METHODS AND DOSAGE FORMS FOR IMPROVING THE BIOAVAILABILITY OF THERAPEUTIC AGENTS

摘要

The present invention provides controlled release dosage forms for oral administration. The dosage form comprises a therapeutic agent that is metabolized in the upper GI tract in combination with a controlled-release agent so as to be hydrodynamically balanced so that, in contact with gastric fluid, the dosage form has a bulk density less than one g/ml and therefore i s buoyant in the gastric fluid. Such dosage form is retained in the stomach during the tinme when substantially all of the medicaments are released therefroom. Additionally, such dosage form will release the medicament over an extended period of time so that delivery of the therapeutic agent to the sma ll intestine will occur steadily rather than immediately. Such steady release over time of the therapeutic agent at the metabolisation and absorption site will prevent enyzme saturation and thereby exhibit greater bioavailability o f the therapeutic agent.