Abstract:
Tablets containing nutritional and therapeutic substances in conjunction with dietrary fibre substances. The tablets can be formulated in two layers which separate the nutritional and therapeutic substances from the fibre.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     I. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is directed to nutritional or therapeutic compositions. Specifically, the invention is concerned with nutritional or therapeutic compositions being administered in conjunction with dietary fibre substances. 
     II. Description of the Prior Art 
     Fibre substances have been used for nutritional purposes for many years. They are commonly found in breads and cereals. Fibre substances have also been provided in a variety of forms (tablets, powder, etc.) as a dietary supplement. 
     A significant problem in the oral delivery of nutritional and therapeutically active agents is the stomach retention time of many active agent for a sufficient period to effect the absorption of the active agent into the body. The stomach retention period is important to obtain the maximum level of absorption of the active agent. If the active agent passes through the stomach too quickly then less and possibly insufficient absorption is obtained and the delivery of the drug is less effective. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a means for extending the stomach retention time of nutritionally or therapeutically active agents. A further object is to maximize the bioavailability of nutritionally or therapeutically active agents. Another object is to deliver the active agent in a form which maximizes the bioavailability of the active agent. A final object is to provide a means for separating the fibre component and the active agent component. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is directed to a composition containing an agent which is to be absorbed primarily in the upper gastrointestinal tract which comprises a fibre substance and an active agent. The invention is further directed to a composition containing an active agent which is to be absorbed primarily in the upper gastrointestinal tract which comprises a tablet with at least two layers in which one layer is a fibre substance and the other layer contains an active agent. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Unique therapeutic combinations of fibre and drug or nutritional substances improves the absorption of the drug or nutritional substances in the body, thus, improving the bioavailability and efficiency of the product. This is due to the swelling action of the fibre, which thereby increases the retention of the product in the stomach. Therefore, the products of the invention attain maximum bioavailability through increased stomach retention which allows for maximum levels of absorption of the active agent(s). Those compositions that are water soluble and have active sites of absorption in the upper gastrointestinal tract are especially effective for use in the invention. 
     One embodiment involves tableting the compositions of the invention. Preferably, the tablet contains at least two layers. One layer contains the fibre and the second layer contains the active agent. By separating the substances the fibre does not bind up the active agents within the swelled fibre as it passes into the stomach. 
     It is important that the active agent be freely available for absorption in the stomach. Thus, binding or entrapment of the active agent by the fibre should be avoided. The active agent must be available for absorption thru the stomach walls. Preferably certain active agents exhibit their greatest bioavailability in a low pH environment. For these agents it is desirable that they be retained in the stomach as long as possible in order to achieve maximum absorption. 
     The following substances are suitable for use with the invention: 
     Fibre: Any natural or synthetic source of fibre, preferably those which are water soluble--non-limiting examples: 
     Natural Sources: Grains, such as oats, oat bran, and barley, and citrus fruits. 
     Synthetic Sources: Plastics, acrylates, such as polycarbophil and the salts thereof and cellulose complexes. 
     Therapeutic &amp; Nutritional Composition 
     (A) Therapeutic Product--non-limiting examples: appetite suppressants, analgesics, muscle relaxants, anti-diarrheals, laxatives, anti-hypertensives, hypoglycemics, oral diabetics, diuretics, transquilizers, neurolytic, psychotropic compounds, antacids and antiulcers. 
     (B) Nutritional Products--non-limiting examples: All water-soluble vitamins (vitamins C, B complexes etc.), and minerals, including all sources of calcium magnesium, manganese, protein and protein derivatives, emulsifiers and lipophilics. 
    
    
     The following examples illustrate the formulation and manufacture of the products of the invention. 
     Description 
     A two-layer tablet that contains 600 mg. of fiber and 385 mg. commercially available Multivitamin/Multimineral (which is equivalent to one-fifth of the recommended daily allowance) 
     
