Therapeutic compositions with enhanced bioavailability

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to compositions of a drug with a water soluble polymer which has been treated with a wetting sufficient amount of a wetting agent selected from anionic and cationic surfactants.
In preferred embodiments the composition is a solid, usually a powder, which is then compounded into suitable solid dosage forms for oral administration.
Griseofulvin is a known antibiotic which has been found useful in the treatment of certain fungus diseases of plants, man and animals.
Griseofulvin as discussed in the background of this invention is also known as a poorly soluble or water soluble drug, which in vivo provides a low order of bioavailability when administered orally.
Thus the composition of the instant invention is particularly useful for griseofulvin and drugs of a similar nature such as certain steroids and antibiotics which due to their low aqueous solubility and/or high melting point are poorly absorbed.
Illustrative of such drugs are medrogestone; progesterone; estradiol; 10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene-5-carboxamide; 5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene-5-carboxamide and the like.
The compositions of this invention, as will soon be appreciated, further permit the formulation of solid dosage forms which may contain high concentrations of the particular drug, such as griseofulvin, with no concomitant loss of bioavailability usually associated with such high concentrations.
These compositions thus allow the preparation of elegant solid dosage forms.
The compositions of this invention are also resistant to agglomeration of the drug particles or the tendency of the drug in storage to produce undesirable crystal formation which adversely affects bioavailability of the drug.
Polymers useful in this invention include water soluble polymers which are nontoxic and pharmacologically acceptable, particularly for oral administration.
Illustrative of polymers, found suitable in this invention include polyvinylpyrrolidone, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, block co-polymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, and polyethylene glycol