| abstract |
In accordance with this invention there is provided a granular product with an effervescent system which comprises acid-sensitive pharmaceutically active substances, such as, for example, beta-carotene, cimetidine, ranitidine or cisapride, which is specially useful to prevent antacid action, having an acid-binding capacity below about 5meq, at a weight of about 1.6 to about 2.3 grams. The effervescent grains are made from carrier crystals of at least one solid, edible organic acid, preferably citric acid, and are present as a granular product, separate from the pharmaceutically active substance, and are coated with at least one layer of a water-soluble neutral substance which is able to bring about a melting point depression of the acid grains at their surface, such as, for example, a water-soluble polymer, a higher alcohol, a carbohydrate and/or a hydrocolloid. A second coating contains at least a part of the alkali and/or alkaline earth carbonate or bicarbonate provided for the total dosage. |