is in a standing or upright position and should gently blow the nose to 2O clear the nostrils. The t should tilt the head forward slightly and gently close one nostril by ng the outside of the nose with a finger on the nostril to be closed.

The deVice is inserted into the open nostril and it is sprayed 2 times into the nostril.

The subject should gently breath inward through the nostril; the deVice is removed; and the steps are repeated for the other nostril.

A Naloxone 16 mg was administered sublingually in a 1 ml solution which was retained under the tongue for 5 minutes.

Naloxone hydrochloride powder was obtained from Mallenckrodt Chemical (Lot no. E09611). Solutions were prepared in 0.9% sodium chloride solution (pH adjusted to 5.6).

Reference Treatment, Dose, and Mode of stration: Intravenous naloxone 1 mg administered as a 1 ml bolus over a 30-second period. ne hloride 1 mg/ml in 10 ml vials was obtained from Bristol- Meyers Squibb Holdings Pharma, Ltd, USA.

Duration of Treatment and Study: The screening period occurred within 14 days prior to dosing in Period 1. There were 4 -dose, open-label treatments, with a minimum 14-day washout between each treatment. Subjects had an End-of—Study medical evaluation after assessments for the fourth dosing were complete on Day 45, or upon early study discontinuation (see figure 1).

Treatment Schedule: Single dose of study drug in each of 4 study periods; each dose of study drug followed by at least a 14-day washout period (Periods l, 2 and 3 only).

Criteria for Evaluation: is Populations: The enrolled population was defined as any subject who signed an Informed Consent Form. The safety population was defined as any subject who received any study treatment and had at least one subsequent safety assessment.

The full analysis tion for pharmacokinetic metrics was defined as those subjects who received a study treatment and had at least one subsequent valid PK metric.

Pharmacokinetic / Blood sampling times: Blood sampling for pharmacokinetics was performed at the following times relative to each dose: time 0 (just prior to dosing), Minutes 1, 2, 4, 10, 30, 40 and Hours 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16,24.

Pharmacokinetic metrics: dual subject pharmacokinetic metrics for naloxone and 6B-naloxol AUCt, AUCINF, CmaX, tmaX, Lambdaz and tl/2z were derived using noncompartmental methods by a validated pharmacokinetic analysis program.

Safety: Safety was assessed using e , clinical laboratory results, vital signs, and ECGs.

Bioanalytical Methods: Plasma concentrations of naloxone and 6B-naloxol were quantified by LC-MS/MS methodology using a previously validated assay.

Additionally, subject plasma samples were assayed (via GLP and/or non-GLP methods) for other relevant naloxone metabolites.

Statistical Methods: Plasma concentrations and pharmacokinetic metrics were summarized descriptively (11, mean, SD, ric mean where riate for AUCt, AUCINF and CmaX, SE (for concentrations only), median, minimum and maximum were determined) for each analyte for each treatment. Absolute bioavailabilities of the asal and sublingual treatments were calculated.

Details of the study Study design: The study was a single-dose, open-label, 4-treatment, 4-period, randomized, crossover study in healthy adult male and female subjects in order to assess the cokinetics of two doses of nasally administered and one dose of sublingually stered naloxone compared with intravenously administered naloxone. Subjects received each of the 4 treatments according to a random code, with at least a 14-day washout period between each dosing. ts were screened within 14 days before the first dosing day. Eligible subjects then d in to the study unit on the evening before dosing in each study period. Subjects were stered the study drug the next morning, following an overnight fast.

Pharmacokinetic blood samples were taken for 36 hours after administration of study drug in each study period, and ts were discharged after the 24-hour blood . Subjects returned to the study unit to e the 36-hr PK blood sample.

Throughout the study, vital signs were monitored and adverse events (AEs) recorded. ts underwent end-of-study procedures, similar to those at screening, during their final outpatient visit or upon early termination/discontinuation from the study.

Inclusion criteria for study population: - Males and females of any ethnic group.

- Ages :18 and :55 years inclusive.

- BMI within the range 18 - 32 kg/m2 inclusive and within the weight range 50 - 100 kg ive.

- Females must be nonlactating, nonpregnant, and provide a negative serum pregnancy test at screening and a negative urine pregnancy test within 24 hours before receiving each dose of the study drug. WOCBP must agree to use a hormonal contraceptive, barrier contraceptive with onal spermicide, or an intrauterine device. Female subjects who are postmenopausal must have been postmenopausal for > 1 year and have elevated serum FSH consistent with postmenopausal status.

- Generally of good health, evidenced by a lack of significantly abnormal findings on medical history, physical examination, clinical laboratory tests, vital signs, and ECGs.

