Modified release preparations containing oxcarbazepine and derivatives thereof

Abstract

Controlled-release preparations of oxcarbazepine and derivatives thereof for once-a-day administration are disclosed. The inventive compositions comprise solubility- and/or release enhancing agents to provide tailored drug release profiles, preferably sigmoidal release profiles. Methods of treatment comprising the inventive compositions are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating seizures comprising administering once a day to a human subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a therapeutically effective amount of oxcarbazepine and at least one ionic surfactant. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ionic surfactant is at least one selected from the group consisting of sodium lauryl sulfate and docusate sodium. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of oxcarbazepine in the once a day pharmaceutical formulation is about 600 mg. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of oxcarbazepine in the once a day pharmaceutical formulation is about 60% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of the ionic surfactant is about 1 to about 50% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical formulation is prepared by incorporating the ionic surfactant prior to granulating followed by granulating to form granules. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein granules are formed into pellets or tablets.