Controlled release nifedipine preparations

Differential release solid pharmaceutical compositions comprising Nifedipine are prepared by admixing a solution or solutions of nifedipine, one or more hydrophilising agents and one or more retarding agents in an organic solvent, applying the solutions thus obtained onto an inert carrier, drying and sieving the product and then admixing it with a tabletting agent and compressing the resulting mixture into tablets or filling the mixture into capsules. The hydrophilising agents (eg. polyethylene glycal, hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, or a surfactant) serve to increase the rate of absorption of active agent, while the retarding agents (e.g. ethylcellulose, polyvinyl butyral or polymethacrylates) slow down absorption.