- Provide written informed consent. If HIPAA criteria are not incorporated into the consent form, a separate addendum to the informed t form must be signed.

- Willing and able to follow all rules of the ol, including returning for outpatient visits.

Exclusion criteria for study population: - Any history of hypersensitivity to naloxone or d compounds.

- Subjects who meet American Academy of Pain Medicine, the American Pain Society, and American Society of Addiction Medicine criteria for addiction: "characterized by ors that include one or more of the following: ed control over drug use, compulsive use, continued use despite harm, and craving," but for this study not including tobacco dependence.

- OOWSL4 score > 4 within I hour prior to dosing.

- History of or any current conditions that might ere with drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and/or excretion.

- Conditions of the nose that might interfere with intranasal drug absorption, including any type of rhinitis, polyps, complete or partial obstruction of any etiology (e.g., signif1cant deviation of nasal septum, recent trauma or surgery), active bleeding or recent history of recurrent nose bleeds, or any tions.

- Any foreign object (including jewelry) in the nasal or oral cavities or any perforation into either cavity or through the septum or tongue (including piercings for jewelry). - al mucosa on nasal speculum examination including: Atrophic mucosa, perforations, multiple polyps, fully obstructed nasal passage on either side, hemangioma - ions of the mouth that might interfere with ral ngual) drug absorption, including any type of ulceration, infection, or recent trauma or surgery.

Routine dental cleaning within the previous two weeks or planned dental cleaning during the study.

- Poor oral hygiene, including gingivitis.

- Abnormal oral mucosa on examination including: atrophic mucosa, malignant or benign tumors ding fibromas and hemangiomas) or cysts, bullous lesions (eg, pemphigus or erythema multiforme), glossitis, aphthous ulcers, lichen planus, leukoplakia, infections [bacterial, mycotic, viral (eg, herpetic)] Any use of intranasal products (prescription, scription, or anything else stered intranasally) within 4 weeks prior to dosing.

- Use of any prescription drugs (except hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for postmenopausal females, or ceptive medications) within 4 weeks prior to first dosing or during the course of the study. Exceptions may be made on a case- e basis for drugs with a short half-life (eg, tetracycline) and/or no known cant drug interactions (eg, finasteride).

- Use of any nonprescription medications, including vitamins and herbal or mineral ments, during the 7 days preceding or 2 days following any dosing. ions may be made on a case-by-case basis for medications with a short half-life.

- Participation in a clinical drug study during the 30 days preceding the initial dose in this study.

- Any significant illness within 4 weeks prior to the first dosing.

- Donation of blood or blood products within 30 days prior to study drug administration or anytime during the study. - l to abstain from food at least 10 hours preceding and 4 hours following study drug administration or refusal to abstain from caffeine- or xanthine- containing beverages entirely during each confinement. = 4 oz - l intake exceeding the equivalent to >21 units/week (12 oz beer wine = 1.5 oz shot = 1 unit).

- Consumption of alcoholic beverages within 48 hours of study drug administration.

- History of smoking within 45 days of study drug administration (must have a 2O negative urine ne at screening).

- Positive results at screening of urine drug screen, blood alcohol, or serology, including anti-HBc and anti-HCV. - the Investigator believes the subject to be unsuitable for some reason not specifically stated in the exclusion criteria.

Method of administration: Subjects were administered the study medication on the mornings of each dosing day. Subjects were dosed following an overnight fast of at least 10 hours. After the , subjects remained in an upright g position for a minimum of 4 hours. The intranasal doses were administered via a metered dose nasal spray device. 200 ul per nostril were administered for a total volume of 400 ul.

For each intranasal administration, the head was tilted ly forward. Subjects were instructed to refrain from g the nose or sneezing after administration. Subjects who receive intranasal dosing documented any sneezes that occured within 5 minutes of dosing in the source documents.

The sublingual dose of naloxone was administered by having the t retain the solution (0.4 ml) under the tongue for 5 minutes, after which the mouth was thoroughly rinsed with water and the eXpectorated rinse residue discarded. Subjects were in a standing or upright sitting position. Subjects were instructed not to swallow any of the rinse. They also refrained from drinking water for 1 hour after the rinse.

Intravenous naloxone will be given as a 30-second bolus while the subject is sitting.

Safety: The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) was similar across all treatment groups: 8 mg intranasal naloxone [3 TEAEs]; 16 mg intranasal naloxone [5 TEAEs]; 16 mg sublingual naloxone [l TEAE]; 1 mg intravenous naloxone [4 TEAEs]. The most common TEAEs occurred in the Gastrointestinal Disorders and Nervous System Disorder SOCs (System Organ Class).

