HK1074581B - Pharmaceutical tablet - Google Patents

Description

Pharmaceutical tablet

Technical Field

The invention relates to orally administrable pharmaceutical dosage forms, in particular tablets.

Background

Tablets are the most common and convenient pharmaceutical dosage form for oral administration of drugs. It is an important functional attribute of a tablet that can be easily identified by appearance including size, shape, surface structure, speckle and color. This ease of identification is important in reducing dispensing errors and in enabling patients who are taking multiple medications to distinguish between the medications they are taking at different times or at different frequencies. A large number of drugs are currently being tableted and many of these drugs are being formulated at different dosage concentrations, so it becomes more important but more difficult to ensure that any new tablet has a unique appearance.

Especially the range of easily distinguishable colors available to the tablet formulator is rather limited. This problem has been alleviated to some extent by the use of mottled, bi-colored or multi-colored tablets. However, there remains a need in the art for tablets having a unique surface color profile.

In the case of coated tablets, color may be an attribute of the surface coating layer. For example, a range of opacifying pigments may be used for incorporation into tablet coating compositions such as ethylcellulose-based compositions; these pigments tend to impart a pure white or colored appearance to the coated tablets. Alternatively, the surface coating layer may be clear and transparent, and the color of the coated tablet is controlled by the color of the core below the coating layer.

U.S. patent No. US 6326028 to Nivaggioli et al, which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a tablet coating comprising gellan gum (gellan). Such coatings are said to be useful in oral tablets and to provide benefits in appearance, identification, mouth feel, reduced dust, stability, color and/or swallowability.

International patent publication WO01/10406, which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses compositions that are considered suitable for use in a wide range of routes of administration for sildenafil citrate, including the buccal and sublingual routes. Preferred compositions disclosed are said to include solutions, gels, semisolids, suspensions, metered dose (metereddose devices), transdermal patches or films. This patent teaches that such compositions may include a gel system, such as gellan gum from 0.5% to 10%.

International patent publication WO02/05820, which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses film dosage forms comprising sildenafil citrate. These dosage forms are prepared by mixing a solid dispersion of sildenafil citrate and a water-soluble sugar with a hydrocolloid and optionally other ingredients, which when placed on the mucosal surface are said to form a coating that subsequently disintegrates and dissolves to give sildenafil. Among the hydrocolloids considered useful in such film dosage forms are sodium gellan gum salts.

US patent No. 6291506 to Levin discloses that formulations can be formulated for ocular administration by suspending the ophthalmic drug carvedilol in an agent such as a gellan gum that increases the contact time between the cornea and the drug. Other possible modes of administration are also contemplated. The claims include methods of administration by selection of routes of administration, including sublingual administration.

Summary of The Invention

The present invention provides a pharmaceutical tablet comprising a core and a coating adhered to the core, wherein (a) the core comprises solid particles of a water-soluble dye dispersed in a matrix, and (b) the coating comprises gellan gum.

The tablets are particularly suitable for oral or buccal administration, e.g. for administration of a drug contained in the core to a patient, e.g. a human patient. The term "oral" as used herein means administration via the mouth, including swallowing a tablet without substantial prior disintegration of the tablet in the mouth, such that absorption of the drug generally occurs in the gastrointestinal tract. The term "intraoral" as used herein means administration by placing a tablet in the mouth of a patient, where the tablet disintegrates and/or dissolves, such that absorption of the drug generally occurs at least in part via the oral mucosa. For oral administration, the tablet may be placed in or on any part of the mouth, but it is preferred to place the tablet under the tongue or in the buccal space.

Alternatively, the tablet is dissolved or dispersed in a liquid medium, preferably water, and swallowed as a drink.

The tablets of the invention have a distinctive speckled (speckled) appearance. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that during coating of a core with a water-soluble coating composition comprising gellan gum, dye particles in contact with the coating composition partially dissolve, resulting in color "bleeding" onto the coating layer where each such particle is located. When the coating layer dries, the color becomes fixed. The high gloss surface structure that benefits from gellan gum makes the mottled pattern more visible and makes it more appealing or elegant. As will be described more fully below, many variations of the spot pattern feature of the tablets of the present invention are possible and feasible, adding new options to the formulator seeking to prepare an easily identifiable tablet.

As a further advantage, the speckle pattern of the tablets of the invention can make any small discolored areas, which sometimes occur as a result of changing processing conditions, unnoticeable.

Additional features, advantages and benefits of the present invention will be apparent from the description which follows.

Detailed Description

The tablets of the invention may be placebo tablets, i.e. containing no drug or other active agent in their core. Preferably, the tablets of the invention contain a therapeutically and/or prophylactically effective amount of the drug in the core, more preferably, conveniently administered by oral or buccal administration.

For example, the drug present in the core of the tablet of the invention may be selected from the following exemplary classes: an ACE inhibitor; an alpha-adrenergic agonist; a beta-adrenergic agonist; an alpha beta adrenergic blocker; beta-adrenergic blockers (beta blockers); an alcohol inhibitor; an aldose reductase inhibitor; an aldosterone antagonist; an amino acid; assimilators (anabolics); analgesics (narcotics and non-narcotics); an anesthetic; anorectic agents; an antacid; an insect repellent; anti-acne agents (anti agent); an anti-allergic agent; anti-androgenic agents; anti-anginal drugs; anti-restlessness agents; antiarrhythmic drugs (antiarrythmics); antiasthmatic; antibacterial agents and antibiotics; anti-alopecia and anti-baldness agents; an anti-amoebic; an antibody; anticholinergic agents; anticoagulants and blood thinners; anti-colitis drugs; an anticonvulsant; anti-cystitis agents; an antidepressant; an antidiabetic agent; antidiarrheal agents; antidiuretic drugs; antidote; antiemetic agents; anti-estrogen agents; antiflatulent drugs; an antifungal agent; an antigen; anti-glaucoma agents; an antihistamine; anti-hyperactive agents (antimalarial); antihyperlipidemic agents; anti-hypertensive agents; anti-hyperthyroidism drugs; anti-hypotensive agents; anti-hypothyroidism agents; an anti-infective agent; anti-inflammatory drugs (steroidal and non-steroidal); anti-malarial drugs; anti-migraine agents; an antineoplastic agent; anti-obesity agents; antiparkinsonian and anti-dyskinetic agents; anti-pneumonic drugs; an antiprotozoal agent; antipruritics (antipruritics); anti-psoriasis agent; antipsychotics; antipyretic drugs; antirheumatic agents; an anti-secretory agent; anti-shock agents; an anti-spasmodic agent; anti-thrombotic agents; anti-cancer agents; antitussives; anti-ulcer agents; an antiviral agent; anxiolytic drugs; a bactericidal drug; a bone densifier; bronchodilators; a calcium channel blocker; carbonic anhydrase inhibitors; cardiotonic and cardiac stimulant; a chemotherapeutic agent; a cholagogue; a cholinergic agent; a chronic fatigue syndrome therapeutic agent; a CNS stimulant; a coagulant; a contraceptive agent; a cystic fibrosis treating agent; a decongestant; a diuretic; dopamine receptor agonists; (ii) a dopamine receptor antagonist; an enzyme; an estrogen; expectorant; remedies for gastric hyperactive; a glucocorticoid; a hemostatic agent; HMG CoA reductase inhibitors; a hormone; hypnotic drugs; an immunomodulator; an immunosuppressant; a laxative; oral and periodontal disease medications; miotics; (ii) a monoamine oxidase inhibitor; a mucolytic agent; a therapeutic agent for multiple sclerosis; a muscle relaxant; mydriatic drugs; an anti-anesthetic; an NMDA receptor antagonist; an oligonucleotide; ophthalmic administration; an oxytocic; a peptide; polypeptides and proteins; a polysaccharide; a progestogen; prostaglandins; a protease inhibitor; a respiratory promoter; a sedative; serotonin uptake inhibitors; sex hormones (including androgens); a smoking cessation drug; a smooth muscle relaxant; a smooth muscle stimulant; a thrombolytic agent; an antipsychotic agent; a uricating agent; a therapeutic agent for urinary incontinence; a vasodilator; a vascular protectant; and combinations thereof.

