Patent · US Expired

Modified release formulations containing a hypnotic agent

US6638535B2 · kind B2 · utility

32Cited by
10References
38Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 13, 2001
Grant dateOct 28, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 23, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61K31/519
  • WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Hypnotic pharmaceutical compositions are made from pellets and exhibit a modified release. Zolpidem or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is a typical hypnotic. The pellets are preferably spherical and exhibit a dissolution profile that includes 60% of the hypnotic agent being release from the pellet not earlier than 5 minutes from the start of a specified in vitro dissolution test. Although the modified release profile can include 50% of the hypnotic agent being released not earlier than 15 minutes after the start of the dissolution test, the pellet preferably does not contain a release rate controlling excipient or coating. Instead, microcrystalline cellulose and the active constitute the majority of the pellet, e.g. 90% or more. Spherical pellets are also made by a convenient method that is applicable to any pharmaceutically active agent.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.