Sustained release compositions using wax-like materials

Abstract

Sustained release spherical or non-spherical pellets comprising (a) an active ingredient (b) a wax-like agent, and (c) a spheronizing agent are provided. Oral dosage forms comprising said pellets and methods for preparing and using such pellets and dosage forms are also provided.

1 . A composition comprising:
 (a) an active ingredient, which is an insect growth regulator (IGR);   (b) a wax-like agent; and   (c) a spheronizing agent, wherein the composition is in the form of pellets.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the IGR is a member selected from the group consisting of methoprene, kinoprene, hydroprene, diflubenzuron, and pyriproxifen. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the IGR is methoprene. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the IGR is diflubenzuron. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the IGR is pyriproxifen. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , comprising:
 (a) from about 0.1% to about 90% of the active ingredient;   (b) from about 5% to about 40% of the wax-like agent; and   (c) from about 5% to about 40% of the spheronizing agent.   
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the active ingredient is present in an amount of about 0.1% to about 5%. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , comprising:
 (a) from about 0.1% to about 5% of methoprene;   (b) from about 5% to about 30% of hydrogenated vegetable oil;   (c) from about 5% to about 30% of microcrystalline cellulose; and from about 1% to about 10% pregelatinized starch.   
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the pellets are coated. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the wax-like agent is selected from the group consisting of fatty alcohols, saturated and unsaturated fatty acid esters, saturated and unsaturated fatty acid glycerides, hydrogenated fats, hydrogenated vegetable oil, and cholesterol. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the wax-like agent is hydrogenated vegetable oil. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the spheronizing agent is microcrystalline cellulose. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an inactive ingredient which is a member selected from the group consisting of a binder, an antioxidant, an a colorant. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more inactive ingredients are present at the total concentration from about 0.01% to about 5.0% based on the pellet weight. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the average diameter of the spherical pellets are about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm. 
     
     
         16 . A method for treating or preventing a pest infestation, comprising contacting a host with a composition comprising an effective amount of an insect growth regulator (IGR), a wax-like agent; and a spheronizing agent, wherein the composition is in the form of pellets. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the IGR is a member selected from the group consisting of methoprene, kinoprene, hydroprene, diflubenzuron, and pyriproxifen. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the IGR is methoprene. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the IGR is diflubenzuron. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the IGR is pyriproxifen.