Press coated, pulsatile drug delivery system suitable for oral administration

A press-coated tablet suitable for oral administration, comprising:

• (a) an immediate-release compartment comprising a compressed blend of an active agent and one or more polymers, wherein said immediate release compartment is characterized by a dissolution profile in which 10-75% of the active agent is dissolved within one hour and not less than 90% of the active agent is dissolved within 6 hours, based on the total amount of the active agent in the compartment, wherein the dissolution profile is measured in a type 2 dissolution apparatus (paddle) according to U.S. Pharmacopeia XXII at 37° C.±0.5° C. in deionized water at 75 rotations per minute, and
• (b) an extended-release compartment, wherein said extended-release compartment is characterized by a dissolution profile in which 5-40% of the active agent is dissolved within one hour, 20-75% of the active agent is dissolved within three hours, 40-95% of the active agent is dissolved within 6 hours, and not less than 60% of the active agent is dissolved within 8 hours, based on the total amount of the active agent in the compartment, wherein the dissolution profile is measured in a type 2 dissolution apparatus (paddle) according to U.S. Pharmacopeia XXII at 37° C.±0.5° C. in deionized water at 75 rotations per minute, wherein the extended-release compartment is formed by press-coating to substantially envelop the immediate-release compartment, and comprises a compressed blend of the active agent, a hydrophilic polymer and hydrophobic material,
• wherein the tablet exhibits a first order release of the active agent interrupted by a pulsed delivery of the active agent.