Abstract: A sustained-release composition, which comprises (a) a substance which forms a gel in water, (b) a fat and/or oil which is solid at room temperature and (c) a pharmaceutical, said composition having a specific gravity of not more than about 1.

Abstract: A process for producing amorphous preparations of steryl glucoside monopalmitates, wherein steryl glucoside monopalmitates are heated at a temperature above 110.degree. C up to about 145.degree. C or the compounds are dissolved in an organic solvent in which they are soluble with a solvent which is then distilled off, and the compounds then pulverized and mixed with physiologically harmless organic or inorganic fine particles in a proportion of 0.5 times (by weight) of the compounds or more, thereby homogeneously dispersing the amorphous compounds in the fine particles or uniformtly adsorbing the compounds on the fine particles, and the resulting preparations which have hemostatic properties and are readily absorbable upon ingestion. The starting steryl glucoside monopalmitates are obtained in crystalline form as from soy beans or other vegetable sources.

Abstract: Sterol glycosides are rendered easily absorbable through the digestive tract by dissolving or dispersing the steroid glycoside with heating into a water solution of a polymer or polymers and then removing the solvent.