It will be appreciated that any reference herein to a particular drug compound includes tautomers, stereoisomers, salts and prodrugs of that compound and does not refer specifically to any one solid state form of the drug.

In one embodiment, the drug contained in the core is an anti-smoking agent, such as nicotine, nicotine metabolites, or non-nicotine contributing to smoking cessation, such as bupropion (bupropion) or ibogaine (ibogaine).

For example, the smoking cessation agent may be selected from nicotine and its metabolites (e.g., cotinine, norcotinine, nornicotine, nicotine N-oxide, cotinine N-oxide, 3-hydroxycitronin, and 5-hydroxycitronin), ibogaine, bupropion and their metabolites (e.g., bupropion erythro-and threo-amino alcohols, bupropion erythro-and hydroxybutyronitrile), lobeline (lobeline), selegiline (selegiline), risperidone (risperidone) and its 9-hydroxy metabolite, norselegiline, substituted pyridine derivatives (e.g., 1- [ (6-chloro-3-pyridyl) methyl ] -2-imidazolidine, 1- [ (6-chloro-3-pyridyl) methyl ] -2-imidazothiazole, and their analogs), Methyl camphene (methcamylamine), desipramine (desipramine), fluoxetine, ropinirole (ropinarole), trimethophiazole (trimethaphan), trimethophan sulfonate (trimethaphan camsylate), doxepin (doxepin), 2- (3-chlorophenyl) -3, 5, 5-trimethyl-2-morpholinol, anxiolytic drugs (such as isovaleramide), gamma-vinyl GABA (GVG), epibatidine (epibatidine) and its derivatives, 7-azabicyclo- [2.2.1] -heptane and-heptene compounds, naltrexone (naltrexone), nalmefene (nalmefene), ketamine (ketamine), hexamethonium (xamethonium), diazepam (tolinium), dihydropentium-beta-erythrine (erythritine), erythridine, dipyridamine (fenthidine), iprodione (isobornidine), indolechloride (indolenine (doxepinine), norflurandrine (methamphididine), norflurandrine (indole chloride), norflurandrine (indole chloride), norflurandrine (methamphididine), norflurandrine (e), norflurandrine, norgestimatinib (e), norflurandrine, Heteroxy (hetero-oxy) alkylamines, benzylidene-and cinnamylidene-neonicotinoids, azaindole-ethylamine derivatives, N- (pyridylmethyl) -heterocyclylideneamines (heterocylideneamines), and NK-1 receptor antagonists (e.g., 9-bromo-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6-hexahydro-1, 5-methano-pyrido [1, 2-a ] [1, 5] diazocine-8-one).

In another embodiment, the drug contained in the core is an antibacterial drug. For example, such a drug may be an antibiotic such as an aminoglycoside, a mycin (amphenicol), an ansamycin, a carbapenem, a cephalosporin, a cephamycin, a monobactam, an oxacephem, a penicillin, a lincosamide, a macrolide, a polypeptide or a tetracycline; or synthetic antibacterial agents such as 2, 4-diaminopyrimidine, nitrofuran, oxazolidinone, quinolone or analogs thereof, sulfonamide or sulfone. Preferred antibacterial agents in the present invention include the following examples: amikacin, azithromycin (azithromycin), cefixime (cefixime), cefoperazone (cefoperazone), cefotaxime (cefotaxime), cefotaxime (cefradime), cefotaxime (cefatrione), chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, clindamycin (clindamycin), polymyxin E (colistin), domeclycine, doxycline, erythromycin, gentamicin, lincomycin (lincomycin), linezolid (linezolid), mafenide, methacycline, minocycline, neomycin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, oxytetracycline, pirlimycin (pirlimycin), polymyxin B, pyrimethamine, silver sulfadiazine, sulfacetamide (sulfacetamide), sulfisoxazole, tetracycline, tobramycin, trimethoprim and combinations thereof. In one embodiment the antibacterial agent present in the core is an oxazolidinone (oxazolidinone), for example selected from the group consisting of (S) -N- [ [3- [ 3-fluoro-4- [4- (hydroxyacetyl) -1-piperazinyl ] phenyl ] -2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl ] methyl ] acetamide (epprazosin)), (S) -N- [ [3- [ 3-fluoro-4- [4- (morpholinyl) phenyl ] -2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl ] methyl ] acetamide (linezolid), N- [ (5S) -3- [ 3-fluoro-4- [4- (2-fluoroethyl) -3-oxo-1-piperazinyl ] phenyl-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl ] methyl ] acetyl ] acetamide Amines, (S) -N- [ [3- [5- (3-pyridinyl) thiophen-2-yl ] -2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl ] methyl ] acetamide and (S) -N- [ [3- [5- (4-pyridinyl) pyridin-2-yl ] -2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl ] methyl ] acetamide hydrochloride.

In another embodiment, the drug contained in the core is an anti-migraine agent. Such agents are, for example, alkylxanthines (alkylxanthines), such as caffeine; dopamine D₂Receptor agonists such as apremide (alpiropride) or lisuride (lisuride); GABA_AReceptor modulators, such as ganaxolone (ganaxolone); 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor agonists, such as almotriptan (almotriptan), eletriptan (eletriptan), fluvastatin (frovatriptan), naratriptan (naratriptan), rizatriptan (rizatriptan), sumatriptan (sumatriptan) or zolmitriptan (zolmitriptan); ergot or a derivative thereof, such as ergotamine or dihydroergotamine; or a vasomodulator such as polytitarizine (dotarizine), xylazine (fonazine) or lomerizine (lomerizine).

In another embodiment, the drug contained in the core is for the treatment or prevention of an ophthalmic disorder.

Such ophthalmic agents may for example be antibacterial agents, for example selected from those listed above.

Alternatively or additionally, such ophthalmic agents may be, for example, anti-glaucoma agents or ocular hypotensive agents, such as (a) alpha-adrenergic agonists or sympathomimetic agents, such as adrenolone, apraclonidine, brimonidine, or dipivefrin; (b) beta-adrenergic blockers, such as acebutolol, adaprolol (adapalol), allyllol (alprenolol), atenolol (atenolol), betaxolol (betaxolol), bufalol (bufetolol), bufuralol (bufuralol), bunitrolol (bunitrolol), butyrolol (bunolol), bucanolol (bucranolol), carteolol (carteolol), carvedilol (carvedilol), sitalol (cetomolol), dexpropranolol (dexpropanolol), labetalol (labetalol), levobunolol (levobunolol), metipranolol (metipranolol), metoprolol (metoprolol), nadolol (nadolol), nifedilol (nifenalol), propranolol (oxyprenolol), cyclopentanecarbonol (penbutolol), pindolol (pindolol), propranolol (practolol), renomelol (propathalol), propranolol (propranolol), sotalol (sotalol), timolol (timolol), tolantrone (tolamolol), toliprolol (toliprolol) or vanolol; (c) carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, such as methazolamide or dozolamide (dorzolamide); or (d) prostaglandins or analogues thereof, e.g. PGF_2αAnalogues such as bimatoprost), aptoda (latanoprost), trawoprost (trayoprost) and unoprostone isopropyl (unoprostone isoproyl).

Alternatively or additionally, such ophthalmic agents may be, for example, miotics such as carbachol, physostigmine, or pilocarpine.

Alternatively or additionally, such ophthalmic agents may for example be anti-inflammatory agents such as NSAIDs, more preferably selective COX-2 inhibitors, for example selected from those listed above.

