Microparticles With Modified Release of At Least One Active Principle and Oral Pharmaceutical Form Comprising Same

• US 20090220611A1
• Filed: 09/27/2006
• Published: 09/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Flamel Technologies SA (Avadel Pharmaceuticals Plc)
• Original Assignee: Flamel Technologies SA (Avadel Pharmaceuticals Plc)
• Inventors: Guimberteau, Florence, Soula, Gerard, Castan, Catherine, Dargelas, Frederic, Meyrueix, Remi
• Application Number:
  US11/992,769
• Publication Number:
  US 20090220611A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/495
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/2077 Tablets comprising drug-containing microparticles in a substantial amount of supporting matrix; Multiparticulate tablets
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/5073 having two or more different coatings optionally including drug-containing subcoatings

Abstract

The invention concerns microparticulate systems with modified release of oral active principle(s). The invention aims at providing a novel pharmaceutical with time-dependent and pH-dependent release mechanism, enabling: a) the latent period preceding the release of the active principle in the stomach; b) the pH triggering the release of the active principle in the intestine; c) the release speed of the active principle. This is achieved through the use of coated microparticles made from particles of active principle each coated with two coating films A and B. A comprises: film-forming (co)polymer (A1) insoluble in fluids of the gastrointestinal tract; ethylcellulose (co)polymer (A2) soluble in fluids of the gastrointestinal tract; plasticizing polyvinylpyrrolidone (A3); castor oil/optionally a surfactant and/or magnesium stearate lubricant (A4). B comprises a hydrophilic polymer (B1) bearing ionized groups with neutral pH (EUDRAGIT® L100-55) and a hydrophobic compound (B2) (LUBRITAB®). The invention also concerns medicines based on said microparticles.

Claims

1. Coated “

reservoir”

microparticles containing at least one active principle (AP) and being of the type;

constituted by AP particles each covered with at least two different coating films,

with a mean diameter of less than 2000 microns, preferably between 50 and 800 microns and even more preferentially between 100 and 600 microns;

characterized in that, in combination, the coating films are capable;

of ensuring release of the AP governed by two different triggering mechanisms, one based on a variation in pH and the other allowing the release of the AP after a predetermined residence time in the stomach,

of inducing in vitro dissolution behavior (performed in a paddle dissolutest in accordance with the European Pharmacopeia 5.2 or a device of type II in US Pharmacopeia 28-NF23, maintained at 37°

C. and rotated at 100 rpm) such that;

at constant pH 1.4, the dissolution profile comprises a lag phase of adjustable duration of less than or equal to 8 hours, preferably less than or equal to 5 hours and even more preferentially between 1 and 5 hours;

the passage from pH 1.4 to pH 7.1 leads to a sustained-release phase of adjustable duration, starting without a lag time and such that t½

is between 0.25 and 20 hours, preferably between 0.25 and 12 hours, more preferably between 0.25 and 8 hours and even more preferentially between 0.25 and 4 hours, in which t½

is the time required to release 50% of at least one of the active principles contained in the coated microparticles.

2. The microparticles as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that each of them comprises:

at least one coating film (A) having the following composition;

(A1) at least one film-forming (co)polymer (A1) that is insoluble in the liquids of the gastrointestinal tract;

(A2) at least one (co)polymer (A2) that is soluble in the liquids of the gastrointestinal tract;

(A3) at least one plasticizer (A3);

(A4) optionally at least one surfactant and/or lubricant (A4);

and at least one coating film (B) constituted of a composite material comprising at least one hydrophilic polymer (B1) bearing groups that are ionized at neutral pH and at least one hydrophobic compound (B2).

3. The microparticles as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that each of them comprises a coating film (A) and a coating film (B).

4. The microparticles as claimed in claim 2 or 3, in which the coating film A has a coating ratio (Tp_A)—

expressed as a dry weight % relative to the total mass of the microparticles—

such that Tp_A≧

2%, preferably Tp_A≧

3% and even more preferentially Tp_A≧

4%.

