The present invention further provides method of preparing nanocrystals or microcrystals of a hydrophobic therapeutic agent such as fluticasone or triamcinolone, pharmaceutical compositions (e.g., topical or intranasal compositions) thereof and methods for treating and/or preventing the signs and/or symptoms of disorders such as blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction or skin inflammation or a respiratory disease (e.g., asthma).

Described herein are neuroactive steroids of the Formula (I):

##STR00001##

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; wherein , A, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are as defined herein. Such compounds are envisioned, in certain embodiments, to behave as GABA modulators. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of the present invention and methods of use, e.g., for treating a subject suffering from a disease or disorder described herein.

Provided herein are 19-nor C3,3-disubstituted steroids of Formula (I): ##STR00001##
and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; wherein , R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3a, R.sup.3b, R.sup.4a, and R.sup.4b are as defined herein, and A is a carbon bound substituted or unsubstituted 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl ring as defined herein. Such compounds are contemplated useful for the prevention and treatment of a variety of CNS-related conditions, for example, treatment of sleep disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, convulsive disorders, disorders of memory and/or cognition, movement disorders, personality disorders, autism spectrum disorders, pain, traumatic brain injury, vascular diseases, substance abuse disorders and/or withdrawal syndromes, and tinnitus.

Provided herein is a compound of the Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R.sup.2a, R.sup.2b, R.sup.3a, R.sup.4a, R.sup.4b, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.11a, R.sup.11b, R.sup.15a, R.sup.15b, R.sup.16, R.sup.17, R.sup.19, R.sup.X, R.sup.Y, and t are defined herein. Also provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of Formula (I) and methods of using the compounds, e.g., in the treatment of CNS-related disorders.

##STR00001##

Described herein is the chemical structure of neurosteroid derivative compounds, methods of synthesizing the derivatives, and their uses in treating disorders, including those of the central nervous system. These compounds are readily synthesized and have improved pharmaceutical properties, including water solubility, compared to known neurosteroids.

Described herein are neuroactive steroids of the Formula (I): ##STR00001##
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; wherein , A, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3a, R.sup.4a, R.sup.4b, R.sup.5, R.sup.7a, and R.sup.7b are as defined herein. Such compounds are envisioned, in certain embodiments, to behave as GABA modulators. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of the present invention and methods of use and treatment, e.g., such for inducing sedation and/or anesthesia.

The present invention further provides method of preparing nanocrystals of a hydrophobic therapeutic gent such as fluticasone or triamcinolone, pharmaceutical compositions (e.g., topical or intranasal compositions) thereof and methods for treating and/or preventing the signs and/or symptoms of disorders such as blepharitis, Meibomian gland dysfuntion or skin inflammation or a respiratory disease (e.g., asthma).

Described herein are neuroactive steroids of the Formula (I): ##STR00001##
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein , A, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3a, R.sup.4a, R.sup.4b, R.sup.5, R.sup.7a, and R.sup.7b are as defined herein. Such compounds are envisioned, in certain embodiments, to behave as GABA modulators. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of the present invention and methods of use and treatment, e.g., such for inducing sedation and/or anesthesia.

Potent soft corticosteroid pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and method for use as anti-inflammatory agents. Also, a method for softening fluticasone propionate and similar corticosteroids to arrive at potent but safer alternatives. The compound 5-fluoromethyl 17α-dichloroacetoxy-6α,9α-difluoro-11β-hydroxy-16a-methyl-3-oxoandrosta-1,4-diene-17β-carbothioate, which is equally potent to but safer than fluticasone, is among those provided. Another compound of particular interest is 2-hydroxyethyl 17α-dichloroacetoxy-6α,9α-difluoro-11β-hydroxy-16β-methyl-3-oxoandrosta-1,4-diene-17β-carboxylate.

Described herein are neuroactive steroids of the Formula (I):

##STR00001##

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein A, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3a, R.sup.4a, R.sup.4b, R.sup.5, R.sup.7a, and R.sup.7b are as defined herein. Such compounds are envisioned, in certain embodiments, to behave as GABA modulators. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of the present invention and methods of use and treatment, e.g., such for inducing sedation and/or anesthesia.