In another embodiment, the core contains a drug selected from the group consisting of an analgesic, antipyretic or anti-inflammatory drug, such as acetylchlorophenolic acid (aceclofenac), acetaminophen (acemetacin), e-acetamidohexanoic acid, acetaminophen (aceacetaminophen), p-acetaminosalophenyl salicylate (aceaminosalol), acetanilide (acetanilide), acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), S-cobalamin methionine (S-adenosylmethionine), alclolic acid (alclofenac), alclometasone (alclometasone), alfentanil (alfentanamide), algestrol (algestone), allylphenylpiperidine (allopropidine), alminoprofen (alminoprofen), aloprin (aloiprin), alfanrolidine (alfanpridine), aluminum bis (acetylsalicylate), alnicox (aminochlorophene), picoline (aminochloropropionic acid), aminochloropropionic acid (aminochloropropionic acid), aminochlorobutyric acid (aminochlorobutyric acid), 4-amino-pyridine (4-amino-4-amino-pyridine (aminocaprone, amino-4-amino-2-amino, Aminopyrine, amitriptyline (amitriptrine), ammonium salicylate, ampiroxicam (ampiroxicam), atomoxetine (amtolmetin guacil), anilidine (anileridine), antipyrine (antipyrine), analeptin (antrafenine), indomethacin (apazone), beclomethasone, benindac, benorilate (benorilate), benoxaprofen, benproperone (benzoperyl), indomethazine (benzylonil), benzydamine (benzylmorphine), bermoprofen (bermoprofen), betamethasone (betamethasone), benzamidone (bezzimide), alpha-bisabolol (alpha-bisabolol), bromfenac (bronfenic acid), para-bromfenamide, 5-salicylacetate (fenpropinebroden), bupropion (butafenamide), buprofezin (buthyline), buprofezin (buprofezin), buprofezin (benomycine), benomyl), butorphanol (butophanol), carbamazepine (carbamazepine), carbifene (carbaphene), carprofen (carprofen), casalan (carasalam), celecoxib (celecoxib), chlorobutanol, chloroprednisole (chloroprednisone), chloroethylbenzoxazinone (chlorohexzin), choline salicylate, cinchophene (cinchophen), cinnamectin (cinmetacin), tramadol (citramadol), clidanac (clidanac), clobetasol (clobetasol), clocortolone (clocotolone), clomethicillin (clomethicone), lonitacrine (clonitazone), nicotinic acid (nicloxacin), chlorpropiramine (cloprednol), clove, codeine (codeine), methasone (methasone), dexamethasone (dihydroflufenacetone), triamcinolone (dihydrocodeine), dexamethasone (dihydrocodeine), chlorphenamide (malonamide), chlorphenamide (chlorphenamide), chlorphenamide (chlorphenamide, chlorp, Dexdiphenylpiperidine dioxane (dexoxadol), molsidacine (dexomoramide), dezocine (dezocine), diamminepropionamide (diampromide), diclofenac (diclofenac), difenoylamide pyrazole (difenoxazole), diphenylmetazamide (difenpyramide), diflorasone (diflorasone), diflucortolone (diflucortolone), diflunisal (diflunisal), acetobutyldifluoride (difuprednate), dihydrocodeine, acetohydrocodone, dihydromorphine, aluminum acetylsalicylate, benzalkonium acetate (dimexadol), methadol (dimephenoplast), dibutylamine (dimethy), mefenbutyl (diohexythate), diphenoxyhexanone (diprenone), dicyclopropyl, azoxanine (pyrazoxamide), sulfadiazine (fenazamide), salicylic acid (fenazamide), fenazamide (fenamidone (fenamate), fenamidone (fenamidone), fenamidone (fenamidone), fenamidone (fenamidone, Methamine (ethylhexylthiamine), ethylmorphine, etodolac (etodolac), etofenamate (etofenamate), etonile (etontazene), etoricoxib (etoricoxib), eugenol (euprenol), felbinac (felbinac), fenbufen (fenbufen), fenacetoacetic acid (fenclozic), fendoxane (fendosal), fenoprofen (fenoprofen), fentanyl (fentanyl), fentiac (fentiazac), feprofenol (feprosanol), phenylbutazone (fenpropathene), fluquinacrine (flufenamide), fluxolone (fluxolone), flufenamic acid (flufenamic acid), diflunisone (flufenacetone), flufenacet (flufenacet), flufenacetone (9-fluocinolone (flufenacet), flufenacetone (flufenacet), flufenacet (flufenacet), flufenacet (flufenacet), flufenacet (, Fluprednidene (fluprednidene), flurbiprofen (fluprednisone), fluproquinazone (fluprozone), fluoroxypyrone acetonide (fluandrenolide), flurbiprofen (flubiprofen), formocortal, salicyl ester (sfoxasal), gentisic acid (gentisic acid), glafenine (glaphenine), glucamectin (glucetacin), glycol salicylate, guaiazulene (guaiazulene), clomazone (haloonide), chlorodiflunisone (halometasone), bromoflurazone (haloprednone), hydrocodone (hydrocodone), hydrocortisone urethane (hydrocortisone), hydrocortisone (hydrocortisone), dihydrohydrocodone (hydromorphone), hydrocortisone (hydroxypiperidine), oxyphenrysone (hydroxyfenamide), ibuprofen (isofenaminone), ibuprofen (ibuprofen), ibuprofen (ketoprofen), ibuprofen (isofenaminone), ibuprofen (ketoprofen), ibuprofen (indomethacin), clofenacetoamine (ibuprofen), clofenacetone (ibuprofen), clofenaminone (clofenacetone), clofenacetrimidate), clofenac (clofenacin), clofenacetone (clofenacetone, ketoprofen (ketoprofen), tolethamine (ketorolac), lactoyl paraoxonide (p-lactophenetide), lifloramine (lefetamine), levorphanol (levorphanol), lofentanil (lofenntanil), fenamic acid (lonazolac), lornoxicam (lormoxicam), loxoprofen (loxoprofen), lysine aspirin, mapredone (mazipredone), meclofenamic acid (meclofenamic acid), medroxylon (medrysone), mefenamic acid (mefenamic acid), meperidine (meperidine), methylprednisolone (meprednisone), meperidine (meptazinol), mesalamine (mesalamine), metazocine (methadone), methadone (methadone), trimethoprim (methadone), methadone (methadone), methorphanol (methadone), methorphanol (methorphanol), morphine (methorphanol), methorphanol (methorphanol), methorphanol (methorphanol), methorphan (methorpha, Murophine (myrophine), nabumetone (nabumetone), nalbuphine (nalbuphine), salicylic acid-l-naphthyl ester, naproxen (naproxen), narceine (narceine), nefopam (nefopam), nicomorphin (nicomorphine), nifenifenazone (nifenazone), niflumic acid (niflumic acid), nimesulide (nimesulide), 5 '-nitro-2' -propoxylacetanilide, norlevorphanol (norlevorphanol), normethadone (normethadone), normorphine (normorphine), nopiperone (nopiperone), azosalicylic acid (olsalazine), opium (opium), oxaceprol (oxaceprol), oximic acid (oxametacin), oxaprozin (oxyprazine), oxycodone (oxycetasone), oxypetasone (oxypetasone), oxypetasone (noroxapicropamide (norbenoxapicropamide), oxypetasone (norbenoxapicropamide (norbenoxapicrate), oxypetasone), phenacetin (phenacetin), phenoxepin (phenodoxone), phenazocine (phenazocine), phenazopyridine hydrochloride (phenazopyridine), fenocoll (phenocoll), phencyclidine (phenoperidine), fenopirone (phenopyrazone), phenyl acetylsalicylate (phenazopyrazone), phenyl phenylbutazone (phenylbutazone), phenyl salicylate (salicylate), phenylpyramidol (phenopamidol), pyroprofen (piotoprofen), triamcinolone (piminodine), piperazinone (pipobuzone), piperazinone (piperylone), piperazinone (piperazinone), propiconazole (piperazinone), propiophenone (propiophenone), propiophenone (propineb), propiophenone (propineb) (propineb) (propiophenone (propineb), propineb) (propiophenone (propineb) (propineb, Proboquine (proquazone), phenothiazine propionic acid (protizinic acid), propiconazole (proxazole), raminone (ramifenazone), ramifentanyl (remifentianil), pyrimethanil sulphate (rimazolium metilsulfate), rofecoxib (rofecoxib), acetylsalicylamide (salacetamide), salicin (salicin), salicylamide (salicylamide), salicylamide ortho-acetic acid, salicylic acid, salicylate sulfate, salsalate, savelin (salvrine), cimetimide (simetrride), sufentanil (sufenntanil), sulfasalazine (sulfasalazine), sulindac (sulindac), superoxide dismutase, suprofen (suprofenfen), phenylbutazone (suxib), talflunate (talnifurate), tenipodine (tiadinin), tiadinin (tiadinin), thidinin (tiadinin), tiadinin (tiadinin), tiadinin (tiadinin, Hydrocortisone (tixocortil), tolfenamic acid (tolfenamic acid), tolmetin (tolmetin), tramadol (tramadol), triamcinolone (triamcinolone), tropasin (tropessin), valdecoxib (valdecoxib), virinol (viminol), phenylbutyric acid (xenbucin), oximinocycloproprofen (ximoprofen), zaltoprofen (zaltoprofen) or zomepirac (zomepirac).

