Claims for Patent: 4,259,315

Summary for Patent: 4,259,315

Title:	Controlled release potassium dosage form
Abstract:	Pharmaceutical compositions for treating potassium deficiency in monogastric animals comprising gelatin capsules containing mixture comprised of controlled release form of microencapsulated potassium salt and hydrophilic surfactant are disclosed.
Inventor(s):	Lippmann; Irwin (Richmond, VA), Popli; Shankar D. (Richmond, VA), Miller; Larry G. (Richmond, VA), Bell; Louis G. (Richmond, VA)
Assignee:	A. H. Robins Company, Inc. (Richmond, VA)
Application Number:	06/159,335
Patent Claims:	1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a gelatin capsule containing therein a mixture comprising microencapsulated potassium salt and hydrophilic surfactant external to said microencapsulated salt. 2. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a gelatin capsule containing therein a mixture of microcapsules having an outer layer of polymeric material and core of potassium salt and hydrophilic surfactant externaul to said microcapsules. 3. The composition as defined in claim 2 where in the surfactant has a HLB number in excess of 10 and is present in an amount of from about 0.05 to 5.0 percent by weight. 4. The composition as defined in claim 3 wherein the polymeric material is ethyl cellulose and the potassium salt is potassium chloride. 5. A pharmaceutical composition for treating potassium deficiency in monogastric animals comprising a gelatin capsule containing therein a mixture comprising controlled-released microencapsulated potassium salt and hydrophilic surfactant external to said microencapsulated salt, said microencapsulated salt containing 3 to 50 weight percent polymeric material and said hydrophilic surfactant being present in an amount within the range of 0.05 to 5.0 weight percent based on the weight of said microencapsulated salt sufficient to increase flowability of said microencapsulated salt in a partially obstructed alimentary tract of a monogastric animal. 6. A pharmaceutical composition of claim 5 wherein the surfactant is in an amount of 0.05 to 1.0 weight percent based on the weight of the microencapsulated salt. 7. A method for the treatment of potassium deficiency or prevention of potassium depletion in a human which comprises administering to said human an effective amount of potassium, said potassium being administered in the form of a non-toxic pharmaceutical comprising a gelatin capsule containing a mixture comprising microencapsulated potassium salt and hydrophilic surfactant external to said microencapsulated salt. 8. A method for the treatment of potassium depletion or prevention of potassium depletion in a human which comprises administering to said human an effective amount of potassium, said potassium being administered in the form of a non-toxic pharmaceutical composition comprising a gelatin capsule containing a mixture comprising microcapsules having an outer layer of ethyl cellulose and a core of potassium chloride and a hydrophilic surfactant external to said microcapsules. 9. The method as defined in claim 6 wherein the surfactant has a HLB number in excess of 10 and is present in the composition in an amount of from about 0.05 to 5.0 percent by weight. 10. The method as defined in claim 7 wherein the polymeric material is ethyl cellulose and the potassium salt is potassium chloride.