SYSTEM FOR UPPER INTESTINAL DELIVERY OF ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

1 . A preparation for releasing iron in the upper intestine, the preparation comprising:

an oral dosage form having an external coating;

a coating matrix enveloping the oral dosage form; and

iron embedded in the coating matrix,

wherein the active substance disintegrates from the coating matrix within at least one of the stomach, duodenum, upper jejunum, or any combination thereof.

2 . The preparation of claim 1 wherein the coating matrix contains all of the iron present in the preparation.

3 . The preparation of claim 1 wherein the coating matrix contains only a portion of the iron present in the preparation.

4 . The preparation of claim 1 , wherein the oral dosage form comprises a soft gel capsule, a hard shell gel capsule, a caplet, or a tablet.

5 . The preparation of claim 1 , wherein the coating matrix comprises a matrix formed between the external coating and a polymer soluble in a pH less than about 5.0.

6 . The preparation of claim 1 , wherein the coating matrix comprises a matrix formed between the external coating and a polymer soluble in a pH less than about 3.0.

7 . The preparation of claim 1 , wherein the iron comprises at least one of a ferrous salt, a ferrous complex, a ferrous chelate, a ferric salt, a ferric complex, a ferric chelate, or any combination thereof.

8 . The preparation of claim 7 , wherein the ferrous chelate comprises ferrous bisglycinate, ferrous asparto-glycinate, or any combination thereof.

9 . The preparation of claim 1 , wherein disintegration of the iron from the coating matrix begins from about 1 minute to about 15 minutes after ingestion.

10 . The preparation of claim 1 , wherein disintegration of the iron from the coating matrix is from about 40% to about 100% complete 60 minutes after ingestion.

11 . The preparation of claim 1 , wherein disintegration of the iron from the coating matrix is from about 60% to about 100% complete 60 minutes after ingestion.

12 . The preparation of claim 1 , wherein disintegration of the iron from the coating matrix is from about 80% to about 100% complete 60 minutes after ingestion.

13 . The preparation of claim 1 , wherein the coating matrix comprises an iron content, and dissolution of the iron comprises from about 20% to about 100% of the iron content within 30 minutes after ingestion.

14 . The preparation of claim 1 , wherein dissolution of the iron comprises from about 40% to about 100% of the iron content within 60 minutes after ingestion.

15 . The preparation of claim 1 , wherein dissolution of the iron comprises from about 60% to about 100% of the iron content within 60 minutes after ingestion.

16 . The preparation of claim 1 , wherein dissolution of the iron comprises from about 80% to about 100% of the iron content within 60 minutes after ingestion.

17 . The preparation of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a fish oil additive, a calcium additive, sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, silicon dioxide, and stearic acid, or any combination thereof.

18 . A method of delivering iron to an upper intestinal region of a subject, the method comprising:

forming a preparation, wherein the preparation comprises:

an oral dosage form having an external coating,

a coating matrix enveloping the oral dosage form, and

iron embedded in the coating matrix; and

administering the preparation to the subject,

wherein the iron disintegrates from the coating matrix within the upper intestinal region of the subject.

19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the oral dosage form comprises a soft gel capsule, a hard shell gel capsule, a caplet, or a tablet.

20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the coating matrix comprises a matrix formed between the external coating and a polymer soluble in a pH less than about 5.0.

21 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the coating matrix comprises a matrix formed between the external coating and a polymer soluble in a pH less than about 3.0.