In one embodiment, such a drug is a selective COX-2 inhibitor, for example a compound of formula (I):

a is a substituent selected from the group consisting of a partially unsaturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring and a partially unsaturated or unsaturated carbocyclic ring, preferably, the heterocyclic group is selected from the group consisting of pyrazolyl, furanonyl, isoxazolyl, pyridyl, cyclopentenonyl (cyclopentenonyl), and pyridazinonyl;

x isO, S or CH₂；

n is 0 or 1;

R¹¹is at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of heterocycle, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl and aryl, optionally substituted at a substitutable position by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of alkyl, haloalkyl, cyano, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkoxy, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, nitro, alkoxyalkyl, alkylsulfinyl, a halogen atom, alkoxy and alkylthio;

R¹²is methyl, amino or aminocarbonylalkyl;

R¹³is one or more groups selected from the following groups: hydrogen (hydrido), halogen atom, alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, oxy group, cyano group, carboxyl group, cyanoalkyl group, heterocyclyloxy group, alkoxy group, alkylthio group, alkylcarbonyl group, cycloalkyl group, aryl group, haloalkyl group, heterocyclic group, cycloalkenyl group, aralkyl group, heterocycloalkyl group, acyl group, alkylthioalkyl group, hydroxyalkyl group, alkoxycarbonyl group, arylcarbonyl group, aralkylcarbonyl group, aralkenyl group, alkoxyalkyl group, arylthioalkyl group, aryloxyalkyl group, aralkylthioalkyl group, aralkyloxyalkyl group, alkoxyaralkyloxyalkyl group, alkoxycarbonylalkyl group, aminocarbonyl group, aminocarbonylalkyl group, alkylaminocarbonyl group, N-arylaminocarbonyl group, N-alkyl-N-arylaminocarbonyl group, alkylaminocarbonylalkyl group, carboxyalkyl group, alkylamino group, N-arylamino group, N-aralkylamino group, N-alkyl-N-aralkylamino, N-alkyl-N-arylamino, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, N-arylaminoalkyl, N-aralkylaminoalkyl, N-alkyl-N-arylaminoalkyl, aryloxy, aralkoxy, arylthio, aralkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, alkylaminosulfonyl, N-arylaminosulfonyl, arylsulfonyl and N-alkyl-N-arylaminosulfonyl, R¹³Optionally substituted at a substitutable position by one or more substituents selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, cyano, carboxy, alkoxyCarbonyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkoxy, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, nitro, alkoxyalkyl, alkylsulfinyl, halogen atoms, alkoxy and alkylthio; and R¹⁴Selected from hydrogen and halogen atoms.

In a preferred composition according to an embodiment of the invention, the selective COX-2 inhibitor is a compound represented by formula (II):

wherein R is¹⁵Is methyl, amino or imide group, R¹⁶Is hydrogen or C_1-4Alkyl or alkoxy, X is N or CR¹⁷Wherein R is¹⁷Is hydrogen or halogen, and Y and Z are independently carbon or nitrogen atoms, which are adjacent atoms of a five-or six-membered ring, which ring is unsubstituted or substituted in one or more positions by oxygen, halogen atoms, methyl or halomethyl. Preferred such five-to six-membered rings are cyclopentenone, furanone, methylpyrazole, isoxazole and pyridine rings substituted in no more than one position.

In another preferred composition according to an embodiment of the invention, the selective COX-2 inhibitor is a compound having formula (III):

wherein X' is O, S or N-lower alkyl; r¹⁸Is lower haloalkyl; r¹⁹Is hydrogen or halogen; r²⁰Is hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or haloalkoxy, lower aralkylcarbonyl, lower dialkylaminosulfonyl, lower alkylaminosulfonyl, lower aralkylaminosulfonyl, lower heteroaralkylaminosulfonyl or 5-or 6-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic sulfonyl; r²¹And R²²Independently hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy orAnd (4) an aryl group.

A particularly useful compound represented by formula (III) is (S) -6, 8-dichloro-2- (trifluoromethyl) -2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid. In yet another preferred composition according to an embodiment of the present invention, the selective COX-2 inhibitor is a 5-alkyl-2-arylaminophenylacetic acid or a derivative thereof. Particularly useful compounds of this type are 5-methyl-2- (2 '-chloro-6' -fluoroanilino) phenylacetic acid and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

For example, in the composition of the present invention, celecoxib (celecoxib), deracoxib, valdecoxib, parecoxib (parecoxib), rofecoxib (rofecoxib), etoricoxib (etoricoxib), 2- (3, 5-difluorophenyl) -3- [4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl ] -2-cyclopenten-1-one, (S) -6, 8-dichloro-2- (trifluoromethyl) -2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid, 2- (3, 4-difluorophenyl) -4- (3-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-butoxy) -5- [4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl ] -3- (2H) -pyridazinone and salts thereof can be used.

For example, the selective COX-2 inhibitor or prodrug thereof may be selected from the group consisting of celecoxib, valdecoxib, parecoxib, rofecoxib, etoricoxib, (S) -6, 8-dichloro-2- (trifluoromethyl) -2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid, and salts thereof.

In another embodiment, the medicament contained in the tablet core is for the treatment and/or prevention of sexual dysfunction in male and/or female patients. Such drugs may be, for example, (a) phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, such as sildenafil, tadalafil or pandenafil, (b) cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase inhibitors, (c) cyclic AMP activators, (d) alpha-adrenergic antagonists, such as phentolamine or yohimbine, or (e) dopaminergic agonists, such as apomorphine. Such a drug may be a compound represented by the following formula (V). Alternatively, the drug contained in the core may be different from the drug used in the treatment and/or prevention of sexual dysfunction. As a further alternative, the drug contained in the core may be used for the treatment and/or prevention of sexual dysfunction but is different from the compound represented by formula (V) below.

