| abstract |
Methods and compositions for enhancing the activity and/or duration of action of loteprednol etabonate and other soft anti-inflammatory steroids of the haloalkyl 17α-alkoxycarbonyloxy-11β-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one-17β-carboxylate type and the corresponding Δ 1,4 -compounds are described. The enhancing agents have the formula: n n n wherein Z 1 is carbonyl, β-hydroxymethylene or methylene; R 2 is H, —OH or —OCOR 3 wherein R 3 is C 1 -C 5 alkyl; Y is —OH, —SH or —OCOR 4 wherein R 4 is C 1 -C 5 alkyl, cyclopentylethyl or diethylaminoethyl; and the dotted line in ring A indicates that the 1,2-linkage is saturated or unsaturated. |