Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed comprising a wall that surrounds a bilayer core with exit passageway for communicating with the bilayer core in the wall.

Abstract: A delivery system is disclosed for delivering a beneficial agent to an animal. The delivery system comprises a wall that surrounds a lumen, said wall comprising a composition that limits the passage of fluid into the system and a composition that permits the passage of fluid into the system. The lumen comprises a beneficial agent and an expandable member. The delivery system comprises an exit means for delivering the beneficial agent.

Abstract: A method is described for delivering a beneficial agent, such as an antiinflammatory agent, to the site of a painful condition in the oral cavity of a human being that utilizes an oral dosage form having an immediately releasable topical anesthetic and a sustained release beneficial agent. The topical anesthetic is released substantially independently of the beneficial agent to provide immediate pain relief and the application of the beneficial agent is continued over a long period of time.

Abstract: Improved methods of ionophoretic drug delivery are described. By the intentional selection of drug(s) with specific characteristics, of ionotophoresis device, components or both permits the efficiency of drug delivery is increased.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a dosage form for the management of epilepsies wherein the dosage form comprises administering valproic acid or a valproic acid derivative at a continuous rate over an extended time.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the oral administration of drugs and other active agents are provided. The compositions comprise an active agent carrier particle attached to a binding moiety which binds specifically to a target molecule present on the surface of a mammalian enterocyte. The binding moiety binds to the target molecule with a binding affinity or avidity sufficient to initiate endocytosis or phagocytosis of the particulate active agent carrier so that the carrier will be absorbed by the enterocyte. The active agent will then be released from the carrier to the host's systemic circulation. In this way, degradation of degradation-sensitive drugs, such as polypeptides, in the intestines can be avoided while absorption of proteins and polypeptides from the intestinal tract is increased.

Abstract: A hydromorphone composition, a hydromorphone dosage form and a method for administering hydromorphone are disclosed, indicated for the management of pain.

Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed for administering 10 ng to 1200 mg tacrine to a patient in need of tacrine therapy.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming delivery ports in beneficial agent dispensers with a laser beam. The apparatus includes a conveyor conveying the dispensers. The dispensers have a compartment formed by a wall and contain a beneficial agent to be delivered. A laser source produces laser energy to form a channel at least partially surrounding a removable central plug. The channel and the removable plug define the delivery port in the beneficial agent dispenser.

Abstract: An electrotransport delivery device (410) includes control circuitry for discontinuously delivering a beneficial agent (eg, a drug) through a body surface (eg, skin 400). For example, the device may be the type which is manually activated by the patient or other medical personnel to activate electrotransport drug delivery. Once electrotransport delivery has been activated, a timer (221) counts a transition interval, typically about one minute, during which the device is allowed to operate and the impedance of the body surface (400) is allowed to stabilize. Thereafter, the electrotransport current and voltage are then monitored and compared to predetermined limits. Allowing for the transition interval permits tighter tolerances in monitoring the applied current.

Abstract: An electrotransport drug delivery device which delivers an anti-inflammatory agent in order to reduce skin irritation associated with electrotransport delivery of the drug is provided. The anti-inflammatory agent is selected from hydrocortisone, esters of hydrocortisone and salts thereof.

Abstract: A dosage form is provided for administering a drug of the formula ##STR1## to a patient to produce an anxiolytic benefit in the patient.

Abstract: A composition of matter for application to a body surface or membrane to coadminister an estrogen and progesterone by permeation through the body surface or membrane, the composition comprising, in combination, the estrogen and progesterone to be administered, in a therapeutically effective amount; and a permeation-enhancing mixture comprising a monoglyceride or a mixture of monoglycerides, and a lactate ester or a mixture of lactate esters at specific concentrations. The composition of matter is used to provide hormone replacement therapy to a woman.

Abstract: A composition comprising oxybutynin and a device comprising oxybutynin are disclosed for oxybutynin therapy.

Abstract: A composition comprising morphine; and a dosage form comprising morphine are disclosed for morphine therapy. A method of using the composition and the dosage form are disclosed and indicated for morphine therapy.

Abstract: A composition comprises an agent to be delivered through a body surface and an electrotransport enhancer having a hydrophobic tail and a polar head of specific characteristics. An electrotransport delivery device is also provided having a reservoir comprising the agent to be delivered and the electrotransport enhancer of the invention. The electrotransport enhancers increase the electrotransport delivery rate of the agent through the surface while reducing the electrical resistance of the surface during electrotransport of the agent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an active agent dosage form which is useful for the prolonged delivery of an active agent formulation to a fluid environment of use. The active agent dosage form is a matrix that has on its surface two or more insoluble bands. The invention is also directed to the method for making the active agent dosage form.

Abstract: An implantable dispenser is enclosed comprising a wall surrounding a compartment containing a first composition comprising a beneficial agent, an oil, a cosolvent and a polymer gellant, a second expandable composition, a third boundary maintaining composition between the first and second composition, and an exit port.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved fluid-imbibing dispensing device for delivering a beneficial agent to a biological environment of use, the dispensing device being of the type having a housing which includes a fluid-impermeable first wall section with an open end and a fluid-permeable second wall section with an open end, an internal compartment formed by the first and second wall sections, exit means in the housing, a beneficial agent in that portion of the compartment formed by the first wall section, expandable driving means in that portion of the compartment formed by the second wall section, and a partition layer between the beneficial agent and the expandable driving means; wherein the improvement comprises the first wall section being comprised of an extremely fluid-impermeable material and the open end of each of the first wall section and the second wall section having reciprocally tapered edges one with the other to form a tapered lap joint for mating engagement, the tapered lap join