Gastrointestinal Disorders TEAEs were observed in the 16 mg intranasal, 1 mg enous, andl6 mg sublingual groups only, whereas Nervous System TEAEs were observed in the 8 mg and 16 mg intranasal and 1 mg intravenous groups only.

There were no deaths, serious adverse events, or other significant adverse .

One subject recorded a markedly al high triglyceride value (8.355 mmol/l) on Day 44 of the study. However, the subject had recorded a ceride value above the normal range (4.189 mmol/l) on Day -9, prior to receiving study drug.

Another t reported a markedly abnormal low potassium value (3.3 mmol/l), a markedly abnormal high SGPT value (371 U/l), and a markedly al high total 3O bilirubin value (39.33 umol/l) on Day 44 of the study. Potassium, SGPT, and total bilirubin values for this subject were normal prior to the subject ing study drug.

These laboratory findings were observed during the routine lab evaluation and not reported as suspected adverse events by the investigator. ore, a causality assessment was not provided. Due to the timely relationship to the administration of the investigated drug the sponsor rated the event to be "possibly" related according to the WHO thm.

No clinically relevant changes in ECG occurred.

Three subjects had ly abnormal changes in pulse rate and one subject had a markedly al change in blood re. TEAEs of vasovagal attack were reported in 3 subjects after intranasal application of naloxone (2 subjects: one subject after 8 mg and one subject after 16 mg) and intravenous bolus (1 mg) administration (1 subject). No overall trend in al vital sign changes was observed in this study.

Concomitant therapy was administered to 6 subjects for 10 TEAEs. Three of these 10 TEAEs were vasovagal s and subjects were placed in the supine position to r. No additional medication was given to these subjects. One subject received 2O additional medication for headache twice. Additional medication was administered for single events of hemorrhoid removal, urticaria, gastroesophageal reflux, nausea and urinary tract infection.

Pharmacokinetic: Following intranasal administration of ne there was a very early appearance of the drug in the systemic circulation, with peak plasma concentrations being attained as early as 6 minutes (median 18 minutes) after dosing.

Mean absolute bioavailabilities of 32% and 27% were recorded from the 8 mg and 16 mg doses respectively, by dividing the AUC of the intranasal naloxone by the AUC of the intravenous reference naloxone and multiplying by 100%. In contrast to 3O the rapid elimination half life associated with the intravenous reference ( The mean cokinetic ters for naloxone are depicted in figure 2. e 2: Based on the data gained in Example 1, the ing predictions of amounts of naloxone administered intravenously or intranasally were carried out.

A typical starting point for an intravenous administration of naloxone is in the range of about 0.4 mg (IV). Based on the AUC-values for 1 mg IV naloxone, 8 mg IN naloxone and 16 mg IN of example 1, it can be ted that the range of dose- proportionality to 1 mg IV is in the range of 3 mg to 4 mg for IN naloxone. For 0.4 mg IV naloxone, this results in typical starting amounts for naloxone administered 2O intranasally ranging from 1.2 mg to 1.6 mg.

Based on the original data of the study of example 1 on either 8 mg naloxone or 16 mg naloxone administered intranasally (IN) and of 1 mg naloxone stered intravenously (IV), plasma concentrations were predicted for the following amounts: 0.4 mg naloxone IV, 1.2 mg naloxone IN and 1.6 mg ne IN.

Using a first method (Excel), the Cmax and AUCt-values based on the original data for the 8 mg naloxone administered IN and the 1 mg naloxone IV were calculated by performing mpartmental analysis on the mean profiles which had been scaled 3O to the proposed doses with the following results: —CmaX(pg/ml) AUCt (pg.h/ml) 1.2111ng 1535.2 3159.6 1.6 mg IN 2046.9 4212.8 0.4 mg IV 4735.2 4578.9 The corresponding curves are depicted in figure 3 (for the total time period of 36 h) and in figure 4 (for a time period of4 h).

Using Excel, the CmaX and AUCt-Values based on the original data for the 16 mg naloxone administered IN and the 1 mg ne administered IV were also ated by ming non-compartmental analysis on the mean profiles which had been scaled to the proposed doses with the following results: —CmaX(pg/ml) AUCt (pg.h/ml) 1.2111ng 1052.5 2585.0 1.6 mg IN 1403.4 3446.7 0.4 mg IV 4735.2 4578.9 The corresponding curves are depicted in figure 5 (for the total time period of 36 h) and in figure 6 (for a time period of4 h).

