SUSTAINED RELEASE THEOPHYLLINE

Abstract: Theophylline is provided in a sustained release formulation which comprises a plurality of micropellets of theophylline which is coated over a seed in a first coat with polyvinylpyrrolidone and a second coat of cellulose derivatives. The sustained release theophylline form is sprinkled into the normal food of a patient, particularly a child or elderly patient.

Description: SUSTAINED RELEASE THEOPHYLLINE A zero order release theophylline product, THEO-DUR, has received widespread acceptance in the marketplace and among the medical profession as a broncho-dilator. It is desired to provide a sustained release broncho-dilator which is in a form more suitable for administration to children and the elderly. In accordance with the present invention there are provided micropellets of sustained release theophylline which are designed for administration to children .or the elderly who may have difficulty swallowing a relatively large table. The micropellets are.provided in a capsule as the dosage unit form, each capsule containing about 1000 microparticles or less to yield the total desired dosage. For example, in one embodiment, a 100 mg dosage of theophylline is provided with 845 microparticles. The microparticles are provided by coating theo¬ phylline in micronized form onto a sugar seed having 60/80 mesh with polyvinylpryrrolidone having a molecular weight of from about 30,000 to about 50,000, with a molecular weight of about 40,000 being a preferred embodiment ("Kollidon 30") . A sustained release coating is provided of cellulose derivatives. In a preferred embodiment a mixture of ethylcellulose (Dow, "Ethoσel N-10") and hydroxypropylcellulose (Hercules, "Klueck LF") is used. The average diameter of each particle is roughly about 0.6mm. The following example illustrates the invention: EXAMPLE 3.2 kg polyvinylpyrrolidone (raw 40,000, Kollidon 30) is dissolved in 32 1 isopropanol. Therein there is dis¬ persed 12.8 kg of micronized theophylline. Into a Glatt column (six inch, Glatt CPCG) there is charged 4.0 kg sugar, 60/80 mesh. AFter the air suspension system is in operation with the sugar, the dispersed theophylline is charged into the Glatt column with the inlet air having a temperature of 60°C and the spray pressure at 4 bars, and the spray rate being 100 ml/min. After completion of the above " procedure, the Glatt column is stopped, and the product reserved as "Theo¬ phylline pellets, Active I". A second batch of 3.2 kg polyvinylpyrrolidone (mw 40,000, Kollidon 30) is dissolved into 32.0 1 isopro- panol, and dispersed into the resultant mixture is 12.8 kg micronized theophylline. 4.0 kg of Theophylline pellets, Active I are then charged into the same Glatt column under the same conditions of temperature, pressure and rate. The second batch having the theophylline dispersed therein is then charged into the Glatt column to further build up the coating. The Glatt column is emptied and the product labelled "Theophylline pettets, Active II". A mixture of 13.2 1 chloroform and 3.3 1 methanol is prepared, into which are dispersed 992.0 g ethylcellulose (Ethocel N-10, Dow) and 329.0 g hydroxypropyl cellulose (Hercules, Klucel LF) / Into the Glatt column is charged 19.0 kg of Theophylline pellets, Active II, which are then coated with the coating mixture under conditions of 30°C, spray pressure 3 bars and spray rate 100 ml/min. The resultant coated pellets are small white micropellets which to make up a dosage unit of 100 mg used 845 of such micropellets which are placed into capsules for con¬ venience. For a child or an elderly patient, the micro¬ particles are typically sprinkled into food which is then taken as part of a meal, to provide the sustained theo¬ phylline effect. c... ~ ι

Claims: •3- HAT IS CLAIMED IS; 1. A sustained, release dosage formulation of theo¬ phylline which comprises a container having therein a plurality of micropellets, the sum of such micropellets in said container forming a dosage unit of theophylline, each of siad micropellets being based upon a seed having coated thereon a mixture of theophylline and polyvinylpyrrolidone, the thus coated seed having further coated thereon a mixture of cellulose derivatives. 2. A sustained release dosage formulation of claim 1 wherein said cellulose derivative is selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl cellulose and ethyl cellulose. 3. A sustained release dosage formulation of claim 2 wherein said cellulose derivative is a mixture of hydroxypropylcellulose and ethyl cellulose. 4. A sustained release dosage formulation of claim 1 wherein said polyvinylpyrrolidone has a molecular weight of about 40,000. 5. A sustained release dosage formulation of claim 1 wherein said seed is sugar having a mesh of 60/80.

Inventors: HSIAO CHIIN HSIUNG, HSIAO, CHIIN, HSIUNG
Applicants: KEY PHARMA, KEY PHARMACEUTICALS, INCORPORATED
Application year: 1982
Main classification: A61K9
IPC codes: A61K9, A61K31