| abstract |
ABSTRACT A sustained release, oral pharmaceutical composition in solid unit dosage form, for application to the mucosa of the oral or nasal cavity, comprises compressed, mucosa adhesive cellulose, coated granules, the granules comprising a drug, a higher aliphatic alcohol and a hydrated water soluble hydroxyalkyl cellulose. Preferably the composition is in the form of a buccal tablet, especially a kidney shaped buccal tablet. Preferred materials are morphine as the drug, hydroxypropyl cellulose as the mucosa adhesive cellulose, cetostearyl alcohol as the aliphatic alcohol and hydroxyethyl cellulose as the water soluble cellulose. The composition has enhanced adherent properties (to the mucosa) and prolongs the bioavailability of the drug. |