PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION FOR COUNTERACTING REPRODUCTION AND SPREAD OF INFLUENZA VIRUSES

Abstract

A pharmaceutical composition that is orally applied and that counteracts reproduction and the spread of influenza viruses, in particular influenza viruses of the so-called covid species and their mutations, comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and at least a first virucidal component designed to unfold antiviral activity when activated, which first virucidal component is sodium chlorite that is dissolved in saliva when the pharmaceutical composition has been applied to a person.

Claims

1. A pharmaceutical composition that is orally applied and that counteracts reproduction and the spread of influenza viruses, comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and at least a first virucidal component designed to unfold antiviral activity when activated, which first virucidal component is sodium chlorite that is dissolved in saliva when the pharmaceutical composition has been applied to a person.

2. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, comprising at least one acidic activator that is designed to activate the first virucidal component when the pharmaceutical composition has been applied to a person.

3. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein the at least one acidic activator is an citric acid or a malic acid or an ascorbic acid or a mixture of at least two components thereof.

4. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is a drop, a candy, a chewing gum, or the like, which is designed to release the first virucidal component or the first virucidal component and the acidic activator when being dissolved in the saliva or when being chewed.

5. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein the first virucidal component is provided in the carrier for dissolving in the saliva with an amount suitable for gaining chlorine dioxide in the saliva with a concentration in the range of 2 ppm to 50 ppm.

6. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein the first virucidal component and the acidic activator are provided in the carrier for dissolving in the saliva with an amount suitable for gaining chlorine dioxide in the saliva with a concentration in the range of 2 ppm to 50 ppm.

7. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein a) the first virucidal component is unevenly distributed or evenly distributed within the carrier; or b) wherein the at least one acidic activator is unevenly distributed or evenly distributed within the carrier.

8. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein the first virucidal component is unevenly distributed or evenly distributed within the carrier and the at least one acidic activator is unevenly distributed or evenly distributed within the carrier.

9. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein the first virucidal component is contained in the carrier in the form of a powder or in the form of micro pellets.

10. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein the acidic activator is contained in the carrier in the form of a powder or micro pellets or wherein the acidic activator is contained in the carrier dissolved in a liquid.

11. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein at least a second virucidal component is provided in the carrier.

12. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is covered by a shell with a specific flavour.

Description

[0057] The invention is further described with reference to the drawings, which show in

[0058] FIG. 1 a first embodiment of an inventive pharmaceutical composition 1;

[0059] FIG. 2 a second embodiment of an inventive pharmaceutical composition 1; and

[0060] FIG. 3 a third embodiment of an inventive pharmaceutical composition 1.

[0061] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an inventive pharmaceutical composition 1, which comprises a carrier 10, e.g., made of candy material or chewing gum material. The carrier 10 is preferably encapsulated by a relatively thin shell 19 which provides a flavour preferred by the consumer.

[0062] The carrier 10 contains a virucidal component 11, which is evenly distribute within the carrier 10. Hence, while consuming the pharmaceutical composition 1, the slightly acidic saliva dissolves carrier 10 and the released virucidal component 11, i.e., the sodium chlorite. By this process chlorine dioxide is split off from the sodium chlorite and the acidic level in the saliva is increased up to the level within the predetermined range.

[0063] FIG. 2 shows the pharmaceutical composition 1 with a carrier 10 that contains a virucidal component 11 and one acidic activator 12 or more different acidic activators 12, which are located in different regions of the carrier 10. The regions with the virucidal component 11 and the acidic activator 12 may also overlap one another partially or completely. The at least one acidic activator 12 is preferably located in decentralised regions, while the virucidal component 11 is preferably located in a central region. Hence, while consuming the pharmaceutical composition 1, the acidic level in the saliva can build up by releasing the acidic activator 12 before the virucidal component 11 is set free. In this way the decomposition of the later dissolved virucidal component 11, i.e., of the sodium chlorite, to release chlorine dioxide is accelerated.

[0064] The earlier release of the acidic activator 12 has the further advantage that the taste of the pharmaceutical composition 1 will be dominated by the taste of the acidic activator 12, which may be a citric acid or a malic acid or an ascorbic acid or a mixture of at least two components thereof.

[0065] FIG. 3 shows the pharmaceutical composition 1 of FIG. 1 in a further preferred embodiment, in which the virucidal component 11 and the at least one acidic activator 12 are distributed, preferably evenly, within the carrier 10. In this embodiment, the virucidal component 11 and the at least one acidic activator 12 are in close contact, so that chlorine dioxide is released in minute quantities without delay.

[0066] Hence, by the application of the inventive pharmaceutical composition chlorine dioxide is released in small quantities without causing harm or disturbing distaste to the individual, while efficiently deactivating or neutralising influenza viruses.