Claims for Patent: 6,699,503

Summary for Patent: 6,699,503

Title:	Hydrogel-forming sustained-release preparation
Abstract:	The invention provides a hydrogen-type sustained-release preparation comprising (1) at least one drug, (2) an additive which insures a penetration of water into the core of the preparation and (3) a hydrogen-forming polymer, wherein said preparation is capable of undergoing substantially complete gelation during its stay in the upper digestive tract such as stomach and small intestine and is capable of releasing the drug in the lower digestive tract including colon. By the preparation of the invention, the drug is efficiently released and absorbed even in the colon so that a steady and sustained release effect can be achieved.
Inventor(s):	Sako; Kazuhiro (Shizuoka, JP), Nakashima; Hiroshi (Shizuoka, JP), Sawada; Toyohiro (Shizuoka, JP), Okada; Akira (Shizuoka, JP), Fukui; Muneo (Shizuoka, JP)
Assignee:	Yamanuchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, JP)
Application Number:	09/702,880
Patent Claims:	1. A hydrogel-forming sustained-release oral preparation having a gelation index of 70% or more, which comprises: (1) a drug, wherein the amount of said drug is not more than 85% by weight based on the total preparation, (2) a polyethylene glycol which has a solubility such that the volume of water required for dissolving 1 gram of said polyethylene glycol is not more than 5 ml, and wherein the amount of said polyethylene glycol is from 5 to 80% by weight based on the total preparation, and (3) a hydrogel-forming polymer having a viscosity of not less than 1000 cps as measured at 1% concentration in water at 25.degree. C., wherein the amount of said hydrogel-forming polymer is from 10 to 95% by weight based on the total preparation and not less than 70 mg per one preparation. 2. A hydrogel-forming sustained-release oral preparation having a gelation index of 70% or more, which comprises: (1) a drug, wherein the amount of said drug is not more than 85% by weight based on the total preparation, (2) a polyethylene glycol which has a solubility such that the volume of water required for dissolving 1 gram of said polyethylene glycol is not more than 5 ml, and wherein the amount of said polyethylene glycol is from 5 to 80% by weight based on the total preparation, and (3) a polyethylene oxide having a viscosity of not less than 1000 cps as measured at 1% concentration in water at 25.degree. C., wherein the amount of said polyethylene oxide is from 10 to 95% by weight based on the total preparation and not less than 70 mg per one preparation.