The present invention relates to the delivery of muscle relaxants through an inhalation route. Specifically, it relates to aerosols containing muscle relaxants that are used in inhalation therapy. In a method aspect of the present invention, a muscle relaxant is delivered to a patient through an inhalation route. The method comprises: a) heating a coating of a muscle relaxant, on a solid support, to form a vapor; and, b) passing air through the heated vapor to produce aerosol particles having less than 5% muscle relaxant degradation products. In a kit aspect of the present invention, a kit for delivering a muscle relaxant through an inhalation route is provided which comprises: a) a coating of a muscle relaxant and b) a device for dispensing said coating a muscle relaxant as a condensation aerosol.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/814,998, entitled "Delivery of Muscle Relaxants Through an Inhalation Route," filed Mar. 31, 2004, Rabinowitz and Zaffaroni, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/150,267, entitled "Delivery of Muscle Relaxants Through an Inhalation Route," filed May 15, 2002, Rabinowitz and Zaffaroni, which claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/294,203 entitled "Thermal Vapor Delivery of Drugs," filed May 24, 2001, Rabinowitz and Zaffaroni. This application further claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/317,479 entitled "Aerosol Drug Delivery," filed Sep. 5, 2001, Rabinowitz and Zaffaroni. The entire disclosures of the above references are hereby incorporated by reference.