In an exemplary composition, the drug for use, for example, in the treatment of parkinson's disease or sexual dysfunction is present in the core and is a compound represented by formula (V):

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

R¹、R²and R³Identical or different is H, C_1-6Alkyl (optionally substituted with phenyl), C_3-5Alkenyl or alkynyl or C_3-10Cycloalkyl, or R³As above, R¹And R²Cyclizing with the attached N atom to form pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, 4-methylpiperazinyl, or imidazolyl; a

X is H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, C_1-6Alkyl or alkoxy, CN, carbamoyl, carboxy or (C)_1-6Alkyl) carbonyl;

a is CH, CH₂、CHF、CHCl、CHBr、CHI、CHCH₃、C＝O、C＝S、CSCH₃、C＝NH、CNH₂、CNHCH₃、CNHCOOCH₃、CNHCN、SO₂Or N;

b is CH, CH₂CHF, CHCl, CHBr, CHI, C-O, N, NH or NCH₃N is 0 or 1; and is

D is CH, CH₂CHF, CHCl, CHBr, CHI, C-O, O, N, NH or NCH₃. It is preferable that the compound represented by the formula (V) or a salt thereof is water-soluble.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds represented by formula (V) include, but are not limited to, salts of the following acids: hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, methanesulfonic, phosphoric, nitric, benzoic, citric, tartaric, fumaric and maleic acid, and of the formula CH₃-(CH₂)_n-COOH and HOOC- (CH)₂)_nMonocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids of-COOH, where n is from 0 to 4, such as malonic acid.

Particularly preferred salts are the hydrochloride and maleate salts, i.e. (Z) -2-butenedioate.

The compounds of formula (V) and their salts can be prepared by methods known per se, including the methods described in the patent documents cited herein. However, the present invention is not limited by the method used to prepare the therapeutic agent.

Preferred compounds of formula (V) are those described generally or specifically in Moon et al, US patent 5273975. Particularly preferred compounds are compounds represented by formula (VI):

wherein X is

O or S.

The core for use according to the present invention may be prepared by any suitable method known in the art. The core according to the invention comprises a matrix in which solid particles of a water-soluble dye are dispersed. Any suitable excipient can form the matrix. For oral tablets, the matrix will generally include diluents or carriers, such as lactose and/or starch, and may also include additional excipients such as binding agents, disintegrants, wetting agents and the like. For oral tablets, the matrix typically comprises a water-soluble sugar, such as mannitol and/or maltose. If the drug is present in the core, the drug is also dispersed in the matrix.

The final appearance of the tablet will depend in part on the choice of water-soluble dye and the number and size of the solid particles of dye. For example, larger particles tend to produce speckle patterns having larger patches of color than smaller particles; the speckle pattern produced by a larger amount of particles tends to cover a greater portion of the tablet surface than the speckle pattern produced by a smaller amount of particles. Dyes that are more water soluble tend to produce larger and/or fewer dispersed color patches than dyes that are less water soluble.

Solid particles of one or more water-soluble dyes may optionally be present in the core to provide a bi-or multi-coloured speckled appearance to the tablet.

The core is coated with a coating composition comprising gellan gum, as described more fully below. The coating layer is generally present in an amount expressed as a weight gain of about 0.1% to about 5%, although greater or lesser amounts may be used as desired. Preferably, the gellan gum comprises from about 25% to 100%, more preferably from about 50% to 100% by weight of the coating layer.

Preferably, the coating layer is an excipient coating layer. The "excipient coating layer" herein means a coating layer consisting only of an excipient material at least when the coating layer is applied to the core, that is, containing substantially no drug therein. It will be appreciated that some degree of drug migration from the tablet core to the coating layer of the present invention may occur during manufacture and storage, but this is generally negligible. Thus, the drug (if present in the tablet) is primarily confined to the core where it is not mixed with the gellan gum.

Any gellan gum may be used in the coating composition, but it is preferred to use a deacylated gellan gum, such as that sold under the trademark kellogel^TMThe commercial product of (1). One or more other gums and/or biopolymers, such as alginates, may optionally be present in the coating composition.

The coating composition comprises a sprayable medium, preferably water, in which the gellan gum and optionally one or more other excipients have been dissolved or dispersed. Preferably, the total solids concentration of the coating composition is from about 1 wt% to about 10 wt%, and the gellan gum concentration is from about 1 wt% to about 5 wt%.

Other excipients present in the coating composition may include: one or more buffers, typically at a concentration of about 0.03 wt% to about 3 wt%; one or more plasticizers, typically at a concentration of about 0.03 wt% to about 3 wt%; and/or one or more dispersing and/or emulsifying agents, typically at a concentration of about 0.03 wt% to about 3 wt%. An example of a suitable buffer is sodium citrate. An example of a suitable plasticizer is propylene glycol. An example of a suitable dispersing or emulsifying agent is lecithin. If desired, flavoring agents may also be included in the coating composition.

The coating composition may be prepared by any suitable method, including dissolving the gellan gum and optional other excipients in a medium, preferably water. The order of addition is not important. The water is preferably heated to a temperature of, for example, about 55 c to about 85 c. Gellan gum and other excipients (if any) are added with stirring until all ingredients are uniformly dispersed. The resulting coating liquid is preferably maintained at an elevated temperature during stirring and subsequent spraying.

The core tablet to be coated is placed in a suitable coating apparatus, such as a coating pan, and preferably preheated to a bed temperature of about 50 ℃ to about 70 ℃. The coating liquid is sprayed onto the tablets under conditions which can be easily optimized by a person skilled in the art. Spraying is continued until an amount of coating fluid equivalent to a weight gain of about 0.1% to about 5% has been applied. The resulting coated tablets are preferably cooled to room temperature or about 20 ℃ to about 35 ℃ before being discharged from the coating pan.

Coating and cooling conditions also affect the exact color pattern of the final tablet. For example, if the coating is performed at low temperatures and/or if cooled slowly, the solid dye particles in the core are exposed to water for a long time, thus generally producing a spot pattern with a large color patch.

An exemplary sublingual tablet of the invention containing as active agent a salt such as the maleate salt of sumanirole or (R) -5, 6-dihydro-5- (methylamino) -4H-imidazo [4, 5-ij ] -quinoline-2 (1H) -thione has a core consisting of:

active agent 0.1-3% free base equivalent

50 to 90 percent of mannitol

Sorbitol powder 10-40%

0 to 10 percent of hydroxypropyl cellulose

Xanthan gum 0-5%

0-0.5% of flavoring agent

0 to 0.5 percent of water-soluble dye

0-1% of colloidal silicon dioxide

Magnesium stearate 0.5-5% all percentages are by weight.

Another exemplary sublingual tablet of the invention containing as active agent a salt such as the maleate salt of sumanirole or (R) -5, 6-dihydro-5- (methylamino) -4H-imidazo [4, 5-ij ] -quinoline-2 (1H) -thione has a core consisting of:

active agent 0.1-3% free base equivalent

Lactose monohydrate 50-85%

Pregelatinized starch 10-45%

Xanthan gum 0-5%

0-0.5% of flavoring agent

0 to 0.5 percent of water-soluble dye

0-1% of colloidal silicon dioxide

Magnesium stearate 0.5-5%

All percentages are by weight.

Yet another exemplary sublingual tablet of the invention containing as active agent a salt such as the maleate salt of sumanirole or (R) -5, 6-dihydro-5- (methylamino) -4H-imidazo [4, 5-ij ] -quinoline-2 (1H) -thione has a core consisting of:

active agent 0.1-3% free base equivalent

30-70% of microcrystalline cellulose

Pregelatinized starch 25-65%

0 to 10 percent of croscarmellose sodium

Xanthan gum 0-5%

0-0.5% of flavoring agent

0 to 0.5 percent of water-soluble dye

0-1% of colloidal silicon dioxide

Magnesium stearate 0.5-5% all percentages are by weight.

Examples

The following examples illustrate the invention but are not to be construed as limiting thereof. In these examples, "compound Z" refers to (R) -5, 6-dihydro-5- (methylamino) -4H-imidazo [4, 5-ij ] -quinoline-2 (1H) -thione maleate. All percentages are by weight unless otherwise indicated.