         __________________________________________________________________________Formula Item #      Material               Amt./Tab                                   Percent__________________________________________________________________________600   mg. (1)  Natural Fiber - 44/60 Granulation                             600 mg./tab                                   60.9%112   mg. (2)  Microcrystalline Cellulose   11.4%77.6   mg. (3)  Calcium from DiCalcium Phos. 7.9%60.4   mg. (4)  Phosphate from Dicalcium Phos.                                   6.1%33.2   mg. (5)  Magnesium from Magnesium Oxide                                   3.4%8.65   mg. (6)  Zinc from Zinc Sulfate       2.2%19.5   mg. (7)  Vit. C from Ascorbic Acid    1.98%16.4   mg. (8)  Iron from Ferrous Fumerate   1.7%--    (9)  Crospovidone XL              1.6%6.0   mg. (10) Potassium from Potassium Chloride                                   1.6%5.4   mg. (11) Chloride from Potassium Chloride                                   1.4%13.2   mg. (12) Vit. E from Vit. E Acetate   1.3%5.0   mg. (13) Selenium from Selenium Yeast 1.3%4.4   mg. (14) Niacinamide                  1.1%3.4   mg. (15) Manganese from Manganese Sulfate                                   0.9%2.5   mg. (16) Vit. A from Vit. A Acetate   0.6%2.4   mg. (17) Pantothenic Acid from d-Calcium Pantothenate                                   0.6%--    (18) Stearic Acid                 0.5%2.0   mg. (19) Vit. B.sub.12 From Cyanocobalamin                                   0.5%--    (20) Magnesium Stearate           0.3%0.94   mg. (21) Biotin                       0.24%0.8   mg. (22) Pyridoxine from Pyridoxine Hydrochoride                                   0.21%0.6   mg. (23) Riboflavin                   0.2%0.5   mg. (24) Copper from Cupric Oxide     0.14%0.48   mg. (25) Thiamine from Thiamine Mononitrate                                   0.12%--    (26) Syloid                       0.09%0.2   mg. (27) Vit. D from Vit. D.sub.3     0.04%0.1   mg. (28) Folic Acid                   0.03%0.05   mg. (29) Iodide from Potassium Iodide 0.01%0.03   mg. (30) Chromium from Chromium Chloride                                   0.00%0.013   mg. (31) Molybdenum from Sodium Molybdate                                   0.00%      Weight of Layer #2     385 mg/tab      Total Tablet Weight    985 mg/tab__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     Manufacturing Procedures 
     Layer #1 Direct Compression Material 
     Layer #2 
     Step 1 Premix item #s 22,23,25,26, and 28. Screen through a #35 mesh screen. 
     Step 2 Transfer to suitable blender along with approximately one half of item #4. Blend. 
     Step 3 Screen item #s 5, 6, 14, 15, 17, and 24 through a #35 mesh screen. Transfer to blender and blend. 
     Step 4 Transfer item #s 7, 8, 11, 12, 16, 19, to blender and blend. 
     Step 5 Premix item #s 2, 21, and 29. Screen through a #35 mesh screen. Blend with Step 4. 
     Step 6 Transfer item #s 10, 11, 13, and 27 to blender and blend. 
     Step 7 Grind item #s 30 and 31 with 300 mg. item #4. Transfer to blender in Step 6 and blend. 
     Step 8 Add the remainder of item #s 3 and 4. Blend. 
     Step 9 Add item #9. Blend 
     Step 10 Screen and add item #s 18 and 20. Blend. 
     Final Product 
     Step 1 Compress layer #1 and #2. 
     Step 2 Film coat clear. 
     Step 3 Package. 
     EXAMPLE II 
     Fiber 600 mg. Calcium 300 mg. Vitamin D 3  31 IU 
     Description 
     A one-layer tablet that contains 600 mg. Fiber, 300 mg. Calcium and 31 IU Vitamin D 3   
     
         __________________________________________________________________________Formula:__________________________________________________________________________44% Fiber  (1)     Natural Fiber 44/600 granulation                         600                            mg/tab300 mg.  (2)     Calcium Carbonate 92.8% D.C. (37% Ca)                         811                            mg/tab31 IU + 60%  (3)     Vitamin D.sub.3 100,000 IU/gm                         0.5                            mg/tab--     (4)     Croscarmellose, sodium                         6.0                            mg/tab--     (5)     Magnesium Stearate  3.0                            mg/tab     Total Tablet Wt:    1529                            mg/tab__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     Manufacturing Procedure 
     Step 1 Transfer the natural fiber 44/600 gram (44% non-nutritive diet any fibre/600 mg of fibre granulation) to a suitable blender and hold for step 4. 
     Step 2 Premix Vitamin D 3  (having 60% overage of vitamin D 3 ) with equal amount of croscarmellose, sodium in a blender. Blend for (1) minute. 
     Step 3 Blend the material from Step 2 with the remaining portion of croscarmellose, sodium. Blend for (1) minute in the blender. 
     Step 4 Transfer the Premix (Vitamin D 3  and croscarmellose, sodium) to the blender in Step 1. Blend for 10 minutes. 
     Step 5 Screen the Magnesium Stearate through a #20 mesh screen and transfer to the blender in Step 4. Blend for 3 minutes. 
     Step 6 Compress the granulation on a suitable Rotary Press with 0.342&#34;×0.746 mod. oval tooling at a target weight of 1420.5 mg/tab 
     Step 7 Film coat using a clear solution. 
     As previously noted that composition of the invention exhibit a number of unique properties. One of these properties is that it allows for the controlled release of the active agent. Due to the prolonged retention of the active agent in the stomach, the effects of a controlled release system are obtained.