Patent ID: 7771746

Claim:
A method of improving bioavailability of α-dihydroergocryptine administered using sustained-release delivery systems comprising combining α-dihydroergocryptine, optionally in a salt form or mixture thereof, with a pharmaceutically acceptable hydrophilic swelling agent mixture and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, wherein the ratio of α-dihydroergocryptine to said hydrophilic swelling agent mixture is 1:2 to 1:4 by weight and wherein the hydrophilic swelling agent is a mixture of carboxymethylcellulose and two types of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, wherein the first type of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose has a 19-24 weight percent methoxy content, a viscosity of 4,000 cps in a 2% water solution and a weight average molecular weight of 89,000 daltons and wherein the second type of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose has a 19-24 weight percent methoxy content, a viscosity of 15,000 cps in a 2% water solution and a weight average molecular weight of 124,000 daltons.