Example 1

A sublingual tablet formulation was prepared having the following composition:

compound Z1.11%

Avicel^TMpH-101 (microcrystalline cellulose) 46.71%

Colorcon starch 1500 (pregelatinized starch) 44.00%

Cross-linked sodium carboxymethylcellulose NF 5.00%

Colloidal silicon dioxide NF 0.50%

0.14 percent of cinnamon flavoring agent

Mint flavor 0.04%

Dye (cherry color #1632, Crompton & Knowles) 0.50%

Magnesium stearate 2.00%

The pregelatinized starch and dye were mixed in the high shear mixer for 2 minutes, or until mixed well. The following ingredients were then placed one by one on the resulting mixture in the high shear mixer: a compound Z; microcrystalline cellulose; colloidal silicon dioxide; croscarmellose sodium. Mixing in the high shear mixer was continued for an additional 2 minutes. If the dye did not disperse sufficiently into the resulting mixture, mixing was continued in 1 minute increments until good dye dispersion was observed. A small portion of the mixture is then removed and manually mixed with magnesium stearate to form a magnesium stearate premix. This premix was added to the high shear mixer along with the flavor and mixed for 1 minute to form a lubricated tablet material.

The lubricated tablet material was discharged from the high shear mixer and stored in a dry, sealed container until tableting began. Tablets were prepared by compression using a 12/32 inch (about 9mm) slightly curved pain/pain tool to the following specifications:

tablet weight 180mg

Hardness of 3-4SCU

The friability is less than 0.5%

Example 2

The sublingual tablets prepared according to example 1 were coated with a gel-forming gum coating according to the following procedure.

A coating solution having the following composition was prepared:

gellan gum (kellogel)^TM) 2.00％

0.13 percent of sodium citrate

0.40 percent of propylene glycol

Lecithin 0.20%

97.27 percent of deionized water

Deionized water was heated to 70 ℃. The other ingredients were added with stirring until all ingredients were uniformly dispersed. The coating solution obtained, having a solids content of 2.73%, was kept at a temperature of 70 ℃ during stirring and subsequent spraying.

700g of the tablet of example 1 was placed in a 12 inch (about 300mm) coating pan and preheated to a bed temperature of 60 ℃. The coating solution was sprayed onto the tablets under the following conditions:

the temperature of outlet air is 50-60 DEG C

Pot speed 16rpm

Air flow rate of 30-35cfm (0.84-0.98 m)³Minute/minute)

Atomizing air pressure 10psi (69kPa)

Peristaltic pump speed (setting): 15-20g/min

Spraying was continued until an amount of coating liquid equivalent to a weight gain of 1.2% had been applied. The resulting coated tablets were cooled to 30 ℃ before being discharged from the coating pan.

The tablets had an attractive shiny appearance with cherry red spots.

Example 3

A sublingual tablet formulation was prepared having the following composition:

compound Z1.05%

Mannitol, granule 70.00%

Sorbitol 16.57%

Hydroxypropyl cellulose, LH-11 type 7.00%

Xanthan gum 2.50%

Colloidal silicon dioxide NF 0.50%

0.14 percent of cinnamon flavoring agent

Mint flavor 0.04%

Dye (cherry color #1632, Crompton & Knowles) 0.20%

Magnesium stearate 2.00%

The mannitol and dye were mixed in the high shear mixer for 2 minutes or until mixed well. The following ingredients were then placed one by one on the resulting mixture in the high shear mixer: a compound Z; sorbitol; hydroxypropyl cellulose; xanthan gum; colloidal silica. Mixing in the high shear mixer was continued for an additional 2 minutes. If the dye did not disperse sufficiently throughout the resulting mixture, mixing was continued in 1 minute increments until good dye dispersion was observed. A small portion of the mixture is then removed and manually mixed with magnesium stearate to form a magnesium stearate premix. This premix was added to the high shear mixer along with the flavor and mixed for 1 minute to form a lubricated tablet material.

The lubricated tablet material was discharged from the high shear mixer and stored in a dry, sealed container until tableting began. Tablets were prepared by compression using a 12/32 inch (about 9mm) slightly curved pain/pain tool to the following specifications:

tablet weight 190mg

Hardness of 3-4SCU

The friability is less than 0.5%

Example 4

A sublingual tablet prepared according to example 3 was coated with a gel-forming coating according to the following procedure.

A coating solution having the following composition was prepared:

gellan gum (kellogel)^TM) 2.00％

0.13 percent of sodium citrate

0.40 percent of propylene glycol

Lecithin (Lipoid)^TMLS-100) 0.20％

0.30 percent of flavoring agent

96.97 percent of deionized water

Deionized water was heated to 70 ℃. The other ingredients were added with stirring until all ingredients were uniformly dispersed. The coating solution obtained, having a solids content of 3.03%, is kept at a temperature of 70 ℃ during stirring and subsequent spraying.

700g of the tablet of example 1 was placed in a 12 inch (about 300mm) coating pan and preheated to a bed temperature of 60 ℃. The coating solution was sprayed onto the tablets under the following conditions:

the temperature of outlet air is 50-60 DEG C

Pot speed 16rpm

Air flow rate of 30-35cfm (0.84-0.98 m)³Minute/minute)

Atomizing air pressure 10psi (69kPa)

Peristaltic pump speed: 15-20g/min

Spraying was continued until an amount of coating fluid equivalent to a weight gain of 1.36% had been applied. The resulting coated tablets were cooled to 30 ℃ before being discharged from the coating pan.

The tablets had an attractive shiny appearance with cherry red spots.

Example 5

A sublingual tablet formulation was prepared having the following composition:

compound Z0.43%

Avicel^TMPH-101 (microcrystalline cellulose) 47.39%

Colorcon starch 1500 (pregelatinized starch) 44.00%

Cross-linked sodium carboxymethylcellulose NF 5.00%

Colloidal silicon dioxide NF 0.50%

0.14 percent of cinnamon flavoring agent

Mint flavor 0.04%

Dye (cherry color #1632, Crompton & Knowles) 0.50%

Magnesium stearate 2.00%

The pregelatinized starch and dye were mixed in the high shear mixer for 2 minutes or until mixed well. The following ingredients were then placed one by one on the resulting mixture in the high shear mixer: a compound Z; microcrystalline cellulose; colloidal silicon dioxide; croscarmellose sodium. Mixing in the high shear mixer was continued for an additional 2 minutes. If the dye did not disperse sufficiently throughout the resulting mixture, mixing was continued in 1 minute increments until good dye dispersion was observed. A small portion of the mixture is then removed and manually mixed with magnesium stearate to form a magnesium stearate premix. This premix was hand sieved through a #20 mesh pharmaceutical sieve with flavor and then added to the high shear mixer and mixed for 1 minute to form a lubricated tablet material.

The lubricated tablet material was discharged from the high shear mixer and stored in a dry, sealed container until tableting began. Tablets were prepared by compression using a 12/32 inch (about 9mm) slightly curved pain/pain tool to the following specifications:

tablet weight 180mg

Hardness of 3.5-4SCU

The friability is less than 0.8%

Example 6

A sublingual tablet prepared according to example 5 was coated with a gel-forming coating according to the following procedure.

A coating solution having the following composition was prepared:

gellan gum (kellogel)^TM) 2.00％

0.13 percent of sodium citrate

0.40 percent of propylene glycol

Lecithin (Lipoid)^TMLS-100) 0.20％

0.30 percent of hot cinnamon flavoring agent

96.97 percent of deionized water

Deionized water was heated to 70 ℃. The other ingredients were added with stirring until all ingredients were uniformly dispersed. The coating solution obtained, having a solids content of 3.03%, is kept at a temperature of 70 ℃ during stirring and subsequent spraying.

7000g of the tablets of example 5 were placed in a 24 inch (about 600mm) coating pan and preheated to a bed temperature of 60 ℃. The coating solution was sprayed onto the tablets under the following conditions:

the temperature of outlet air is 48-55 DEG C

The pot speed is 10-14rpm, preferably 14rpm

Air flow rate of 300-400cfm (8.5-11.3 m)³Minute/minute)

The atomizing air pressure is 20-35psi (138 kPa and 242kPa),

preferably about 20psi

Peristaltic pump speed: 15-40 g/min/gun (2 spray gun system),

preferably 30-40 g/min/gun

The tablet bed temperature is 37-50 deg.C, preferably about 40 deg.C

The spraying was continued until an amount of coating liquid equivalent to a weight gain of 2.04% had been applied. The resulting coated tablets were cooled to 30 ℃ before being discharged from the coating pan.

