| abstract |
The present invention provides a time-release dosage form for delivering an acid-labile pharmaceutical, such as omeprazole, into the upper portion of the gastrointestinal tract downstream of the stomach. The dosage form includes a drug-containing core surrounded by an inert time-release coating that delays release of the drug from the core until expiration of a certain time period after administration, generally 0.5-5.0 hours or 1-3 hours. When the gastrointestinal fluid contacts the core, the drug is released rapidly into the GI tract. The dosage form does not contain an enteric coating. The dosage form can also include one or more additional coatings exterior to the time-release coating to provide delivery of an immediately released loading dose of the acid-labile drug or another drug. |