Abstract:
Drugs are formulated as unit oral dosage forms by incorporating them into polymeric matrices comprised of hydrophilic polymers that swell upon imbibition of water to a size that is large enough to promote retention of the dosage form in the stomach during the fed mode. The oral formulation is designed for gastric retention and controlled delivery of an incorporated drug into the gastric cavity, and thus administered, the drug is released from the matrix into the gastric fluid by solution diffusion. The swollen polymeric matrix, having achieved sufficient size, remains in the gastric cavity for several hours if administered while the patient is in the fed mode, and remains intact long enough for substantially all of the drug to be released before substantial dissolution of the matrix occurs. The swelling matrix lowers the accessibility of the gastric fluid to the drug and thereby reduces the drug release rate. This process, together with diffusion retardation by selection of specific polymers, polymer molecular weights, and other variables, results in a sustained and controlled delivery rate of the drug to the gastric cavity.
Abstract:
Sustained release oral drug dosage forms that comprise a tablet or capsule containing a plurality of particles of a solid-state drug dispersed in alkyl cellulose such as hydroxyethylcellulose or hydroxypropylcellulose. Once ingested the tablet or capsule disintegrates to disperse the particles into the stomach where they imbibe water to cause them to swell and also to become slippery, thus enhancing their retention in the stomach. Imbibed water from the gastric fluid dissolves the drug entrapped in the particles and the resulting solution diffuses from the dispersed particles, assuring that no solid drug, which with some drugs is more irritating, contacts the mucosal tissue. A number of embodiments of the dosage form utilizing different drugs are exemplified and the benefits are explained. Aspirin is one example.
Abstract:
An ophthalmological bioerodible dosage form for ophthalmic drugs is disclosed. The dosage form comprises particles of 10 to 300 microns made of drug dispersed within a drug release rate controlling material which bioerodes in the environment of the eye.
Abstract:
An ophthalmological bioerodible dosage form for ophthalmic drugs is disclosed. The dosage form comprises particles 10 to 300 microns made of drug dispersed within a drug release rate controlling material which bioerodes in the environment of the eye.
Abstract:
Controlled release oral dosage forms are provided for the continuous, sustained administration of a pharmacologically active agent to the upper gastrointestinal tract of a patient in whom the fed mode as been induced. The majority of the agent is delivered, on an extended release basis, to the stomach, duodenum and upper regions of the small intestine, with drug delivery in the lower gastrointestinal tract and colon substantially restricted. The dosage form comprises a matrix of a biocompatible, hydrophilic, erodible polymer with an active agent incorporated therein, wherein the polymer is one that both swells in the presence of water and gradually erodes over a time period of hours, with swelling and erosion commencing upon contact with gastric fluid, and drug release rate primarily controlled by erosion rate.
Abstract:
Lowering of intraocular pressure, e.g. in the treatment of glaucoma is carried out by administering a phosphodiesterase inhibitor to a patient. Particular ophthalmic pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed for topical application to the eye.
Abstract:
Lowering of intraocular pressure, e.g. in the treatment of glaucoma is carried out by administering a phosphodiesterase inhibitor to a patient. Particular ophthalmic pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed for topical application to the eye.
Abstract:
An ophthalmic bioerodible dosage form for ophthalmic drugs is disclosed. The dosage form comprises particles of 10 to 300 microns made of drug dispersed within a drug release rate controlling material which bioerodes in the environment of the eye.
Abstract:
Drugs intended for absorption in the stomach or upper intestinal tract are administered in oral drug delivery systems in conjunction with any of various substances that have been discovered to function as potent agents for inducing the fed mode. By inducing the onset of the fed mode, these agents cause the stomach to prolong its retention of the drug delivery system, which is either large enough to be retained in the stomach during the fed mode or swells or expands to such a size upon ingestion. The fed mode inducing agents include the following compounds and their salts: glycine and glycylglycine, xylitol and related sugar alcohols, sodium and other metal docusates, β-casomorphins, α-lipoic acid and similarly structured acids, 2,2-diaryl-4-(4′-aryl-4′-hydroxypipendino)butyramides, arginine, Trp-Trp, alkylpyridinium halides, dihydroxybenzoic acids, and potent sweeteners such as aspartame, aspartic acid, acesulfame, and stevioside.