Abstract: A solid controlled release, oral dosage form, the dosage form comprising a therapeutically effective amount of hydromorphone or a salt thereof in a matrix wherein the dissolution rate in vitro of the dosage form, when measured by the USP Paddle Method of 100 rpm in 900 ml aqueous buffer (pH between 1.6 and 7.2) at 37.degree. C. is between 12.5% and 42.5% (by weight) hydromorphone released after 1 hour, between 25% and 55% (by weight) hydromorphone released after 2 hours, between 45% and 75% (by weight) hydromorphone released after 4 hours and between 55% and 85% (by weight) hydromorphone released after 6 hours, the in vitro release rate being independent of pH between pH 1.6 and 7.2 and chosen such that the peak plasma level of hydromorphone obtained in vivo occurs between 2 and 4 hours after administration of the dosage form.

Abstract: The release of therapeutically active agents from controlled release bases is extended by using a combination of a higher aliphatic alcohol and an acrylic resin as the base material.

Abstract: Novel substituted isoquinoline compounds are disclosed together with novel 2-phenylethylamides useful as precursors or intermediates for the production of the isoquinolines. The substituted isoquinolines exhibit activity in antagonizing the effects of platelet activating factor (PAF).

Abstract: A pharmaceutical iodophor preparation having predictable microbicidal effectiveness and long duration of action comprising polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine (PVPI), free iodine, a source of iodide ions and a source of iodate ions, the preparation having a ratio of available (titratable) iodine to iodide between 2:1 and 10:1, a pH between 5 and 6 and a free iodine concentration between 2 and 20 ppm, wherein the amount of iodate ion in the preparation is sufficient to maintain the free iodine concentration between 2 and 20 ppm for at least 12 months at 20.degree. C.

Abstract: A solid iodophor composition contains a water-soluble iodophor, especially povidone iodine, and at least one of a urea and a sugar alcohol, especially mannitol, sorbitol or xylitol. The composition may also contain a sugar such as sucrose or lactose.The advantage claimed in the ready solublility of the composition in water. This would allow the supply of iodophors in solid, rather than liquid, form.

Abstract: Iodine-containing germicidal preparations are provided with assured control of the content of equilibrium iodine in aqueous solution to be between 1 and 20 ppm, preferably 2-15 ppm so as to provide predetermined germicidal activity. The invention further comprises the determination of the content of equilibrium iodine in an aqueous iodophor solution by subjecting such solution to several extractions with different amounts of a water immiscible solvent for iodine, determining the concentrations of the equilibrium iodine in each of the amounts of the water immiscible solvent and extrapolating the concentration to a theoretical zero value which is a measure of the equilibrium iodine in the aqueous iodophor solution. The invention further comprises improved germicidal iodophor compositions comprising an iodophor, citric acid and iodate.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for the application of an oral pharmaceutical to the mucosa of the oral or nasal cavity, for sustained release there of the drug. The arrangement of the invention comprises a body which has a size and shape suitable for insertion into and retention in the oral or nasal cavity, the body being formed of granules of a higher aliphatic alcohol and a hydrated water soluble hydroxyalkyl cellulose having the drug distributed therethrough. This body is coated with a cellulose derivative which is adherent to the mucosa. As a consequence, upon insertion into the oral or nasal cavity, the body adheres to the mucosa and the drug is there slowly released and absorbed into the body. The arrangement is preferably in the form of a buccal tablet, particularly a kidney shaped buccal tablet. Any drug suitable for oral administration can be used, morphine being preferred. The cellulose derivative which is preferred is hydroxypropyl cellulose.

Abstract: A 6-thioxanthine of general formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof ##STR1## wherein R.sub.3 is a C.sub.2 to C.sub.6 alkyl, a C.sub.3 to C.sub.7 cycloalkyl group or a C.sub.4 to C.sub.8 cycloalkylalkyl group and R.sub.8 is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl, a C.sub.3 to C.sub.7 cycloalkyl group or a C.sub.4 to C.sub.8 cycloalkylalkyl group provided that when R.sub.3 is an ethyl, n-propyl or n-butyl group, R.sub.8 is a C.sub.3 to C.sub.6 alkyl, a C.sub.3 to C.sub.7 cycloalkyl group or a C.sub.4 to C.sub.8 cycloalkylalkyl group.These 3,8-disubstituted-6-thioxanthines have enhanced bronchodilator activity.

Abstract: Antihypertension action is achieved without diuresis by administration of a thiazide diuretic in an amount which while being sufficient to achieve antihypertension is insufficient to achieve diuresis. Such administration in a non-diuretic amount is effected in 4-8 consecutive hourly doses to achieve reduction of blood pressure without high urine output. The invention further relates to complexes of thiazides with mixed cation-anion exchange resins, to insoluble basic metal hydroxy thiazide salts, the salts of thiazide with calcium disodium edetate or disodium edetate, to molecular complexes of thiazides with long chain polymers such as hydroxy alkyl cellulose polymers, carboxy methyl cellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidone, to beta-adrenergic blocking amine-thiazide salts and to amiloride thiazide salts.

Abstract: A controlled release pharmaceutical composition contains a number of spheroids, the spheroids containing a water-insoluble drug dispersed in a controlled release matrix. The matrix contains between 70% and 99.5% (by weight) of microcrystalline cellulose, between 0.5% and 4% (by weight) of a cellulose derivative and, optionally, up to 26% of a sugar or a sugar alcohol.The water insoluble drug must dissolve in water (pH 5) at 20.degree. C. to a concentration of less than 1.0 mg ml-1, preferably less than 0.5 mg ml-1. Preferred drugs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, especially fenprofen calcium, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, diclofenac sodium, fenbufen, flurbiprofen, indomethancin, oxyphenbutazone, phenylbutazone or piroxicam.

