SUSTAINED RELEASE PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATION

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prepare the subject pharmaceutical preparation, comprising a hard gelatin capsule filled with a specific fine granule, capable of providing a desired dissolution profile and reducing adverse effects such as nausea or emesis and useful for treating depression. SOLUTION: This sustained release pharmaceutical preparation comprises a hard gelatin capsule, filled with a therapeutically effective amount of a fine granule, containing (A) venlafaxine hydrochloride, (B) microcrystalline cellulose and (C) hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and coated with (D) ethyl cellulose and the ingredient C. Furthermore, the fine granule is preferably composed of about 37.3wt.% ingredient A, about 0.5wt.% ingredient C and about 62.17wt.% ingredient B. The film coating composition is preferably composed of the ingredient D having 44.0-51.0wt.% content of ethoxy groups (15wt.% based on the total weight) and the ingredient C having 28.0-30.0wt.% content of methoxy groups and 7.0-12.0wt.% content of hydroxypropoxy groups (85wt.% based on the total weight).