Gastroretentive drug delivery system comprising an extruded hydratable polymer

Abstract

According to the present invention there is provided a pharmaceutical product for retention in the stomach. The product is produced by extrusion. The use of extrusion enables the product to take many useful forms. The product may comprise a sheet of hydratable polymer, the hydrated sheet being of a size which will not pass out of the stomach, for example a shaped sheet or a roll. The product may also comprise a sealed hollow tubular extrudate, for example a tube sealed at both ends. The product may comprise a filled capsule.

1 . An extruded pharmaceutical product for retention in the stomach.  
   
   
       2 . An extruded pharmaceutical product according to  claim 1 , comprising a sheet of hydratable polymer, the hydrated sheet being of a size which will not pass out of the stomach.  
   
   
       3 . An extruded pharmaceutical product according to  claim 2 , wherein the sheet is extruded as a shaped sheet.  
   
   
       4 . An extruded pharmaceutical product according to  claim 3 , wherein the sheet takes the form of a roll.  
   
   
       5 . An extruded pharmaceutical product according to  claim 2 , wherein the sheet is extruded as a planar sheet and is folded or otherwise compacted.  
   
   
       6 . An extruded pharmaceutical product according to  claim 1 , comprising a sealed hollow tubular extrudate.  
   
   
       7 . An extruded pharmaceutical product according to  claim 6  comprising a tube sealed at both ends.  
   
   
       8 . An extruded pharmaceutical product according to  claim 2 , comprising a filled capsule.