US Patent 8449908 Transdermal delivery of cannabidiol

The present invention overcomes the problems associated with existing drug delivery systems by delivering cannabinoids transdermally. Preferably, the cannabinoids are delivered via an occlusive body (i.e., a patch) to alleviate harmful side effects and avoid gastrointestinal (first-pass) metabolism of the drug by the patient. A first aspect of the invention provides a method for relieving symptoms associated with illness or associated with the treatment of illness in a mammalian subject, comprising the steps of selecting at least one cannabinoid from the group consisting of cannabinol, cannabidiol, nabilone, levonantradol, (−)-HU-210, (+)-HU-210, 11-hydroxy-Δ9-THC, Δ8-THC-11-oic acid, CP 55,940, and R(+)-WIN 55,212-2, selecting at least one permeation enhancer from the group consisting of propylene glycol monolaurate, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, an oleoyl macrogolglyceride, a caprylocaproyl macrogolglyceride, and an oleyl alcohol, and delivering the selected cannabinoid and permeation enhancer transdermally to treat an illness.