Claims for Patent: 6,403,120

Summary for Patent: 6,403,120

Title:	Extended release formulation of venlafaxine hydrochloride
Abstract:	This invention relates to a 24 hour extended release dosage formulation and unit dosage form thereof of venlafaxine hydrochloride, an antidepressant, which provides better control of blood plasma levels than conventional tablet formulations which must be administered two or more times a day and fiber provides a lower incidence of nausea and vomiting than the conventional tablets. More particularly, the invention comprises an extended release formulation of venlafaxine hydrochloride comprising a therapeutically effective amount of venlafaxine hydrochloride in spheroids comprised of venlafaxine hydrochloride, microcrystalline cellulose and, optionally, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose coated with a mixture of ethyl cellulose and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.
Inventor(s):	Sherman; Deborah M. (Plattsburgh, NY), Clark; John C. (Peru, NY), Lamer; John U. (St. Albans, VT), White; Steven A. (Champlain, NY)
Assignee:	Wyeth (Madison, NJ)
Application Number:	09/950,965
Patent Litigation and PTAB cases:	See patent lawsuits and PTAB cases for patent 6,403,120
Patent Claims:	1. A method for providing therapeutic blood plasma concentration of venlafaxine over a twenty four hour period with diminished incidence of nausea and emesis which comprises administering orally to a patient in need thereof, an extended release formulation that provides peak blood plasma levels of venlafaxine of no more than about 150 ng/ml, said formulation containing venlafaxine hydrochloride as the active ingredient. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the extended release formulation is encapsulated. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the extended release formulation comprises venlafaxine hydrochloride in spheroids comprised of venlafaxine hydrochloride, microcrystalline cellulose and optionally, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the spheroids are comprised of from about 6% to about 40% venlafaxine hydrochloride by weight, about 50% to about 94% microcrystalline cellulose by weight, and optionally from about 0.25% to about 1% by weight of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. 5. The method of claim 3 wherein the spheroids are coated with from about 2% to about 12% of total formulation weight of film coating comprised of from about 80% to about 90% by weight of film coating of ethyl cellulose, NF, and from about 10% to about 20% by weight of film coating of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, USP. 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the spheroids are comprised of about 30% to 40% venlafaxine hydrochloride by weight, about 50% to about 70% microcrystalline cellulose, NF, by weight, and, optionally, from about 0.25% to about 1% by weight of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, USP. 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the spheroids are coated with from about 2% to about 12% of total formulation weight of film coating comprised of from about 80% to about 90% by weight of film coating of ethyl cellulose, NF, and from about 10% to about 20% by weight of film coating of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, USP. 8. The method of claim 3 wherein the spheroids are coated with from about 6% to about 30% venlafaxine hydrochloride by weight, about 70.1 % to about 94% microcrystalline cellulose, NF, by weight and, optionally, from about 0.25% to about 1% by weight of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the spheroids are coated with from about 2% to about 12% of total weight of film coating comprised of from about 80% to about 90% by weight of film coating of ethyl cellulose, NF, and from about 10% to about 20% by weight of film coating of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, USP. 10. The method of claim 3 wherein the spheroids are coated with from about 5% to about 25% venlafaxine hydrochloride and from about 95% to about 75% microcrystalline cellulose, with an optional amount of from 0.25% to about 1% by weight of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. 11. The method of claim 3 wherein the spheroids are coated with from about 6% to about 25% venlafaxine hydrochloride and from about 94% to about 75% microcrystalline cellulose, with an optional amount of from 0.25% to about 1% by weight of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the spheroids are comprised of about 6% to about 20% venlafaxine hydrochloride and from about 94% to about 80% microcrystalline cellulose, with an optional amount of from 0.25% to about 1% by weight of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. 13. The method of claim 1 wherein the extended release formulation comprising venlafaxine hydrochloride in a spheroid. 14. The method of claim 1 wherein the extended release formulation comprises venlafaxine hydrochloride in an encapsulated spheroid.