Abstract: A chewing gum composition adapted to supply a medicament to the oral cavity for local application thereto or for buccal absorption of said medicament which comprises a chewing gum base, an orally administrable medicament, a taste masking generator of carbon dioxide and optionally a taste bud desensitizing composition.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the absorption of nutritional elements, principally food, from the gastrointesinal tract is disclosed which comprises ingesting perfluorodecalin in an amount sufficient to form a nutritional element-impermeable film thereof on at least a substantial part of the inner wall of the upper intestine and maintaining the film for a time long enough to inhibit the absorption from the gastrointestinal tract of a significant proportion of the ingested nutritional elements. An emulsion dosage form is preferred for carrying out this method, which emulsion contains perfluorodecalin, water, and a non-toxic emulsifier, preferably Pluronic F-68, and optionally flavoring and/or coloring agents.