5. The microparticles as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, in which the coating film A has a coating ratio (Tp_A)—

expressed as a dry weight % relative to the total mass of the coated microparticles—

of less than or equal to 50%.

6. The microparticles as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, in which the coating film B has a coating ratio (Tp_B)—

expressed as a dry weight % relative to the total mass of the coated microparticles—

of less than or equal to 50%.

7. The microparticles as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, in which the coating films A and B together represent not more than 50% of the dry weight relative to the total mass of the coated microparticles.

8. The microparticles as claimed in one of claims 2 to 7, in which the coating film A is an inner film directly in contact with the active principle particle and the coating film B is an outer film.

9. The microparticles as claimed in one of claims 2 to 7, in which the coating film B is an inner film directly in contact with the active principle particle and the coating film A is an outer film.

10. The microparticles as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 9, in which:

(A1) is chosen from the group comprising;

water-insoluble cellulose derivatives, preferably ethylcellulose and/or cellulose acetate,

acrylic derivatives, for example copolymers of (meth)acrylic acid and of alkyl (e.g. methyl) ester, copolymers of acrylic and methacrylic acid ester bearing at least one quaternary ammonium group (preferably at least one copolymer of alkyl (meth)acrylate and of trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate chloride) and more specifically the products sold under the brand names EUDRAGIT®

RS and/or RL,

polyvinyl acetates,

and mixtures thereof;

(A2) is chosen from the group comprising;

nitrogenous (co)polymers, preferably from the group comprising polyacrylamides, poly-N-vinylamides, polyvinylpyrrolidones (PVP) and poly-N-vinyllactams;

water-soluble cellulose derivatives,

polyvinyl alcohols (PVA),

polyoxyethylenes (POE),

polyethylene glycols (PEG),

and mixtures thereof;

polyvinylpyrrolidone being particularly preferred;

(A3) is chosen from the group comprising;

cetyl alcohol esters

glycerol and esters thereof, preferably from the following subgroup;

acetylated glycerides, glyceryl monostearate, glyceryl triacetate, glyceryl tributyrate,

phthalates, preferably from the following subgroup;

dibutyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, dimethyl phthalate, dioctyl phthalate,

citrates, preferably from the following subgroup;

acetyl tributyl citrate, acetyl triethyl citrate, tributyl citrate, triethyl citrate,

sebacates, preferably from the following subgroup;

diethyl sebacate, dibutyl sebacate,

adipates,

azelates,

benzoates,

plant oils,

fumarates, preferably diethyl fumarate,

malates, preferably diethyl malate,

oxalates, preferably diethyl oxalate,

succinates, preferably dibutyl succinate,

butyrates,

cetyl alcohol esters,

salicylic acid,

triacetin,

malonates, preferably diethyl malonate,

castor oil (this being particularly preferred),

and mixtures thereof;

(A4) is chosen from the group comprising;

anionic surfactants, preferably from the subgroup of alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal salts of fatty acids, stearic acid and/or oleic acid being preferred,

and/or nonionic surfactants, preferably from the following subgroup;

polyoxyethylenated oils, preferably hydrogenated polyoxyethylenated castor oil,

polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymers,

polyoxyethylenated sorbitan esters,

polyoxyethylenated castor oil derivatives,

stearates, preferably calcium, magnesium, aluminum or zinc stearate,

stearylfumarates, preferably sodium stearylfumarate,

glyceryl behenates,

and mixtures thereof.

11. The microparticles as claimed in one of claims 2 to 10, in which the coating film A has the following quantitative weight percentage composition:

(A1) between 10 and 90 and preferably between 15 and 80,

(A2) between 5 and 50 and preferably between 10 and 40,

(A3) between 1 and 30 and preferably between 2 and 20,

(A4) between 0 and 20 and preferably between 0 and 15.

12. The microparticles as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 11, in which the hydrophilic polymer bearing groups that are ionized at neutral pH (B1) is chosen from the group comprising:

B1.a copolymers of (meth)acrylic acid and of alkyl (e.g. methyl) ester of (meth)acrylic acid (for example EUDRAGIT®

S or L);

B1.b cellulose derivatives, preferably;

cellulose acetates, cellulose phthalates, cellulose succinates and even more preferentially hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalates, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose acetates and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose succinates;

and mixtures thereof.

