A process of manufacturing sterile topical ophthalmic aqueous nanosuspensions of nanocrystals of fluticasone propionate Form A. The sterile topical ophthalmic nanosuspensions may be used in the treatment of eye inflammation conditions such as blepharitis, posterior blepharitis, Meibomian gland dysfunction and dry eye through topical administration of said nanosuspensions to eyelids, eyelashes and eyelid margin.

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.

The present invention relates to compounds and their uses, in particular, compounds in the form of prodrugs that promote transport of a pharmaceutical agent to the lymphatic system and subsequently enhance release of the parent drug.

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 sulfated oxysterol 5-cholesten-3β, 25-diol 3-sulphate, a nuclear cholesterol metabolite that decreases lipid biosynthesis and increases cholesterol secretion and degradation, is provided as an agent to lower intracellular and serum cholesterol and/or triglycerides, and to prevent or treat lipid accumulation-associated inflammation and conditions associated with such inflammation. Methods which involve the use of this sulfated oxysterol to treat conditions associated with high cholesterol and/or high triglycerides and/or inflammation (e.g. hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases, atherosclerosis, etc.) are also provided.

Compositions comprising 5-cholesten-3,25-diol, 3-sulfate (25HC3S) or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and at least one cyclic oligosaccharide, e.g., a cyclodextrin (CD), are provided. The compositions may be used to prevent and/or treat a variety of diseases and conditions, including organ failure (e.g. acute liver failure), high cholesterol/high lipids, and various inflammatory diseases and conditions.

The present invention relates to an improved process of manufacturing sterile topical ophthalmic aqueous nanosuspensions of nanocrystals of fluticasone propionate Form A. The sterile topical ophthalmic nanosuspensions are useful in the treatment of eye inflammation conditions such as blepharitis, posterior blepharitis, Meibomian gland dysfunction and dry eye through topical administration of said nanosuspensions to eyelids, eyelashes and eyelid margin.

A process of manufacturing sterile topical ophthalmic aqueous nanosuspensions of nanocrystals of fluticasone propionate Form A. The sterile topical ophthalmic nanosuspensions may be used in the treatment of eye inflammation conditions such as blepharitis, posterior blepharitis, Meibomian gland dysfunction and dry eye through topical administration of said nanosuspensions to eyelids, eyelashes and eyelid margin.

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.

Methods of making cholic acid derivatives, particularly ursodeoxycholic acid, tauroursodeoxycholic acid, 7-ketolithocholic acid, obeticholic acid, their carboxylate salts and carboxylate esters, and starting materials and intermediates therefor.