United States Patent:  6,103,263

Assignee:  Andrx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Fort Lauderdale, FL)

Filed:  November 17, 1994

The invention provides a delayed-pulse controlled release pharmaceutical tablet having: (a) from 20 to 60 wt. % of a low molecular weight hydroxypropyl cellulose having a number average molecular weight of 70,000 to 90,000; (b) from 4 to 10 wt. % of a high molecular weight hydroxypropyl cellulose having a number average molecular weight of 1,100,000 to 1,200,000; (c) a pharmacologically acceptable amount of a medicament; and (d) an inert solid diluent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a delayed-pulse release pharmaceutical tablet which comprises:

(a) from 20 to 60 wt. % of a low molecular weight hydroxypropyl cellulose having a number average molecular weight of 70,000 to 90,000, and preferably 80,000;

(b) from 4 to 10 wt. % of a high molecular weight hydroxypropyl cellulose having a number average molecular weight of 1,100,000 to 1,200,000; and preferably 1,150,000;

(c) a pharmacologically acceptable amount of a medicament; and

(d) a solid inert diluent.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the invention to provide a novel delayed-pulse release dosage formulation which may be employed with many and varied medicaments to provide for the sustained release of a medicament.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a novel delayed-pulse release tablet in which the release rate is controlled by providing varying amounts of two different types of hydroxypropyl cellulose.

Claim 1 of 6 Claims

1. A delayed-pulse controlled release pharmaceutical tablet which comprises:

(a) from 20 to 60 wt. % of a low molecular weight hydroxypropyl cellulose having a number average molecular weight of 70,000 to 90,000;

(b) from 4 to 10 wt. % of a high molecular weight hydroxypropyl cellulose having a number average molecular weight of 1,100,000 to 1,200,000;

(c) a pharmacologically acceptable amount of a medicament; and

(d) an inert solid diluent.

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