Patent ID: 7179486

Claim:
A process for preparing a sustained release tablet comprising granulated or compressible niacin with an average particle size greater than about 20 microns and less than about 500 microns, a lubricant, a sustained release polymer and optionally a filler which process consisting essentially of: (a) preparing the granulated niacin by granulating and milling a powdered form of the niacin into granules; (b) blending from about 50% to about 98% by weight of substantially dry granulated or direct compressible niacin with a lubricating effective amount of an ungranulated lubricant, about 1 to about 25% (w/w) of an ungranulated polymeric sustained release material selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, PVP, ethylene oxide, ethyl cellulose and copolymers of methylmethacrylate and optionally an ungranulated or granulated filler, present in about 0 to about 25% (w/w), until the mixture is homogenous with respect to the niacin; and (c) then compressing product of (b) into a tablet.