ENTERIC-COATED TIMED RELEASE SYSTEMS FOR COLONIC TARGETING

The gastrointestinal transit and disintegration characteristics of an enteric coated timed release formulation were investigated in a group of six healthy volunteers using the technique of gamma scintigraphy. The mean in vivo tablet disintegration time was approx. 10 h post-dose and 7.5 h after gastric emptying which was in excellent agreement with that predicted from in vitro methodology. The anatomical site of release ranged from the caecum to the descending colon and once the onset of disintegration had been detected by scintigraphy, the time for complete break up was typically in the region of 45-60 min. The enteric coated Time Clock(R) system therefore provides for a pharmaceutical preparation capable of drug delivery to the colon.