Polymer Composition And Dosage Forms Comprising The Same
A composition comprising a high molecular weight, water soluble polymer having a cloud point from about 20 to about 90° C. and a gelling polymer is provided. The composition may be used as a component of a pharmaceutical dosage form, such as the shell of a dosage form, or as an edible matrix, i.e., a pharmaceutical dosage form per se.
1 - 43 . (canceled)
44 . A process for preparing a dosage form, which comprises coating a core with an aqueous dispersion of a high molecular weight, water soluble polymer in a gelling polymer at a temperature above the cloud point of the high molecular weight water soluble polymer, and then cooling the coated core.
45 . The process of claim 44 , wherein the high molecular weight, water soluble polymer is selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof.
46 . The process of claim 44 , wherein the high molecular weight, water soluble polymer comprises polyvinyl alcohol having a weight average molecular weight from about 30,000 to about 200,000.
47 . The process of claim 44 , wherein the cloud point of the high molecular weight, water soluble polymer is about 20° C. to about 90° C.
48 . The process of claim 44 , wherein the gelling polymer is a high temperature setting anionic polymer.
49 . The process of claim 44 , wherein the gelling polymer is selected from the group consisting of carrageenan, agar, gellan gum, combinations of carrageenan and locust bean gum, and mixtures thereof.
50 . The process of claim 44 , wherein the aqueous dispersion comprises about 15 to about 40 weight percent solids.
51 . The process of claim 44 , wherein the high molecular weight water soluble polymer comprises about 15 to about 19 weight percent of the total weight of the aqueous dispersion.
52 . The process of claim 44 , wherein the gelling polymer comprises about 1 to about 5 weight percent of the total weight of the aqueous dispersion.
53 . The process of claim 44 , wherein the aqueous dispersion further comprises an inorganic cation.
54 . The process of claim 53 , wherein the inorganic cation is selected from the group consisting of potassium cation, calcium cation, and mixtures thereof.
55 . The process of claim 44 , wherein the aqueous dispersion further comprises a water-insoluble polymer.
56 . The process of claim 55 , wherein the water-insoluble polymer is selected from the group consisting of ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, and mixtures thereof.
57 . The process of claim 44 , wherein core is coated with the aqueous dispersion by molding.