The tablets had an attractive shiny appearance with cherry red spots.

Claims (29)

1. A pharmaceutical tablet comprising a core and a coating adhered thereto, wherein (a) the core comprises solid particles of a water-soluble dye dispersed in a matrix, (b) the coating comprises gellan gum; and the tablet has a speckled surface appearance.

2. A tablet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the core comprises a therapeutically and/or prophylactically effective amount of the drug substance.

3. The tablet of claim 2 wherein the drug is selected from the group consisting of ACE inhibitors; an alpha-adrenergic agonist; a beta-adrenergic agonist; an alpha-adrenergic blocker; a beta-adrenergic blocker; an alcohol inhibitor; an aldose reductase inhibitor; an aldosterone antagonist; an amino acid; an assimilating agent; narcotic and non-narcotic type analgesics; an anesthetic; anorectic agents; an antacid; an insect repellent; an anti-acne agent; an anti-allergic agent; anti-androgenic agents; anti-anginal drugs; anti-restlessness agents; antiarrhythmic agents; antiasthmatic; antibacterial agents and antibiotics; anti-alopecia and anti-baldness agents; an anti-amoebic; an antibody; anticholinergic agents; anticoagulants and blood diluents; anti-colitis drugs; an anticonvulsant; anti-cystitis agents; an antidepressant; an antidiabetic agent; antidiarrheal agents; antidiuretic drugs; antidote; antiemetic agents; anti-estrogen agents; antiflatulent drugs; an antifungal agent; an antigen; anti-glaucoma agents; an antihistamine; anti-hyperactivity drug; antihyperlipidemic agents; anti-hypertensive agents; anti-hyperthyroidism drugs; anti-hypotensive agents; anti-hypothyroidism agents; an anti-infective agent; steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; anti-malarial drugs; anti-migraine agents; an antineoplastic agent; anti-obesity agents; antiparkinsonian and anti-dyskinetic agents; anti-pneumonic drugs; an antiprotozoal agent; anti-itch agents; anti-psoriasis agent; antipsychotics; antipyretic drugs; antirheumatic agents; an anti-secretory agent; anti-shock agents; an anti-spasmodic agent; anti-thrombotic agents; anti-cancer agents; antitussives; anti-ulcer agents; an antiviral agent; anxiolytic drugs; a bactericidal drug; a bone densifier; bronchodilators; a calcium channel blocker; carbonic anhydrase inhibitors; cardiotonic and cardiac stimulant; a chemotherapeutic agent; a cholagogue; a cholinergic agent; a chronic fatigue syndrome therapeutic agent; a CNS stimulant; a coagulant; a contraceptive agent; a cystic fibrosis treating agent; a decongestant; a diuretic; dopamine receptor agonists; (ii) a dopamine receptor antagonist; an enzyme; an estrogen; expectorant; remedies for gastric hyperactive; a glucocorticoid; a hemostatic agent; HMG CoA reductase inhibitors; a hormone; hypnotic drugs; an immunomodulator; an immunosuppressant; a laxative; oral and periodontal disease medications; miotics; (ii) a monoamine oxidase inhibitor; a mucolytic agent; a therapeutic agent for multiple sclerosis; a muscle relaxant; mydriatic drugs; an anti-anesthetic; an NMDA receptor antagonist; an oligonucleotide; ophthalmic administration; an oxytocic; a peptide; polypeptides and proteins; a polysaccharide; a progestogen; prostaglandins; a protease inhibitor; a respiratory promoter; a sedative; serotonin uptake inhibitors; sex hormones, including androgens; a smoking cessation drug; a smooth muscle relaxant; a smooth muscle stimulant; a thrombolytic agent; an antipsychotic agent; a uricating agent; a therapeutic agent for urinary incontinence; a vasodilator; a vascular protectant; and mixtures thereof.

4. The tablet of claim 2 wherein the drug is a smoking cessation drug.

5. The tablet of claim 4, wherein the smoking cessation agent is selected from the group consisting of bupropion, ibogaine, nicotine, and metabolites thereof.

6. The tablet of claim 2 wherein the drug is an antibacterial drug.

7. The tablet of claim 6, wherein the antibacterial agent is oxazolidinone.

8. The tablet of claim 7 wherein the oxazolidinone is selected from the group consisting of epezolid, linezolid, n- [ (5S) -3- [ 3-fluoro-4- [4- (2-fluoroethyl) -3-oxo-1-piperazinyl ] phenyl-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl ] methyl ] acetamide, (S) -N- [ [3- [5- (3-pyridinyl) thiophen-2-yl ] -2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl ] methyl ] acetamide hydrochloride and (S) -N- [ [3- [5- (4-pyridinyl) pyridin-2-yl ] -2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl ] methyl ] acetamide hydrochloride.

9. A tablet as claimed in claim 2 wherein the drug is an anti-migraine agent.

10. The tablet of claim 9 wherein the anti-migraine agent is a 5-HT receptor agonist.

11. The tablet of claim 10, wherein the 5-HT receptor agonist is selected from almotriptan, eletriptan, fluvatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, or zolmitriptan.

12. The tablet of claim 2, wherein the drug is for treating or preventing an ophthalmic disorder.

13. The tablet of claim 12, wherein the drug is an anti-glaucoma drug or an ocular hypotensive drug.

14. The tablet of claim 13, wherein the anti-glaucoma drug or ocular pressure lowering drug is selected from the group consisting of adrenolone, apraclonidine, brimonidine, dipivefrine, acebutolol, adaprolol, allyllol, atenolol, betaxolol, bufalol, bufuralol, bunranolol, braalol, carteolol, carvedilol, sitalol, dextropropranolol, labetalol, levobunolol, metipranolol, metoprolol, nadolol, nifedilol, propranolol, timolol, metoprolol, toliprolol, vannolol, acetozamide, doxylamine, bimatoprost, prilat, travoprost, propamoprostone isopropyl and combinations thereof.

