abstract |
A pharmaceutical composition for application to an area of skin of a subject for local and/or systemic treatment of a COX-2 mediated disorder comprises a backing sheet that is flexibly conformable to the area of skin, the backing sheet having opposing surfaces that are respectively distal and proximal to the skin when applied; and a coating on the proximal surface of the backing sheet that comprises (a) an adhesive and (b) an active agent comprising valdecoxib or a prodrug thereof or a salt thereof, the active agent being in a therapeutically effective total amount and dispersed in a matrix that comprises zero to less than an active agent solubilizing effective amount in total of one or more solvents other than the adhesive. A method of local treatment of a site of pain and/or inflammation in a subject comprises applying the composition to a skin surface of the subject, preferably at a locus overlying or adjacent to the site of pain and/or inflammation, and leaving the composition in place for a time period effective to permit delivery of a locally therapeutic amount of the active agent. A method of systemic treatment of a subject having a COX-2 mediated disorder comprises applying the composition to a skin surface of the subject, and leaving the composition in place for a time period effective to permit transdermal delivery of a therapeutic amount of the active agent. |