Crush resistant delayed-release dosage forms

1 . A dosage form comprising a physiologically effective amount of a physiologically active substance (A), a synthetic, semi-synthetic or natural polymer (C), optionally one or more physiologically acceptable auxiliary substances (B) and optionally a synthetic, semi-synthetic or natural wax (D), wherein the dosage form exhibits a resistance to crushing of at least 400 N and wherein under physiological conditions the release of the physiologically active substance (A) from the dosage form is at least partially delayed.

2 . The dosage form according to claim 1 , which exhibits a resistance to crushing of at least 500 N.

3 . The dosage form according to claim 1 , which is in the form of a tablet.

4 . The dosage form according to claim 1 which is in multiparticulate form, the individual particles exhibiting a resistance to crushing of at least 400 N.

5 . The dosage form according to claim 4 , wherein the particles are pressed into tablets or packaged in capsules.

6 . The dosage form according to claim 1 , wherein polymer (C) is selected from the group consisting of polyalkylene oxide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyacrylate, the copolymers thereof and mixtures thereof.

7 . The dosage form according to claim 1 , wherein polymer (C) is an polyalkylene oxide selected from the group consisting of polymethylene oxide, polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, the copolymers thereof, the block-copolymers thereof, and the mixtures of any of the foregoing.

8 . The dosage form according to claim 6 , wherein polymer (C) has a molecular weight of at least 0.5 million according to rheological measurements.

9 . The dosage form according to claim 1 , which comprises a tubular domain and a core located therein, wherein the tubular domain is connected with the core in a seamless manner and the material forming the tubular domain and the material forming the core have substantially the same chemical composition but different morphology.

10 . The dosage form according to claim 9 , wherein the material forming the tubular domain and the material forming the core have different optical properties.

11 . The dosage form according to claim 9 , wherein the thickness of the tubular domain is within the range of 0.1 to 4 mm.

12 . The dosage form according to claim 1 , wherein upon storage for at least 12 hour at a temperature of 20° C. below the melting range of the mixture of components (A), (C), optionally (B) and optionally (D) the volume of the dosage form increases by not more than 20%.

13 . The dosage form according to claim 1 , wherein wax (D) is at least one synthetic, semi-synthetic or natural wax with a softening point of at least 50° C.

14 . The dosage form according to claim 13 , wherein wax (D) is carnauba wax or beeswax.

15 . The dosage form according to claim 1 , wherein substance (A) is present in a delayed-release matrix.

16 . The dosage form according to claim 15 , wherein the delayed-release matrix comprises polymer (C) and/or the optionally present wax (D).

17 . The dosage form according to claim 1 , wherein after 5 hours under physiological conditions it has released not more than 99% of substance (A).

18 . The dosage form according to claim 1 , wherein substance (A) is a nutritional supplement or a pharmaceutical substance.

19 . The dosage form according to claim 18 , wherein substance (A) is selected from the group consisting of agents for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the alimentary system and metabolism; agents for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the blood and the blood forming organs; agents for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the cardiovascular system; dermatologicals; agents for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the genitourinary system and sex hormones; systemic hormone preparations excluding sex hormones and insulins; antiinfectives for systemic use; antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents; agents for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the musculo-skeletal system; agents for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the nervous system; antiparasitic products, insecticides and repellents; agents for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the respiratory system; agents for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the sensory organs; general diet products and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals.

20 . A process for the production of a dosage form according to claim 1 comprising the following steps:

(a) mixing of component (A), (C), optionally (B) and optionally (D);

(b) optionally preforming the mixture obtained from step (a), preferably by applying heat and/or force to the mixture obtained from step (a), the quantity of heat supplied preferably not being sufficient to heat component (C) up to its softening point;

(c) hardening the mixture by applying heat and force, where the heat is supplied during and/or before the application of force and the quantity of heat supplied is sufficient to heat component (C) at least up to its softening point;

(d) optionally singulating the hardened mixture;

(e) optionally shaping the dosage form; and

(f) optionally providing a film coating.

21 . The process according to claim 20 , wherein step (c) is performed by means of a twin-screw-extruder or a planetary-gear extruder.

22 . The process according to claim 21 , wherein step (e) is performed in the plasticized state of the mixture of components (A), (C), optionally (B) and optionally (D).

23 . The process according to claim 20 , wherein step (c) is performed by the effect of ultrasound and force.

24 . The product of the process of claim 20 .

25 . The product of the process of claim 21 .

26 . The product of the process of claim 22 .

27 . The product of the process of claim 23 .

28 . A method of preventing the misuse or abuse of a dosage form containing a physiologically active substance (A), due to comminution of the dosage form by mechanical action comprising administering the active substance to a patient in need thereof in a dosage form in accordance with claim 1 .

29 . The method according to claim 28 , wherein the mechanical action is selected from the group consisting of chewing, grinding in a mortar, pounding, and using apparatuses for pulverising conventional dosage forms.

30 . A method for the prophylaxis and/or the treatment of a disorder treatable by the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an agent capable of treating such disorder comprising administering a dosage form according to claim 1 to prevent the unintentional disruption of the controlled release mechanism of the physiologically active substance (A) which can result from crushing or chewing the dosage form.

31 . A method of preventing an accidental overdose of a physiologically active substance comprising administering the active substance to a patient in need thereof in a dosage form in accordance with claim 1 .

32 . A method of preventing the misuse or abuse of a physiologically active substance comprising administering the active substance to a patient in need thereof in a dosage form in accordance with claim 1 .

33 . A method of preventing the disruption of a controlled release mechanism in a dosage form comprising a physiologically active substance intended for controlled release of such active substance comprising administering the active substance in a dosage form according to claim 1 .