EP0978275A1 — Solid pharmaceutical dosage form with controlled drug release

USPTO Abstract

The invention relates to a pharmaceutical dosage form comprising a core containing at least part of an active ingredient, and a functional film coating ensuring controlled onset of the release of the active ingredient contained in the core. The film coating comprises at least one excipient ensuring gastro-resistance and one substance creating an acidic pH in the functional film coating. The invention allows a lag time between the administration of the pharmaceutical dosage form and the beginning of the release of the drug, said lag time being adjustable to a predefined duration by appropriate formulation. As an example of therapeutic application, the invention provides a dosage form that may release its active ingredient a few hours after administration and is of great interest for reducing some nocturnal occurring diseases, such as ischemic heart attack, asthma or arthritis.