Abstract:
PURPOSE: To provide a medicine release device that is composed of a core which is formed of medically active substances and contains an excipent if necessary, and an asymmetrical thin film which surrounds the core, and releases the active substances into the environment, in which the active substances are to be used while controlling the release rate. CONSTITUTION: This medicine release device, which is in the form of a tablet, capsule, granule or the like comprises a core which is formed of active substances, such as antihypertenives, antianxiety agents, anticoagulants, blood sugar depressants, and hyperemia removers, and may contain an excipent, and an asymmetrical thin film which surrounds the core, and is permeable and nonporous, permeable and porous, or semipermeable and nonporous. For example, this device in the tablet form is obtained by coating the aforesaid core with an acetone solution which contains 10-20wt.% of a cellulose ester or ethyl cellulose, and occasionally 0-35wt.% of a pore-formable substance (e.g. acetic acid or glycerin), dipping the core into a water bath to rapidly cool, and then drying the thin-film coated core. The release of medicines is carried out by squeezing-out action by osmotic pressure or diffusion in the case of permeable thin film, and by squeezing-out action in the case of semipermeable film.