15. The tablet of claim 2 wherein the drug is an analgesic, an antipyretic or an anti-inflammatory.

16. The tablet of claim 15 wherein the analgesic, antipyretic or anti-inflammatory agent is selected from the group consisting of acetochlor, acetaminophen, e-acetamidohexanoic acid, paracetamol, p-acetamidophenyl salicylate, acetanilide, acetylsalicylic acid, S-cobalamin methionine, alclolic acid, alclomethasone, alfentanil, algestrol, allylphenylpiperidine, alminoprofen, alopridine, alfacidine, aluminum bis (acetylsalicylic) salicylate, acexol, amfenac, aminochlorothiazine, 3-amino-4-hydroxybutyric acid, 2-amino-4-methylpyridine, aminoproline, aminopyrine, amitriptyline, ammonium salicylate, ampiroxicam, guaminotolmetin, anilide, antipyrine, analgin, pirocin, beclomethasone, indac, benorilate, benoxaprofen, benorine, benoxaprofen, piroxicam, acetaminophen, acein, acerbazine, and mixtures thereof, Benproperdin, piroxicam, benzorphine, Belprofen, betamethasone, benemilast, alpha-bisabolol, bromfenac, p-bromoacetophenone, 5-bromosalicylic acetate, bromosaligenin, butexine, chlorocyclohexanepropionic acid, bucolone, budesonide, butylbenzene, butapropyzanilide, buprenorphine, butylacetanilide, butibufene, butorphanol, carbamazepine, carbifen, ibuprofen, caspera, celecoxib, chlorobutanol, chloroprednisolone, chloroethylbenzoxanone, choline salicylate, cinchophene, cinnamyl, trimaracin, tramadol, clidanac, clobetasol, clocortolone, clomethacin, lonicerazine, nicotinic acid, chlorophenylpyrrole, chloroprednisolone, clove, codeine methyl bromide, codeine phosphate, codeine sulfate, cortisone, valdecolonide, valdecoxides, and bromaroyl, Baroacetamide, deflazacort, dihydrodeoxymorphine, prednisolone, desoximetasone, dexamethasone, dextrodipiperidine dioxane, molsidacine, dezocine, bisamidopropionamide, diclofenac, benzimide pyrazole, bipyramid, diflunisal, acebutone diflucortole, dihydrocodeine, acetohydrocodone, dihydromorphine, aluminum dihydrogen acetylsalicylate, phenetole ethyl ester, methadol, dibutylamine, mofetil, diphenoxyone, diprocetyl, analgin, dibenzazole, indoxicam, emofazone, phenetole, glycyrrhetinic acid, pyrimidazole, etazocine, ethacryl, ethoxam, isoxelol, isoxelodine, ethorphine, etodolac, etofenamate, etoxynil, eugenol, dipheny-acetic acid, diphenfene, doxine, doxycycline, eugenol, dipheny-p, isofenac, doxifylline, doxycycline, dox, Clofenacet acetate, fendoxa, phenoxyphenylpropionic acid, fentanyl, fentiac acid, nonprolidinol, phenylbutazone, fluminofenamate, fluxmetasone, flulorodide, flufenamic acid, diflunisal, 9-defluorofumescensin, flunixin, flurnoprofen, fluocinonide, fluocinolone, fluocortolide, fluroethylsulfone, fluoromethalone, fluridone, flupirtine, fluprednidene, flurbiprofen, aldesyl, phosphate, gentisic acid, glafenine, gluckamepanid, glycol salicylate, guaiazoline, clomazone, chlorodiflunisal, bromofluridone, prednisolone, hydrocortisone, hydromorphone, hydroxypatidine, ibufenac acid, ibuprofen, brevicol, imidazole salicylate, indomethacin, fenbuconazole, triafenamic acid, flutriafenamic acid, flutriafol, flufenamic acid, isoladol, isomethadone, isonicotinin, isoxepac, isoxicam, ketonide, ketoprofen, tollgate, lactoparaisoxanide, lifloramine, levorphanol, lofentanil, chlorfenamic acid, lornoxicam, loxoprofen, lysine aspirin, maprenone, meclofenamic acid, medroxyprofen, meperidine, mesalamine, metazocine, methadone, methotrimebutine, methylprednisolone, methylthiophenzine acetic acid, methoxazine, methyloxymorphone, butorphanol, moxazoic acid, phenobizine, morphine hydrochloride, morphine sulfate, morpholine salicylate, muorphine, nabumetone, nalbuphine, salicylic acid-1-naphthyl ester, naproxen, cinnamylin, pingosine, nicomorphine, nifedipine, niflumin, 5 '-acetyl propoxy-2' -acetanilide, loxacinone, loxacin, loxacinone, loxacin, mepronics, mep, Norlevorphanol, normethadone, normorphine, nopiperidone, azosalicylic acid, opium, oxaciclovir, indoximic acid, oxaprozin, oxycodone, oxymorphone, oxyphenbutazone, opiate, paramethasone, guanabenzene, parecoxib, pasxamide, indomethacin, perizole, phenacetin, phenothasone, phenazocine, phenazopyridine hydrochloride, fenoxadine, phenpiridine, fenopirox, phenyl salicylate, phenylbutazone, phenyl salicylate, phenylpyranol, pyridoprofen, norgestrel, piperazinone, piroprofen, pirazolic acid, diphenpyrazamide, piroxicam, pranoprofen, prednicarbate, prednisolone valerate, prednisone, progluminide, pranoprazine, heptylpipethidine, propiverine, propisopropamide, propisopropoxide, phenoxiphenazopyr, piroxicam, prednisone, Proquinolon, phenothiazine propionic acid, propaxazole, raminone, remifentanil, pirimidyl methosulfate, rofecoxib, acetyl salicylamide, salicin, salicylamide o-acetic acid, salicylic acid sulfate, salsalate, savilin, cimetitret, sufentanil, sulfasalazine, sulindac, superoxide dismutase, suprofen, succinoden, talniflumate, tenidap, tenoxicam, tetramine, tetrandrine, thiazolidinone butazone, tiaprofenic acid, tiaramide, tilidine, tenodridine, hydrocortisone, tolfenamic acid, tolmetin, tramadol, triamcinolone, tropeptin, valdecoxib, virinol, biphenyl butyric acid, oxicyclo phenylpropionic acid, zatoprofen and zomepirac.

17. The tablet of claim 15, wherein the analgesic, antipyretic or anti-inflammatory agent is a selective COX-2 inhibitor.

18. The tablet of claim 17, wherein the selective COX-2 inhibitor is a compound of the formula:

wherein R is¹⁵Is methyl, amino or imide, R¹⁶Is hydrogen or C_1-4Alkyl or alkoxy, X is N or CR¹⁷Wherein R is¹⁷Is hydrogen or halogen, and Y and Z are independently carbon or nitrogen atoms, which are adjacent atoms of a five-or six-membered ring, which ring is unsubstituted or substituted in one or more positions by oxygen, halogen atoms, methyl or halomethyl.

19. The tablet of claim 17 wherein the selective COX-2 inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of celecoxib, deracoxib, valdecoxib, parecoxib, rofecoxib, etoricoxib, 2- (3, 5-difluorophenyl) -3- [4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl ] -2-cyclopenten-1-one, (S) -6, 8-dichloro-2- (trifluoromethyl) -2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid, 2- (3, 4-difluorophenyl) -4- (3-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-butoxy) -5- [4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl ] -3- (2H) -pyridazinone and salts thereof.

20. The tablet according to claim 2, wherein the drug is a drug for treating and/or preventing sexual dysfunction.

21. The tablet of claim 20 wherein the pharmaceutical agent is selected from the group consisting of a PDE5 inhibitor, a cyclic AMP activator, an alpha adrenergic antagonist, and a dopaminergic agonist.

22. The tablet of claim 20, wherein the drug is a compound of the formula:

wherein:

R¹、R²and R³Identical or different, is H, C optionally substituted by phenyl_1-6Alkyl radical, C_3-5Alkenyl or alkynyl or C_3-10Cycloalkyl, or R³As above, R¹And R²Cyclizing with the attached N atom to form pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, 4-methylpiperazinyl, or imidazolyl; a

X is H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, C_1-6Alkyl or alkoxy, CN, carbamoyl, carboxyl or C_1-6An alkylcarbonyl group;

a is CH, CH₂、CHF、CHCl、CHBr、CHI、CHCH₃、C＝O、C＝S、CSCH₃、C＝NH、CNH₂、CNHCH₃、CNHCOOCH₃、CNHCN、SO₂Or N;

b is CH, CH₂CHF, CHCl, CHBr, CHI, C-O, N, NH or NCH₃N is 0 or 1; and is

D is CH, CH₂CHF, CHCl, CHBr, CHI, C-O, O, N, NH or NCH₃。

23. The tablet of claim 20, wherein the drug is a compound of the formula:

wherein X is O or S.

24. The tablet of claim 1, which is suitable for oral administration.

25. The tablet of claim 1, which is suitable for oral administration.

26. A tablet according to claim 1 wherein the coating layer is present in an amount of 0.1 to 5% expressed as weight gain.

27. A tablet as claimed in claim 1 wherein the gellan gum constitutes from 25% to 100% by weight of the coating layer.

28. A tablet as claimed in claim 1 wherein the gellan gum constitutes from 50% to 100% by weight of the coating layer.

29. The tablet of claim 1, wherein the coating layer further comprises at least one additional excipient selected from the group consisting of buffering agents, plasticizers, dispersing agents, and emulsifiers.