LITHIUM SALT EXTENDED-RELEASE FORMULATIONS; METHODS OF MAKING; AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF

1 . An extended-release oral tablet, comprising

an extended-release polymer matrix portion comprising lithium carbonate and a controlled-release polymer; and

a gastroretentive portion comprising a swellable polymer;

wherein the tablet contains greater than 450 mg lithium carbonate per tablet.

2 . The tablet of claim 1 , in the form of a layered tablet comprising a first layer comprising the extended-release polymer matrix portion and a second layer comprising the gastroretentive portion.

3 . The tablet of claim 2 , in the form of a bilayer tablet.

4 . The tablet of claim 1 , wherein the gastroretentive portion is substantially free or free of the lithium salt.

5 . The tablet of claim 1 , wherein

the controlled-release polymer is a hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, a polyethylene oxide, or a combination thereof; and

the swellable polymer is a polyethylene oxide; a cellulose ether such as a hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and the like; a cellulose such as ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, sodium carboxy methyl cellulose; a carbomer; acacia; pectin; agar; gellan gum; guar gum; an alginate or alginic acid; acrylic acid derivatives such as polycarbophil (acrylic acid polymer crosslinked with divinyl glycol), and the like; chitosan; or a combination thereof.

6 . The tablet of claim 1 , wherein the tablet contains about 500 mg or more of lithium carbonate per tablet, about 600 mg or more of lithium carbonate, about 700 mg or more of lithium carbonate, about 800 mg or more of lithium carbonate, or about 900 mg lithium carbonate per tablet.

7 . The tablet of claim 1 , wherein

the gastroretentive portion further comprises a gas generating agent; and

each of the extended-release polymer matrix portion and the gastroretentive portion independently further comprises one or more of a binder, a filler, a lubricant, a glidant, a colorant, a disintegrant, or hydration agent.

8 . The tablet of claim 1 , suitable for once a day administration.

9 . A method of preparing an extended-release oral tablet, comprising:

providing a first blend comprising lithium carbonate and a controlled-release polymer;

providing a second blend comprising a swellable polymer; and

compressing the first blend and the second blend to form a bilayer tablet,

wherein the tablet contains greater than 450 mg lithium carbonate per tablet.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the tablet contains about 500 mg or more of lithium carbonate per tablet, about 600 mg or more of lithium carbonate, about 700 mg or more of lithium carbonate, about 800 mg or more of lithium carbonate, or about 900 mg lithium carbonate per tablet.

11 . A method of treating a subject in need thereof, comprising:

administering the tablet of claim 1 to the subject to treat depression or mania.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the tablet is administered to the subject once daily.

13 . An extended-release, bilayer oral tablet, comprising

a first layer comprising an extended-release polymer matrix portion comprising lithium carbonate and a controlled-release polymer; and

a second layer comprising a gastroretentive portion comprising a swellable polymer;

wherein the tablet contains greater than 450 mg lithium carbonate per tablet; and

a weight ratio of the extended-release polymer matrix portion to the gastroretentive portion is about 4:1 to about 1.5:1.

14 . The tablet of claim 13 , wherein the weight ratio of the extended-release polymer matrix portion to the gastroretentive portion is about 3.5:1 to about 2.5:1.

15 . The tablet of claim 13 , wherein the lithium carbonate is present in an amount of about 60 to about 90 wt % based on the total weight of the extended-release polymer matrix portion.

16 . The tablet of claim 13 , wherein the controlled-release polymer is present in the extended-release polymer matrix portion in an amount of about 8 to about 40 wt % based on the total weight of the extended-release polymer matrix portion.

17 . The tablet of claim 13 , wherein the controlled-release polymer is a cellulose ether.

18 . The tablet of claim 13 , wherein the gastroretentive portion comprises about 75 to about 99 wt % swellable polymer.

19 . The tablet of claim 13 , wherein the swellable polymer is a high molecular weight polyethylene oxide, a cellulose ether, or a combination thereof.

20 . A method of treating a subject in need thereof, comprising:

administering the tablet of claim 13 once daily to the subject to treat depression or mania.

21 . A method of treating a subject in need thereof, comprising:

administering the tablet of claim 13 once daily with food to the subject to treat depression or mania.