Abstract: This invention concerns wettable microcapsules ethylcellulose coated cores and to processes for their preparation; in particular, to microcapsules with ethylcellulose coats that are wettable so that they are suspendable in aqueous medium. The wettable microcapsules can be prepared by applying ethylcellulose onto drug containing core by phase separation from a solvent to provide microcapsules, optionally washing said microcapsules with a solvent in which said microcapsules are substantially insoluble and drying, (a) one or more surfactants is/are incorporated in the solvent at the phase separation step; and/or (b) one or more surfactants is/are incorporated in the solvent used to wash the microcapsules; and/or said microcapsules being coated with one or more surfactants optionally in the presence of a binder.

Abstract: The invention provides a granular product useful as a pharmaceutical carrier which can be used for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions that are capable of rapid suspension in water or aqueous media including saliva. The compositions may be used by addition to a glass of water with stirring or taken directly in the mouth. The granular product may be prepared by a process which comprises subjecting a mixture of a thickening agent and a disintegrating agent to wet granulation with an aqueous medium as wetting agent or dry granulation and preparing the pharmaceutical composition from the granular product and the pharmaceutically active ingredient. A water-soluble inert excipient, which may be a sugar, may be mixed with the granular product prior to mixing with the pharmaceutically active ingredient.