In situ, liquid-activated film coated tablets and a process for making the same

Abstract

Tablets and other objects are film coated by including in the tablet a film-forming polymer that is activated upon contact with an activating amount of liquid. The film-forming polymer, e.g., a cellulosic ether, is homogeneously mixed with the other ingredients of the tablet, shaped into any desirable form, loaded into a conventional coating apparatus, and sprayed or foamed with an activating amount of fluid, e.g., water, alcohol, etc., and dried. This coating process eliminates potential problems such as spray nozzle clogging, inappropriate coating fluid viscosity, and the inability to properly atomize the coating fluid. This coating process does not impart any appreciable weight or thickness gain to the tablet.

1 . A product comprising a core and a film coating, the core comprising an unactivated, water-soluble, film-forming polymer and the film coating comprising an activated, water-soluble, film-forming polymer, the core and film coating each having a chemical composition that is essentially the same as the other. 
     
     
         2 . The product of  claim 1  further comprising an active ingredient. 
     
     
         3 . The product of  claim 2  in a dosage form. 
     
     
         4 . The product of  claim 3  in the shape of a tablet. 
     
     
         5 . The product of  claim 1  in the form of a cereal food shape. 
     
     
         6 . The product of  claim 1  in the form of a confectionery item. 
     
     
         7 . The product of  claim 1  in which the water-soluble, film-forming polymer is one or more ethylene imine, vinyl alcohol, ethylene sulfonic acid, alkyl glycols, polyalkylene oxides, polysaccharides and gelatins. 
     
     
         8 . The product of  claim 1  in which the water-soluble polymer is one or more of a polysaccharide, homo- or copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone, and a polyalkylene oxide. 
     
     
         9 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The product of  claim 1  wherein the water-soluble, film-forming polymer has a weight average molecular weight of at least 10,000. 
     
     
         19 . The product of  claim 18  wherein the water-soluble, film-forming polymer has a weight average molecular weight of at least 15,000. 
     
     
         20 . The product of  claim 1  wherein the water-soluble, film-forming polymer is a cellulose ester or cellulose ether. 
     
     
         21 . The product of  claim 1  wherein the core further comprises an active ingredient. 
     
     
         22 . The product of  claim 20  wherein the active ingredient is a pharmaceutical agent. 
     
     
         23 . The product of  claim 1  wherein the film-forming polymer is homogeneously dispersed throughout the solid. 
     
     
         24 . The product of  claim 1  wherein the activated, water-soluble, film-forming polymer in the film coating has been activated with water or a blend of water and organic solvent.