Abstract: Controlled release oral dosage forms are provided for the continuous, sustained administration of a pharmacologically active agent to the upper gastrointestinal tract of a patient in whom the fed mode as been induced. The majority of the agent is delivered, on an extended release basis, to the stomach, duodenum and upper regions of the small intestine, with drug delivery in the lower gastrointestinal tract and colon substantially restricted. The dosage form comprises a matrix of a biocompatible, hydrophilic, erodible polymer with an active agent incorporated therein, wherein the polymer is one that both swells in the presence of water and gradually erodes over a time period of hours, with swelling and erosion commencing upon contact with gastric fluid, and drug release rate primarily controlled by erosion rate.

Abstract: Drug tablets that include a prolonged-release core and an immediate-release layer or shell are prepared with a thin barrier layer of drug-free polymer between the prolonged-release and immediate-release portions of the tablet. The barrier layer is penetrable by gastrointestinal fluid, thereby providing full access of the gastrointestinal fluid to the prolonged-release core, but remains intact during the application of the immediate-release layer, substantially reducing or eliminating any penetration of the immediate-release drug into the prolonged-release portion.

Abstract: Drugs are formulated as oral dosage forms for controlled release in which the release rate limiting portion is a shell surrounding the drug-containing core. The shell releases drug from the core by permitting diffusion of the drug from the core. The shell also motes gastric retention of the dosage form by swelling upon imbibition of gastric fluid to size that is retained in the stomach during the postprandial or fed mode.

Abstract: Drugs are formulated as oral dosage forms for controlled release in which the release rate limiting portion is a shell surrounding the drug-containing core. The shell releases drug from the core by permitting diffusion of the drug from the core. The shell also motes gastric retention of the dosage form by swelling upon imbibition of gastric fluid to size that is retained in the stomach during the postprandial or fed mode.

Abstract: Drug tablets that include a prolonged-release core and an immediate-release layer or shell are prepared with a thin barrier layer of drug-free polymer between the prolonged-release and immediate-release portions of the tablet. The barrier layer is penetrable by gastrointestinal fluid, thereby providing full access of the gastrointestinal fluid to the prolonged-release core, but remains intact during the application of the immediate-release layer, substantially reducing or eliminating any penetration of the immediate-release drug into the prolonged-release portion.

Abstract: Drug tablets that include a prolonged-release core and an immediate-release layer or shell are prepared with a thin barrier layer of drug-free polymer between the prolonged-release and immediate-release portions of the tablet. The barrier layer is penetrable by gastrointestinal fluid, thereby providing full access of the gastrointestinal fluid to the prolonged-release core, but remains intact during the application of the immediate-release layer, substantially reducing or eliminating any penetration of the immediate-release drug into the prolonged-release portion.

Abstract: Drugs are formulated as oral dosage forms for controlled release in which the release rate limiting portion is a shell surrounding the drug-containing core. The shell releases drug from the core by permitting diffusion of the drug from the core. The shell also motes gastric retention of the dosage form by swelling upon imbibition of gastric fluid to size that is retained in the stomach during the postprandial or fed mode.

Abstract: Drug tablets that include a prolonged-release core and an immediate-release layer or shell are prepared with a thin barrier layer of drug-free polymer between the prolonged-release and immediate-release portions of the tablet. The barrier layer is penetrable by gastrointestinal fluid, thereby providing full access of the gastrointestinal fluid to the prolonged-release core, but remains intact during the application of the immediate-release layer, substantially reducing or eliminating any penetration of the immediate-release drug into the prolonged-release portion.

Abstract: Drugs are formulated as oral dosage forms for controlled release in which the release rate limiting portion is a shell surrounding the drug-containing core. The shell releases drug from the core by permitting diffusion of the drug from the core. The shell also motes gastric retention of the dosage form by swelling upon imbibition of gastric fluid to size that is retained in the stomach during the postprandial or fed mode.

Abstract: Drug tablets that include a prolonged-release core and an immediate-release layer or shell are prepared with a thin barrier layer of drug-free polymer between the prolonged-release and immediate-release portions of the tablet. The barrier layer is penetrable by gastrointestinal fluid, thereby providing full access of the gastrointestinal fluid to the prolonged-release core, but remains intact during the application of the immediate-release layer, substantially reducing or eliminating any penetration of the immediate-release drug into the prolonged-release portion.

