Multicompartment hard capsule with control release properties

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hard capsule made from a material such as gelatin, starch or a hydrophilic polymer. The capsule of the present invention is formulated into a delivery system which incorporates pharmacologically active components in three or more distinct compartments. When three compartments are utilized in the capsule, the outer compartment incorporates a drug and excipients into a layer which coats the outer part of the capsule. This layer represents the rapid release portion of the delivery system. The intermediate compartment comprises a powder formulation comprised of a drug and excipients which represents the intermediary speed release portion of the delivery system. The innermost compartment incorporates the active ingredient or ingredients in a multiparticulate form, such as small pellets, and represents the slow release component of the delivery system.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.