Abstract: The release of therapeutically active agents from controlled release bases is extended by using a combination of a higher aliphatic alcohol and an acrylic resin as the base material.

Abstract: The microbicidal effectiveness of pharmaceutical iodophor preparations comprising an organic substance which reacts with iodine to form a complex thereof, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, iodine bound thereto in complex form, free iodine, and iodide ions, is assured by controlling the ratio of total iodine (complex bound iodine and free iodine) to iodide ions at between 2:1 and 10:1, this ratio being adjusted without chemical oxidizing agents such as iodate ions by anodic oxidation of a solution of the iodophor preparation and iodide ions. The resulting preparation can be free of chemical oxidizing ions such as iodate ions.

Abstract: A controlled release pharmaceutical composition comprising a plurality of film coated spheroids, the film coated spheroids comprising a 3-alkylxanthine, a non-water soluble spheronising agent and between 4% and 9% (by weight) water, wherein the in-vitro dissolution rate of the 3-alkylxanthine from the film coated spheroids, when measured by the USP Paddle Method at 100 rpm in 900 ml aqueous buffer (pH 6.5 at 37.degree. C.) is between 7.5% and 25.0% (by wt) release after 1 hour, between 22.5% and 45.0% (by wt) release after 2 hours, between 40.0% and 60.0% (by wt) release after 3 hours, between 50.0% and 75.0% (by wt) release after 4 hours, between 70.0% and 92.5% (by wt) release after 6 hours, and between 80.0% and 100.0% (by wt) release after 8 hours. Preferably the water content is between 4% and 8%, especially between 4% and 7% (by wt) of the film coated spheroid formulation.

Abstract: A solid controlled release, oral dosage form, the dosage form comprising a therapeutically effective amount of hydromorphone or a salt thereof in a matrix wherein the dissolution rate in vitro of the dosage form, when measured by the USP Paddle Method at 100 rpm in 900 ml aqueous buffer (pH between 1.6 and 7.2) at 37.degree. C. is between 12.5% and 42.5% (by weight) hydromorphone released after 1 hour, between 25% and 55% (by weight) hydromorphone released after 2 hours, between 45% and 75% (by weight) hydromorphone released after 4 hours and between 55% ad 85% (by weight) hydromorphone released after 6 hours, the in vitro release rate being independent of pH between pH 1.6 and 7.2 and chosen such that the peak plasma level of hydromorphone obtained in vivo occurs between 2 and 4 hours after administration of the dosage form.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition in the form of a multiphase (especially a bilayered, optionally coated) tablet. The tablet has a narcotic analgesic phase containing a therapeutically effective quantity of a narcotic analgesic or an analgesically effective salt thereof (e.g. codeine phosphate) and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory phase containing a therapeutically effective quantity of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory carboxylic acid or an anti-inflammatory salt or ester thereof (e.g. ibuprofen). The narcotic analgesic phase is free from a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory carboxylic acid or salt or ester thereof, stearic acid and stearate salt, and the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory phase is free from a narcotic analgesic or salt thereof, stearic acid and a stearate salt. Further, both the narcotic analgesic phase and the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory phase contain a self-lubricating, compression aid, especially a self-lubricating, direct compression aid, such as microcrystalline cellulose.

Abstract: A solid controlled release, oral dosage form, the dosage form comprising an analgesically effective amount of dihydrocodeine or a salt thereof in a controlled release matrix wherein the dissolution rate in vitro of the dosage form, when measured by the USP Paddle Method at 100 rpm in 900 ml aqueous buffer (pH between 1.6 and 7.2) at 37.degree. C. is between 25% and 60% (by weight) dihydrocodeine released after 1 hour, between 45% and 80% (by weight) dihydrocodeine released after 2 hours, between 60% and 90% (by weight) dihydrocodeine released after 3 hours and between 70% and 100% (by weight) dihydrocodeine released after 4 hours, the in vitro release rate being independent of pH between pH 1.6 and 7.2 and chosen such that the peak plasma level of dihydrocodeine obtained in vivo occurs between 2 and 4 hours after administration of the dosage form.

Abstract: A solid, controlled release, pharmaceutical composition comprising an active ingredient incorporated in a matrix comprising a first substance selected from a water soluble polydextrose and a water soluble cyclodextrin and a second substance selected from a C.sub.12 -C.sub.36 fatty alcohol and a polyalkylene glycol.Preferably the first substance is a cyclodextrin, especially a beta-cyclodextrin, while the second substance is a C.sub.14 -C.sub.22 fatty alcohol, especially stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, cetostearyl alcohol or myristyl alcohol. The matrix may also contain a cellulose ether, especially a hydroxyalkylcellulose or a carboxyalkylcellulose.

Abstract: A solid, controlled release pharmaceutical composition is provided with enhanced levels of control over drug release. The composition comprises an acid addition salt or a quarternary ammonium salt of an organic base drug complexed with an anionic surfactant and distributed in a matrix of a hydrophilic polymer. The complex formation between the drug which is preferably an acid addition salt of an organic an organic amine, and the surfactant, which is preferably a sulphosuccinate, distributed in the hydrophilic polymer matrix, which is preferably a water soluble hydroxyalkylcelulose ether results in a composition with excellent controlled released characteristics.

Abstract: A solid, controlled release, pharmaceutical composition comprising an active ingredient incorporated in a controlled release matrix comprising a water soluble polydextrose.The controlled release matrix may also contain at least one of a digestibele C.sub.8 --C.sub.50 substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon, especially a C.sub.12 --C.sub.36 fatty alcohol, and a polyalkylene glycol, especially polyethylene glycol. Optionally, the matrix may contain a cellulose ether, especially a hydroxyalkylcellulose or a carboxyalkylcellulose.