Orally transformable tablets

Abstract

The present invention features a tablet including one or more pharmaceutically active agent(s), one or more thickeners, and one or more binder(s), wherein the tablet includes at least 200 mg of the pharmaceutically active agent(s) and the tablet has been fused with the binder(s) such that the tablet (i) has a water permeation time of less than 60 seconds and (ii) has an in vitro disintegration time of greater than 60 seconds.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tablet comprising one or more pharmaceutically active agent(s), one or more thickeners, and one or more binder(s), wherein said tablet comprises at least 200 mg of said pharmaceutically active agent(s) and said tablet has been fused with said binder(s) such that said tablet (i) has a water permeation time of less than 60 seconds and (ii) has an in vitro disintegration time of greater than 60 seconds. 
     
     
         2 . The tablet of  claim 1 , wherein said tablet has a water permeation time of less than 30 seconds. 
     
     
         3 . The tablet of  claim 1 , wherein said tablet has an in vitro disintegration time of greater than 180 seconds. 
     
     
         4 . The tablet of  claim 1 , wherein said tablet comprises at least 5%, by weight, of said binder(s). 
     
     
         5 . The tablet of  claim 1 , wherein said binder(s) is a RF-meltable binder having a melting point of from about 40° C. to about 140° C. 
     
     
         6 . The tablet of  claim 1 , wherein said tablet comprises the binder polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         7 . The tablet of  claim 1 , wherein said binder is water-activating binding material. 
     
     
         8 . The tablet of  claim 1 , wherein said tablet comprises at least 50%, by weight, of said pharmaceutically active agent(s). 
     
     
         9 . The tablet of  claim 1 , wherein said tablet comprises a pharmaceutically active agent is selected from ibuprofen, acetaminophen, antacids, a vitamin, metformin, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The tablet of  claim 1 , wherein said tablet comprises the thickener polyethylene oxide. 
     
     
         11 . The tablet of  claim 1 , wherein said tablet comprises less than ten percent, by weight, of carbohydrates. 
     
     
         12 . A method of administering one or more pharmaceutically active agent(s), said method comprising placing a solid tablet comprising said pharmaceutically active agent(s) into the mouth followed by swallowing a liquid, wherein said tablet comprises at least 200 mg of said pharmaceutically active agent(s) and said tablet (i) has a water permeation time of less than 60 seconds and (ii) has an in vitro disintegration time of greater than 60 seconds. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said tablet comprises at least 50%, by weight, of said pharmaceutically active agent(s). 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said tablet comprises at least 325 mg of the pharmaceutically active agent acetaminophen. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said tablet further comprises a thickener. 
     
     
         16 . A process for making a tablet comprising one or more pharmaceutically active agent(s), one or more thickeners, and one or more binder(s), said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) forming a tablet shape a powder blend comprising said pharmaceutically active agent(s) and a binder; and   (b) applying energy to said tablet shape for a sufficient period of time to activate said binder(s) within said tablet shape to fuse said tablet shape into said tablet, such that said tablet (i) has a water permeation time of less than 60 seconds and (ii) has an in vitro disintegration time of greater than 60 seconds.   
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 16 , wherein said binder is a meltable material having a melting point of from about 40° C. to about 140° C. and said tablet shape is exposed to said energy for a sufficient period of time to melt or soften said meltable material. 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 16 , wherein said binder is an RF-meltable binder and said tablet shape is exposed to RF energy for a sufficient period of time to melt or soften said meltable material. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 16 , wherein said binder is water-activating binding material, said powder blend further comprises a water-containing material, and said tablet shape is exposed to said energy for a sufficient period of time to heat the water-containing material above its dehydration temperature. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 16 , wherein said powder blend is compressed in a die platen and said energy is applied to said tablet shape within said die platen. 
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 16 , wherein said powder blend comprises particles comprising said pharmaceutically active agent wherein said particle is coated with said binder. 
     
     
         22 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the surface of said tablet is further exposed to infrared energy wherein the majority of the wavelength of said infrared energy from about 0.5 to about 5 micrometers.