GB1182124A — Process for the production of Pharmaceutical and like Beadlets

USPTO Abstract

1,182,124. Pharmaceutical &c. beadlets. W. E. GAUNT. 5 May, 1967, No. 20981/67. Headings A5B and A5E. Small, spherical beads of substantially identical size and composition and containing at least one pharmaceutically or biochemically active ingredient are prepared by allowing drops of a solvent or solvent mixture to fall on a bed of finely divided polymer which is readily soluble in the solvent. The spherical beads formed are screened out of the bed subsequently and dried. Specified polymers are: cellulose acetate phthalate, carboxy polymethylene and carboxylated polyvinyl acetate co-polymers. The active compound, which may be present in the solvent or the polymer bed, may be a medicament such as a tranquilizer, antihistamine, steroid, anorectic, antibiotic, decongestant, antitussive, antichlorinergic, antibacterial or antifungal agent many examples of which are specified. Alternatively, it may be an agricultural chemical such as a herbicide e.g. phenyl mercuric acetate. The polymer bed may also contain a "cosubstance" which becomes entrapped in the beads and modifies their properties (particularly rate of release of the active substance). The "cosubstances" used are film-forming aluminium salts. When the active ingredient forms such an aluminium salt, this salt is used; when it is not, aluminium aspirin is used. Other aluminium salts mentioned are aluminium abietate, naphthenate and octoate.