Abstract: A drug-impregnated ceramic to be embedded in a living body is disclosed, and includes a porous ceramic having pores with a pore size of 10 to 300 .mu.m, a drug impregnating the porous ceramic via the pores, and a surface layer for controlling the release of the drug. The surface layer is formed to cover at least a portion of the outer surface of the porous ceramic and has a porosity lower than that of the porous ceramic.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monolith transdermal therapeutic system for the delivery of permeable drugs, especially formoterol, in the form of a matrix system comprising three layers: a) a backing layer which is impermeable to the components of the adhesive layer b),b) an adhesive layer capable of releasing the drug and consisting of a permeable polymeric material which is compatible with the skin and contains at least one drug which is capable of permeation across the skin, a combination of eucalyptol having a purity of at least 70% with an additional flux enhancer and further optional pharmaceutical excipients, andc) a protective release liner which can be peeled from the adhesive contact layer b).

Abstract: An oral drug delivery system having delayed gastrointestinal transit comprising a non-continuous compressible element and an attached controlled release device and which in the expanded form resists gastrointestinal transit; and a modular system for use therein comprising a non-continuous compressible element and an attached receptacle means for receiving and holding a drug-containing orally administrable controlled release device and which in the expanded form resists gastric transit.

Abstract: Transdermal estrogen/progestin absorption dosage unit have been developed which comprise a backing layer, an adjoining polymer layer is an adhesive layer in which at least minimum effective dose of an estrogen is dissolved or microdispersed. Adhered to the polymer layer in an adhesive layer in which is dissolved and/or microdispersed at least minimum doses of progestin. Presently preferred is use of the natural estrogen, 17-beta-estradiol, or ethinyl estradiol or combinations thereof and of the progestin, norethindrone or norgestimate or combinations thereof. The units have biologically acceptable adhesive and polymer layers. The adhesive layer can have dispersed one or more skin permeation enhancing agents. A separating layer can optionally be used in making the dosage units, which separate space the adhesive and polymer layers, which permits estrogen tansmission from the polymer layer during treatment.