Method for dip coating dosage forms

1. A method of producing a coated dosage form having a core and an outer coating on the surface of the coated dosage form, wherein the core comprises a pharmaceutical active ingredient and the outer coating comprises hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and a thickener selected from the group consisting of xanthan gum, carrageenan, and mixtures thereof, the method comprising:

(i) dipping the core into a dipping solution; and

(ii) drying the dipped core of step (i);

wherein the coated dosage form is substantially free of gelatin.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the outer coating is comprised of, based upon the total dry weight of the outer coating,

(a) from about 40 percent to about 99.5 percent of hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose; and

(b) from about 0.5 percent to about 5 percent of the thickener.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the thickener comprises xanthan gum.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the outer coating further comprises, based upon the total dry weight of the outer coating, up to about 40 percent of a plasticizer.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the plasticizer comprises propylene glycol.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the outer coating further comprises, based upon the total dry weight of the composition, up to about 14 percent of a coloring agent.

7. The method of claim 3 , wherein the outer coating further comprises, based upon the total dry weight of the composition, up to about 14 percent of a coloring agent.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the thickener comprises xanthan gum.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the outer coating further comprises, based upon the total dry weight of the outer coating, up to about 40 percent of a plasticizer.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, glycerin, sorbitol, triethyl citrate, tribuyl citrate, dibutyl sebecate, vegetable oils, surfactants, propylene glycol, mono acetate of glycerol, diacetate of glycerol, triacetate of glycerol, natural gums, and mixtures thereof.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the plasticizer comprises propylene glycol.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the outer coating further comprises, based upon the total dry weight of the composition, up to about 14 percent of a coloring agent.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the coloring agent is selected from the group consisting of azo dyes, quinopthalone dyes, triphenylmethane dyes, xanthene dyes, indigoid dyes, iron oxides, iron hydroxides, titanium dioxide, natural dyes, and mixtures thereof.

14. The method of claim 6 , wherein the coloring agent is selected from the group consisting of azo dyes, quinopthalone dyes, triphenylmethane dyes, xanthene dyes, indigoid dyes, iron oxides, iron hydroxides, titanium dioxide, natural dyes, and mixtures thereof.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the core is substantially covered with a subcoating prior to the dipping into the dipping solution.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the subcoating comprises materials selected from the group consisting of cellulose ethers, plasticizers, polycarbohydrates, pigments, opacifiers, and mixtures thereof.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the subcoating comprises materials selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, castor oil, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, maltodextrin, and mixtures thereof.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the subcoating is comprised of, based upon the total dry weight of the coated dosage form,

(a) from about 2 percent to about 8 percent of a water-soluble cellulose ether selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, and mixtures thereof;

(b) from about 0.1 percent to about 1 percent castor oil.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the subcoating is comprised of, based upon the total dry weight of the coated dosage form,

(a) from about 4 percent to about 6 percent hydroxypropylmethylcellulose; and

(b) from about 0.1 percent to about 1 percent castor oil.

20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the outer coating substantially covers the core.

21. The method of claim 1 , wherein the coated dosage form meets USP dissolution requirements for immediate release forms of the pharmaceutical active ingredient.

22. A method of producing a coated dosage form having a core and an outer coating on the surface of the coated dosage form, wherein the core comprises a pharmaceutical active ingredient and the outer coating comprises hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and a thickener selected from the group consisting of xanthan gum, carrageenan, and mixtures thereof, the method comprising:

(i) dipping the core into a dipping solution, wherein the dipping solution comprises the hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and the thickener; and

(ii) drying the dipped core of step (i);

wherein the core is substantially covered with a subcoating prior to the dipping into the dipping solution, and wherein the subcoating is comprised of, based upon the total dry weight of the subcoating,

(a) from about 20 percent to about 50 percent hydroxypropylmethylcellulose;

(b) from about 45 percent to about 75 percent maltodextrin; and

(c) from about 1 percent to about 10 percent PEG 400.

23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the subcoating is comprised of, based upon the total dry weight of the subcoating,

(a) from about 25 percent to about 40 percent hydroxyethylcellulose;

(b) from about 50 percent to about 70 percent maltodextrin;

(c) from about 5 percent to about 10 percent PEG 400.

24. A method of producing a coated dosage form having a core and an outer coating on the surface of the coated dosage form, wherein the core comprises a pharmaceutical active ingredient and the outer coating comprises hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and a thickener selected from the group consisting of xanthan gum, carrageenan, and mixtures thereof, the method comprising:

(i) dipping the core into a dipping solution; and

(ii) drying the dipped core of step (i);

wherein the dipping solution comprises, based upon the total weight of the solution,

(a) from about 10 percent to about 14 percent of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose; and

(b) from about 0.1 percent to about 0.14 percent of xanthan gum.

25. A method of producing a coated dosage form having a core and an outer coating on the surface of the coated dosage form, wherein the core comprises a pharmaceutical active ingredient and the outer coating comprises hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and a thickener selected from the group consisting of xanthan gum, carrageenan, and mixtures thereof, the method comprising:

(i) dipping the core into a dipping solution; and

(ii) drying the dipped core of step (i);

wherein the outer coating further comprises a weight gain enhancer selected from the group consisting of simethicone, polysorbate 80, and mixtures thereof.

26. A method of producing a coated dosage form having a core and an outer coating on the surface of the coated dosage form, wherein the core comprises a pharmaceutical active ingredient and the outer coating comprises hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and a thickener selected from the group consisting of xanthan gum, carrageenan, and mixtures thereof, the method comprising:

(i) dipping the core into a dipping solution; and

(ii) drying the dipped core of step (i)

wherein the outer coating has a surface gloss of at least 150.