Pharmaceutical formulation

Abstract

The present invention concerns an extended release formulation having an accelerating erosion and/or dissolution rate of the surface of the formulation. The formulation comprises a drug having low solubility in water dispersed or dissolved in at least one erodable hydrophilic polymeric matrix.

1 . An extended release formulation characterised by accelerating erosion and/or dissolution rate of the surface of the formulation said formulation comprising a drug having low solubility in water dispersed or dissolved in at least one erodable hydrophilic polymeric matrix.  
     
     
         2 . The formulation according to  claim 1 , wherein the matrix former is hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, guar gum or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The formulation according to any one of the claims  1 - 2 , wherein the matrix former is a mixture of 1-10% by weight hydroxypropyl cellulose and 10-20% by weight hydroxyethyl cellulose.  
     
     
         4 . The formulation according to  claim 1  also including an accelerating agent having a solubility of 300-1000 g/l, preferably 500-800 g/l.  
     
     
         5 . The formulation according to any one of the  claims 1  to  4 , wherein the accelerating agent constitutes 1-50% by weight, preferably 20-30% by weight of the formulation.  
     
     
         6 . The formulation according to any one of the claims  1 - 5 , wherein the accelerating agent is a mono or di-saccharide.  
     
     
         7 . The formulation according to  claim 6 , wherein the accelerating agent is selected from the group consisting of lactose, saccharose, glucose, fructose.  
     
     
         8 . The formulation according to any one of the claims  1 - 6 , wherein also including a plasticiser which is a pharmaceutically acceptable non volatile agent capable of lowering the glass transition of the matrix former.  
     
     
         9 . The formulation according to  claim 8 , wherein the plasticiser is polyethylene glycol.  
     
     
         10 . The formulation according to any one of the claims  1 - 8 , wherein the pharmaceutically active component is dicofenac sodium, glipizide, nifedipine, cisapride maleate.