Solid Carriers for Improved Delivery of Active Ingredients in Pharmaceutical Compositions

Abstract

The present invention provides solid pharmaceutical compositions for improved delivery of a wide variety of pharmaceutical active ingredients contained therein or separately administered. In one embodiment, the solid pharmaceutical composition includes a solid carrier, the solid carrier including a substrate and an encapsulation coat on the substrate. The encapsulation coat can include different combinations of pharmaceutical active ingredients, hydrophilic surfactant, lipophilic surfactants and triglycerides. In another embodiment, the solid pharmaceutical composition includes a solid carrier, the solid carrier being formed of different combinations of pharmaceutical active ingredients, hydrophilic surfactants, lipophilic surfactants and triglycerides. The compositions of the present invention can be used for improved delivery of hydrophilic or hydrophobic pharmaceutical active ingredients, such as drugs, nutritional agents, cosmeceuticals and diagnostic agents.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is: 
     
         1 . A pharmaceutical composition in the form of a solid carrier, said composition comprising,
 at least two components selected from the group consisting of a pharmaceutical active ingredient; a hydrophilic surfactant comprising a hydrogenated castor oil, and a lipophilic component comprising a vegetable oil and further comprising a fatty acid,   wherein the pharmaceutical active ingredient is testosterone undecanoate.   
     
     
         2 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition includes a hydrophilic surfactant and the hydrophilic surfactant represents 2.4% w/w to 76% w/w of the solid carrier. 
     
     
         9 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition includes hydrophilic surfactant and the hydrophilic surfactant 12.1% w/w to 76% w/w of the solid carrier. 
     
     
         10 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is formulated for immediate release. 
     
     
         11 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is formulated for pulsatile release, controlled release, extended release, delayed release, targeted release, or targeted delayed release. 
     
     
         12 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is in the form of a capsule, a tablet, a granule, a pellet, or a bead. 
     
     
         13 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition also includes an additive, selected from the group consisting of a natural or synthetic wax, an antioxidant, and a polymer. 
     
     
         18 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 17 , wherein the additive is a natural or synthetic wax. 
     
     
         19 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 17 , wherein the additive is a polymer. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 17 , wherein the additive is an antioxidant comprising ascorbyl palmitate.