Patent ID: 7410652

Claim:
A controlled release oral pharmaceutical composition in a tablet form containing mesalamine as the active ingredient, consisting essentially of: a) a matrix, consisting of lipophilic compounds with a melting point lower than 90° C. in which the active ingredient is at least partially dispersed, said lipophilic compounds being a combination of at least one wax and at least one saturated fatty acid or unsaturated fatty acid; b) a hydrophilic matrix in which the lipophilic matrix is dispersed, said hydrophilic matrix consisting of carboxyalkylcellulose; and c) a matrix consisting of amphiphilic compounds being selected from the group consisting of polar lipids of type I, polar lipids of type II and glycols partially etherified with C1-C4 alkyl chains, in which the active ingredient is at least partially dispersed, said matrix of amphiphilic compounds being dispersed in the hydrophilic matrix, wherein, the matrix of lipophilic compounds, the matrix of hydrophilic compounds, and the matrix of amphiphilic compounds, in combination, provide controlled release.