Using a second method (WinNonlin Modeling), the original data for the 8 mg naloxone administered IN were fitted by a compartmental pharrnacokinetic model followed by the simulations of the concentrations based on the model. The corresponding CmaX and AUCt-Values are as follows (for the total time period of 36 —CmaX(pg/ml) AUCt (pg.h/ml) 1.2 mg IN 1599.5 2876.2 1.6 mgIN 2132.6 3835.0 The corresponding curves are depicted in figure 7 for a time period of 4 h together with the predicted concentrations using Excel (see above).

Using WinNonlin, the original data for the 16 mg naloxone administered IN were also fitted by a compartmental pharmacokinetic model ed by the simulations of the concentrations based on the model. The corresponding Cmax and AUCt- values are as follows (for the total time period of 36 h): —Cmax(pg/ml) AUCt (pg.h/ml) 1.2 mgIN 893.5 2163.1 1.6 mgIN 1191.3 2884.1 The corresponding curves are depicted in figure 8 for a time period of 4 h together with the predicted concentrations using Excel (see above).

As can particularly be derived from figure 7, the IN naloxone plasma levels predicted for amounts of 1.2 mg and 1.6 mg, respectively, display a er se with a longer plateau compared to IV administration of 0.4 mg. r, the initial slope of the IN-curves is rather steep as well. Further, the IN-curves display a rather smooth decline following Cmax compared to the IV curve. 2O Example 3: As t particularly from figures 4, 6, 7 and 8, the plasma concentration curve predicted for an amount of 0.4 mg naloxone IV displays two peaks, wherein the first peak after a few minutes is followed by a second peak corresponding to the Cmax- peak.

Due to this rather unusual IV profile, it was decided to exclude one outlying t who was apparently responsible for the "double peak IV profile" when predicting the plasma concentration curve for an amount of 0.4 mg naloxone administered intravenously. The calculations using Excel and WinNonlin for the 1.2 mg ne IN and 1.6 mg naloxone IN correspond to the data as shown in Example 2.

Using Excel, the Cmax and alues based on the 1 mg naloxone IV data excluding the outlying subject were calculated by performing mpartmental analysis on the mean profiles which had been scaled to the dose of 0.4 mg IV with the ing results (depicted again with the IN-Values based on the 8 mg IN data): —Cmax(pg/ml) AUCt (pg.h/ml) 1.2 mgIN 1535.2 3159.6 1.6 mg IN 2046.9 4212.8 0.4 mg IV 2881.7 3812.2 The corresponding curves are depicted in figure 9 (for the total time period of 36 h) and in figure 10 (for a time period of4 h).

In the following table, the values calculated for Cmax and AUCt based on the 1 mg naloxone IV data excluding the outlying subject are shown in comparison to the Cmax and AUCt-values calculated for 1.2 mg IN and 1.6 mg IN based on the 16 mg IN data: —Cmax(pg/ml) AUCt (pg.h/ml) 1.2 mgIN 1052.5 2585.0 1.6 mg IN 1403.4 3446.7 0.4 mg IV 2881.7 3812.2 The corresponding curves are depicted in figure 11 (for the total time period of 36 h) and in figure 12 (for a time period of4 h).

As already described in example 2, the original data for the 8 mg naloxone administered IN were also fitted by a compartmental pharmacokinetic model followed by the simulations of the concentrations based on the model (WinNonlin Modeling). The corresponding curves together with the 0.4 mg IV curve excluding the ng subject (based on Excel) are depicted in figure 13 for a time period of 4 h. Figure 14 shows the corresponding curves for the modeling based on the 16 mg naloxone IN data together with the 0.4 mg IV curve excluding the outlying subject (based on Excel). y, figures 15 and 16 summarize the data of example 3 described above for a period of4 h.

Particularly figure 15 shows that the IN naloxone plasma levels predicted for amounts of 1.2 mg and 1.6 mg, tively, display a smoother increase with a considerably longer plateau compared to IV administration of 0.4 mg. It is also evident that the IN-curves display a smooth e ing Cmax compared to the 2O IV curve.

Claims (35)

1. An intranasal pharmaceutical dosage form comprising a dosing unit comprising naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in an amount of equivalent to between 0.65 mg naloxone HCl and 0.8 mg naloxone HCl or between 1.3 5 mg ne HCl and 1.6 mg naloxone HCl dissolved in an application fluid of a volume of ≤ 250 µl.

