| abstract |
The invention relates to a transdermal or transmucosal non-occlusive, semi-solid pharmaceutical formulation that includes at least one systemically active agent that acts on the Central Nervous System (CNS) of a mammal; and a permeation enhancing solvent system present in an amount sufficient to solubilize the at least one active ingredient. The permeation enhancing solvent system includes a pharmaceutically acceptable monoalkyl ether of diethylene glycol; a pharmaceutically acceptable glycol; preferably also a fatty alcohol and or a fatty acid; and a mixture of a C 2 to C 4 alcohol and water so that the permeation enhancing solvent system (a) inhibits crystallization of the at least one active ingredient on a skin or mucosal surface of a mammal, (b) reduces or prevents transfer of the formulation to clothing or to another being, (c) modulates biodistribution of the at least one active agent within different layers of skin, (d) facilitates absorption of the at least one active agent by a skin or a mucosal surface of a mammal, or (e) provides a combination of one or more of (a) through (d). |