PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS FOR THE CONTROLLED RELEASE OF beta -LACTAM ANTIBIOTICS

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical controlled-release oral drug delivery system comprising as active ingredient at least one beta-lactam antibiotic agent, having a specific absorption site in the small intestine in combination with a polymeric matrix, optionally further containing additional pharmaceutically acceptable constituents, wherein at least 50% of the beta-lactam antibiotic agent are released from the matrix within from about 3 to about 4 hours from oral administration and the reminder of the pharmaceutical agent is released at a controlled rate. The drug delivery system according to the invention optionally further comprises a beta-lactamase inhibitor, preferably in combination with amoxicillin and/or amoxicillin trihydrate as the active ingredient. The polymeric matrix of the pharmaceutical controlled-release oral drug delivery system of the invention my be of hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic nature and the delivery system may further comprise pharmaceutically acceptable additive. The pharmaceutical controlled-release oral drug delivery system of the invention is preferably in dosage unit form.