Claims for Patent: 6,555,133

Summary for Patent: 6,555,133

Title:	Formulation of fast-dissolving efavirenz capsules or tablets using super-disintegrants
Abstract:	The present invention provides improved oral dosage form formulations of efavirenz that are useful in the inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the prevention or treatment of infection by HIV, and in the treatment of the resulting acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). In particular, the present invention relates to compressed tablets or capsules comprising efavirenz that contain one or more disintegrants that enhance the dissolution rate of the efavirenz in the gastrointestinal tract thereby improving the rate and extent of absorption of efavirenz in the body. The present invention also relates to the process of making such tablets or capsules.
Inventor(s):	Makooi-Morehead; William T. (Wallingford, PA), Buehler; John D. (Ambler, PA), Landmann; Brian R. (Hoboken, NJ)
Assignee:	Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (Princeton, NJ)
Application Number:	09/824,071
Patent Claims:	1. A method for treating infection by HIV comprising administering to a patient, in need of such treatment, a capsule or a compressed tablet pharmaceutical dosage form comprising a therapeutically effective amount of efavirenz and greater than about 10% by weight of a disintegrant relative to the total dry weight of the pharmaceutical dosage form. 2. A method for treating infection by HIV according to claim 1, wherein at least one disintegrant is selected from the group consisting of modified starches, croscarmellose sodium, carboxymethylcellulose calcium and crospovidone. 3. A method for treating infection by HIV according to claim 2, wherein the disintegrant is selected from one or more modified starches. 4. A method for treating infection by HIV according to claim 3, wherein the modified starch is sodium starch glycolate. 5. A method for treating infection by HIV according to claim 3 wherein the capsule or compressed tablet pharmaceutical dosage form is prepared using a wet granulation step containing efavirenz and one or more modified starches, wherein the modified starch is present in the wet granulation step in an amount of from about 10% to about 75% by weight relative to the total dry weight of the components of the wet granulation step. 6. A method for treating infection by HIV according to claim 3 wherein the modified starch is present in the wet granulation step of the manufacturing process in an amount of from about 20% to about 55% by weight relative to total dry weight of the components of the wet granulation step. 7. A method for treating infection by HIV according to claim 1 wherein the efavirenz is present in the pharmaceutical dosage form in an amount of from about 5 to about 1000 mg. 8. A method for treating infection by HIV according to claim 1 wherein the efavirenz is present in the pharmaceutical dosage form in an amount of from about 5 to about 500 mg. 9. A method for treating infection by HIV according to claim 1 wherein the efavirenz is present in the pharmaceutical dosage form in an amount of from 500 to about 1000 mg. 10. A method for treating infection by HIV according to claim 1 wherein the efavirenz is present in the pharmaceutical dosage form in an amount of from about 25 to about 350 mg. 11. A method for treating infection by HIV according to claim 1 wherein the efavirenz is present in the pharmaceutical dosage form in an amount of from about 50 to about 200 mg. 12. A method for treating infection by HIV according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the wet granulation step is carried out in the presence of sodium lauryl sulfate. 13. A method for treating infection by HIV according to claim 12, wherein the sodium lauryl sulfate is present in an amount of about 0.1% to about 5% by weight relative to total dry weight of the components of the wet granulation step. 14. A method for treating infection by HIV according to claim 1, wherein the efavirenz is present in the pharmaceutical dosage form in an amount of from about 5 to about 800 mg. 15. A method for treating infection by HIV comprising administering to a patient, in need of such treatment, a pharmaceutical dosage form comprising: (a) a therapeutically effective amount of efavirenz; (b) a surfactant; (c) a disintegrant; (d) a binder; (e) a diluent; (f) a glidant; and (g) optionally additional pharmaceutically acceptable excipients; wherein at least one disintegrant is selected from the group consisting of modified starches, croscarmellose sodium, carboxymethylcellulose calcium and crospovidone and such disintegrant is present in an amount greater than about 10% by weight of the total dry weight of the capsule contents or the compressed tablet.