Abstract: An osmotic device is disclosed comprising a first composition, and a second composition with the beneficial drug isradipine in the first composition.

Abstract: A delivery system is disclosed for delivering a beneficial agent to an environment of use. The delivery system comprises a plurality of tiny dosage forms comprising a beneficial agent. The delivery system also comprises means for maintaining (a) the physical and chemical integrity of the dosage form and for (b) inhibiting delivery of the beneficial agent during non-performance of the delivery system.

Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed comprising nilvadipine for administering to a patient in need of cardiovascular therapy.

Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed comprising a coat that surrounds a drug. The coat comprises a subcoat and an overcoat thermally annealed to provide a single unit coat around the drug.

Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed comprising the antidiabetic drug glipizide for administering to a patient in need of glipizide therapy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a self-contained suction pump for drawing a fluid, such as a sample of biological fluid from an animal body, and to a method for obtaining a fluid sample. The present invention is particularly useful for repetitive or continuous collection of a series of samples over a period of time.

Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed for delivering the beneficial drugs pseudoephedrine and brompheniramine to a biological environment of use.

Abstract: A dispenser for use in a fluid environment which is capable of delivery of a plurality of discrete drug-containing units in any desired delivery pattern or profile.

Abstract: An osmotic device for delivering a beneficial drug, such as an anti-fungal, into the mouth of a human patient is disclosed. The device has a size and shape adapting it to be comfortably retained in the mouth for extended periods of time. The device comprises a wall surrounding a compartment housing a layer of an agent that is insoluble to very soluble in aqueous biological fluid, e.g., saliva, and a layer of a fluid swellable, hydrophilic polymer. A passageway in the wall connects the agent with the exterior of the device. The wall is permeable to the passage of aqueous biological fluid but substantially impermeable to the passage of the hydrophilic polymer. In one embodiment the beneficial agent has a different color than the hydrophilic polymer. The wall is sufficiently translucent to permit the patient to see the amount of drug/beneficial agent remaining to be delivered.

Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed comprising a first composition comprising two different polyethylene oxide osmopolymers for delivering a drug at a controlled rate over time.

Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed comprising a cured emulsion that coat that surrounds a drug. The emulsion comprises a lower alkyl acrylate-lower alkyl methacrylate copolymer and ethyl cellulose. The emulsion optionally comprises a hydrophilic polymer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an active agent dispenser for use in a fluid-containing environment, which dispenser comprises a rigid housing, a plurality of movable active agent units filling a portion of the housing, a fluid-activated driving member for dispensing the active agent units filling the remainder of the housing, and an active agent unit outlet means. In the present invention, each active agent unit is comprised of an active agent dosage or filling contained within a fluid-impermeable cup-shaped member, the cup-shaped members being oriented within the housing with the base of the cup-shaped members facing the outlet means.

Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed comprising a coat that surrounds a drug. The coat comprises a subcoat and an overcoat thermally annealed to provide a single unit coat around the drug.

Abstract: Rate controlled transdermal nicotine delivery systems are disclosed which utilize an in-line adhesive to maintain the systems on the skin. The initial equilibrated concentration of nicotine in the nicotine reservoir and the adhesive is below saturation, preferably at a thermodynamic activity no greater than 0.50, and the reservoir comprises the nicotine dissolved in a material with respect to which the rate controlling element of the device is substantially impermeable. In preferred embodiments the initial loading of nicotine in the reservoir is sufficient to prevent the activity of the nicotine in the reservoir from decreasing by more than about 75% and preferably no more than about 25% during the predetermined period of administration; and the thickness of the adhesive, rate controlling membrane and reservoir layers are selected so that at least 50% and, preferably at least 75% of the initial equilibrated nicotine loading is in the reservoir layer.

Abstract: A dispensing system is disclosed comprising a wall surrounding a lumen. The lumen comprises (1) a thermo responsive composition comprising a beneficial agent, (2) means for occupying space in the lumen for pushing the thermo responsive composition from the dispensing system, and (3) means for enhancing the amount of the beneficial agent dispensed from the system positioned between the thermo responsive composition and the means for occupying space.

Abstract: A method of preventing sensitization in transdermal drug delivery by the inclusion of a corticosteroid, which wll be co-extensively coadministered with the sensitizing agent.

Abstract: A delivery device is disclosed for delivering a beneficial agent to an animal. The device comprises a wall housing an internal space, a beneficial agent in the space, expandable means in the space for causing the beneficial agent to be delivered from the device and means in the space for shielding the beneficial agent from fluid.

Abstract: A formulation chamber is disclosed comprising a wall surrounding a lumen containing a device for delivering a beneficial agent. The chamber has an inlet for admitting a fluid into the chamber and an outlet for letting an agent formulation leave the chamber. The chamber is adapted for use in an intravenous delivery system for delivering an agent formulation to a patient.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for the synthesis of 2,2-dialkoxy cyclic ortho esters derived from lactones which comprises reacting trialkyl orthoformate with boron trifluoride to give dialkoxymethylium tetrafluoroborate; reacting dialkoxymethylium tetrafluoroborate with a lactone to give the corresponding O-alkyllactonium tetrafluoroborate; and reacting the O-alkyllactonium tetrafluoroborate with an alkoxide, or alternatively with an alkanol in the presence of a base; wherein the first two steps of the process of the invention are conducted in the absence of solvents, other than the reactants themselves. The third step may also optionally be run without solvents.The invention is also directed to the preparation of the O-alkyllactonium tetrafluoroborate in one reaction vessel; that is, the boron trifluoride is added to the trialkyl orthoformate and the lactone in a single reaction vessel.

Abstract: A dosage form comprising (1) an immediately available dose of a beneficial drug followed by a timed delayed dose of drug, or (2) a timed delayed dose of drug.