Controlled release oxycodone compositions

A solid controlled release oral dosage form, comprising an analgesically

• (a) effective amount of oxycodone or a salt thereof;
• (b) an effective amount of a controlled release matrix selected from the group consisting of hydrophilic polymers, hydrophobic polymers, digestible substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbons having from about 98 to about 50 carbon atoms, and polyalkylene glycols;
• and
• (c) a suitable amount of a suitable pharmaceutical diluent, wherein said composition provides an in vitro dissolution rate of the dosage form when measured by the USP Paddle Method at 100 rpm at 900 ml aqueous buffer (pH between 1.6 and 7.2) at 37.degree. C. is between 12.5% and 42.5% (by wt) oxycodone released after 1 hour, between 25% and 55% (by wt) oxycodone released after 2 hours, between 45% and 75% (by wt) oxycodone released after 4 hours and between 55% and 85% (by wt) oxycodone released after 6 hours, the in vitro release rate being independent of pH between pH 1.6 and 7.2 and chosen such that the peak plasma level of oxycodone obtained in vivo occurs between 2 and 4 hours after administration of the dosage form.

A solid controlled release oral dosage form, comprising

• (a) an analgesically effective amount of spheroids comprising oxycodone or a salt thereof and either a spheronising agent or an acrylic polymer or copolymer;
• (b) a film coating which controls the release of the oxycodone or oxycodone salt at a controlled rate in an aqueous medium, wherein said composition provides an in vitro dissolution rate of the dosage form;
• and
• (c) a suitable amount of a suitable pharmaceutical diluent, wherein said composition provides an in vitro dissolution rate of the dosage form when measured by the USP Paddle Method at 100 rpm at 900 ml aqueous buffer (pH between 1.6 and 7.2) at 37.degree. C. between 12.5% and 42.5% (by wt) oxycodone released after 1 hour, between 25% and 55% (by wt) oxycodone released after 2 hours, between 45% and 75% (by wt) oxycodone released after 4 hours and between 55% and 85% (by wt) oxycodone released after 6 hours, the in vitro release rate being independent of pH between pH 1.6 and 7.2 and chosen such that the peak plasma level of oxycodone obtained in vivo occurs between 2 and 4 hours after administration of the dosage form.