Abstract: Drug tablets that include a prolonged-release core and an immediate-release layer or shell are prepared with a thin barrier layer of drug-free polymer between the prolonged-release and immediate-release portions of the tablet. The barrier layer is penetrable by gastrointestinal fluid, thereby providing full access of the gastrointestinal fluid to the prolonged-release core, but remains intact during the application of the immediate-release layer, substantially reducing or eliminating any penetration of the immediate-release drug into the prolonged-release portion.

Abstract: Drugs are formulated as oral dosage forms for controlled release in which the release rate limiting portion is a shell surrounding the drug-containing core. The shell releases drug from the core by permitting diffusion of the drug from the core. The shell also motes gastric retention of the dosage form by swelling upon imbibition of gastric fluid to size that is retained in the stomach during the postprandial or fed mode.

Abstract: Drug tablets that include a prolonged-release core and an immediate-release layer or shell are prepared with a thin barrier layer of drug-free polymer between the prolonged-release and immediate-release portions of the tablet. The barrier layer is penetrable by gastrointestinal fluid, thereby providing lull access of the gastrointestinal fluid to the prolonged-release core, but remains intact during the application of the immediate-release layer, substantially reducing or eliminating any penetration of the immediate-release drug into the prolonged-release portion.

Abstract: Controlled release oral dosage forms are provided for the continuous, sustained administration of a pharmacologically active agent to the upper gastrointestinal tract of a patient in whom the fed mode as been induced. The majority of the agent is delivered, on an extended release basis, to the stomach, duodenum and upper regions of the small intestine, with drug delivery in the lower gastrointestinal tract and colon substantially restricted. The dosage form comprises a matrix of a biocompatible, hydrophilic, erodible polymer with an active agent incorporated therein, wherein the polymer is one that both swells in the presence of water and gradually erodes over a time period of hours, with swelling and erosion commencing upon contact with gastric fluid, and drug release rate primarily controlled by erosion rate.

Abstract: Drugs are formulated as oral dosage forms for controlled release in which the release rate limiting portion is a shell surrounding the drug-containing core. The shell releases drug from the core by permitting diffusion of the drug from the core. The shell also motes gastric retention of the dosage form by swelling upon imbibition of gastric fluid to size that is retained in the stomach during the postprandial or fed mode.

Abstract: Drugs are formulated as oral dosage forms for controlled release in which the release rate limiting portion is a shell surrounding the drug-containing core. The shell releases drug from the core by permitting diffusion of the drug from the core. The shell also motes gastric retention of the dosage form by swelling upon imbibition of gastric fluid to size that is retained in the stomach during the postprandial or fed mode.

Abstract: Controlled release oral dosage forms are provided for the continuous, sustained administration of a pharmacologically active agent to the upper gastrointestinal tract of a patient in whom the fed mode as been induced. The majority of the agent is delivered, on an extended release basis, to the stomach, duodenum and upper regions of the small intestine, with drug delivery in the lower gastrointestinal tract and colon substantially restricted. The dosage form comprises a matrix of a biocompatible, hydrophilic, erodible polymer with an active agent incorporated therein, wherein the polymer is one that both swells in the presence of water and gradually erodes over a time period of hours, with swelling and erosion commencing upon contact with gastric fluid, and drug release rate primarily controlled by erosion rate.

Abstract: Drugs are formulated as oral dosage forms for controlled release in which the release rate limiting portion is a shell surrounding the drug-containing core. The shell releases drug from the core by permitting diffusion of the drug from the core. The shell also motes gastric retention of the dosage form by swelling upon imbibition of gastric fluid to size that is retained in the stomach during the postprandial or fed mode.

Abstract: Drugs are formulated as oral dosage forms for controlled release in which the release rate limiting portion is a shell surrounding the drug-containing core. The shell releases drug from the core by permitting diffusion of the drug from the core. The shell also promotes gastric retention of the dosage form by swelling upon imbibition of gastric fluid to a size that is retained in the stomach during the postprandial or fed mode.

Abstract: Drug tablets that include a prolonged-release core and an immediate-release layer or shell are prepared with a thin barrier layer of drug-free polymer between the prolonged-release and immediate-release portions of the tablet. The barrier layer is penetrable by gastrointestinal fluid, thereby providing full access of the gastrointestinal fluid to the prolonged-release core, but remains intact during the application of the immediate-release layer, substantially reducing or eliminating any penetration of the immediate-release drug into the prolonged-release portion.