2. Dosage form according to claim 1, wherein the volume of the application fluid is ≤ 200 µl. 10

3. Dosage form according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said dosing unit comprises naloxone or a ceutically acceptable salt thereof in an amount of equivalent to between 0.65 mg naloxone HCl and 0.8 mg naloxone HCl if a single application step comprises the administration to two nostrils. 15

4. Dosage form according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said dosing unit comprises naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in an amount of equivalent to between 1.3 mg naloxone HCl and 1.6 mg ne HCl if a single application step comprises the administration to one nostril. 20

5. Dosage form ing to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the volume of the application fluid is within a range of 200 µl to 35 µl.

6. Dosage form according to any one of claims 1 to 4, n the volume of the application fluid is within a range of 200 µl to 50 µl.

7. Dosage form according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the volume 25 of the application fluid is within a range of 200 µl to 100 µl.

8. Dosage form according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the application fluid is ed from the group comprising water and an aqueous saline solution.

9. Dosage form according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the application fluid is an aqueous NaCl solution.

10. Dosage form according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the application fluid isan aqueous 0.9% (weight/volume) NaCl solution.

11. Dosage form according to any of the ing claims, wherein the dosage form is selected from the group of dosage forms comprising a nasal spray, a nasal mucoadhesive dosage form and a Mucosal Atomizer Device. 10

12. Use of naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the manufacture of an intranasal pharmaceutical dosage form for the treatment of opioid overdosing and/or at least one m thereof, wherein naloxone or a ceutically able salt f is dissolved in an application fluid and wherein the treatment comprises intranasal administration of an amount of equivalent to between 15 1.3 mg naloxone HCl and 1.6 mg naloxone HCl, wherein said amount is provided by administration to one nostril or n said amount is provided by administration to two nostrils, and wherein the volume of the application fluid per nostril is ≤ 250 µl.

13. Use according to claim 12, wherein the volume of the application fluid per nostril is ≤ 200 µl.

14. Use according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the treatment comprises the intranasal administration of an amount of naloxone or a pharmaceutically able salt thereof equivalent to 1.3 mg ne HCl or 1.4 mg naloxone HCl or 1.5 mg naloxone HCl or 1.6 mg ne HCl.

15. Use according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the volume of the application fluid per nostril is within a range of 200 µl to 35 µl.

16. Use according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the volume of the application fluid per nostril is within a range of 200 µl to 50 µl.

17. Use according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the volume of the application fluid per l is within a range of 200 µl to 100 µl.

18. Use ing to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the volume of the 5 application fluid per nostril is within a range of 150 µl to 100 µl.

19. Use according to any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein said amount is provided by stration to one nostril. 10

20. Use according to any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein the application fluid is selected from the group comprising water and an s saline solution.

21. Use according to any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein the application fluid is an aqueous NaCl solution.

22. Use according to any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein the application 15 fluid is an aqueous 0.9% (weight/volume) NaCl solution.

23. Use according to any one of claims 12 to 22, n the dosage form comprises said amount or half of said amount dissolved in an application fluid in a dosing unit, the amount being dependent on whether said amount is provided by 20 administration to one nostril or by administration to two nostrils.

24. Use according to claim 23, wherein the dosage form comprises a single dosing unit or two dosing units, dependent on whether said amount is provided by administration to one nostril or by administration to two nostrils, and is for single use.

25. Use according to claim 23, wherein the dosage form comprises at least two dosing units, and is for le uses.

26. Use according to claim 23, wherein the dosage form comprises at least three dosing units, and is for multiple uses.

27. Use according to claim 23, wherein the dosage form ses at least four dosing units and is for multiple uses.

28. Use according to claim 23, wherein the dosage form comprises at least five dosing units and is for multiple uses.

29. Use according to any one of claims 12 to 28, wherein the dosage form is selected from the group of dosage forms comprising a nasal spray, a nasal hesive dosage form and a Mucosal Atomizer Device. 10

30. Use according to any one of claims 12 to 29, wherein the dosage form comprises ne as the only pharmaceutically active compound.

31. Use according to any one of claims 12 to 30, wherein the opioid overdosing is caused by the illicit use of opioids or by an accidental misuse of opioids 15 during medical opioid therapy.

32. Use according to any one of claims 12 to 31, wherein the opioid overdosing symptom is selected from the group comprising respiratory depression; altered level consciousness; miotic pupils; hypoxemia; acute lung injury and aspiration 20 pneumonia.

33. Use ing to claim 32, wherein the opioid sing symptom is a erative opioid respiratory depression.

34. Use according to any one of claims 12 to 33, wherein the treatment 25 comprises that said amount is re-administered during an initial titration period in order to provide for an effective amount of naloxone.

35. Use according to any one of claims 12 to 34, wherein the dosage form is combined with an intramuscular and/or intravenous dosage form comprising ne 30 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.