| abstract |
A dosage form comprises an active ingredient, a core having an outer surface and a first shape and a shell having outer and inner surfaces and a second shape, in which the shell surrounds at least a portion of the core, and the first and second shapes are substantially different. In one embodiment the shell comprises at least about 80% of a flowable material selected from the group consisting of film formers, gelling polymers, thermoplastic materials, low melting hydrophobic materials, non-crystallizable sugars, non-crystallizable sugar-alcohols, and mixtures thereof. In another embodiment the shell is substantially free of pores having a diameter of 0.5 to 5.0 microns. In another embodiment, the core and shell each having a different number of planes of symmetry with respect to the same reference axis. In another embodiment, the distance from the core outer surface to the shell outer surface is different at two different points located on the core outer surface and the difference is greater than about 125 microns. Either the core, the shell, or a combination thereof may contain at least one active ingredient. The core and shell may each be molded or compressed. The core may also comprise an insert which may contain at least one active ingredient. The shape of the core may be chosen so as to permit modified release of active material in the core upon breach of the shell or provides a modified release profile for the active material in the core. |