13. The microparticles as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 12, in which compound (B2) is chosen from the following group of products:

B2.a plant waxes taken alone or as mutual mixtures;

B2.b hydrogenated plant oils taken alone or as mutual mixtures;

B2.c mono- and/or di- and/or triesters of glycerol and of at least one fatty acid;

B2.d mixtures of monoesters, diesters and triesters of glycerol and of at least one fatty acid;

B2.e and mixtures thereof.

14. The microparticles as claimed in claim 13, in which compound (B2) is chosen from the following group of products:

hydrogenated cottonseed oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, hydrogenated palm oil, glyceryl behenate, hydrogenated castor oil, tristearine, tripalmitine, trimyristine, yellow wax, hard fat or fat useful as suppository bases, anhydrous dairy fat, lanolin, glyceryl palmitostearate, glyceryl stearate, lauryl macrogolglycerides, cetyl alcohol, polyglyceryl diisostearate, diethylene glycol monostearate, ethylene glycol monostearate, omega-3 and any mixture thereof.

15. The microparticles as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 14, in which the weight ratio (B2)/(B1) is between 0.2 and 1.5 and preferably between 0.45 and 1.0.

16. The microparticles as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 15, in which the hydrophobic compound (B2) is chosen from products that are crystalline in the solid state and that have a melting point Tm(B2)≧

40°

C., preferably Tm(B2)≧

50°

C. and even more preferentially 50°

C.≦

Tm(B2)≦

90°

C.

17. The microparticles as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the AP used belongs to at least one of the following families of active substances:

agents for treating alcohol abuse, agents for treating Alzheimer'"'"'s disease, anesthetics, agents for treating acromegaly, analgesics, antiasthmatic agents, agents for treating allergies, anticancer agents, antiinflammatories, anticoagulants and antithrombotic agents, hypolipemiants, anticonvulsants, antiepileptic agents, antidiabetic agents, antiemetic agents, antiglaucoma agents, antihistaminics, antiinfectious agents, antibiotics, antifungal agents, antiviral agents, antiparkinson agents, anticholinergic agents, antitussive agents, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, cardiovascular agents, antiarrhythmic agents, vasodilators, antiangina agents, antihypertensives, vasoprotective agents, cholinesterase inhibitors, agents for treating central nervous system disorders, central nervous system stimulants, contraceptives, fertility promoters, labor inducers and inhibitors, agents for treating mucoviscidosis, dopamine receptor agonists, agents for treating endometriosis, agents for treating erectile dysfunction, agents for treating fertility, agents for treating gastrointestinal disorders, immunomodulators and immunosuppressants, agents for treating memory disorders, antimigraine agents, muscle relaxants, nucleoside analogs, agents for treating osteoporosis, parasympathomimetic agents, prostaglandins, psychotherapeutic agents, sedatives, hypnotics and tranquilizers, neuroleptic agents, anxiolytic agents, psychostimulants, antidepressants, dermatological treatment agents, steroids and hormones.

18. The microparticles as claimed in claim 17, in which:

examples of agents for treating acromegaly include;

octreotide, laureotide and pegvisomant, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of agents for treating alcohol abuse include;

chlorazepate, chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, disulfuram, hydroxyzine, naltrexone, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of anesthetics include;

adrenalin, bupivacaine, chloroprocaine, desflurane, etidocaine, levobupivacaine, lidocaine, midazolam, propofol, ropivacaine, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of analgesics include;

acetaminophen, aspirin, bupivacaine, buprenorphine, butorphanol, celecoxib, clofenadol, choline, clonidine, codeine, diflunisal, dihydrocodeine, dihydroergotamine, dihydromorphine, ethylmorphine, etodolac, eletriptan, eptazocine, ergotamine, fentanyl, fenoprofen, hyaluronic acid, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, hylane, ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketorolac, ketotifen, levomethadone, levallorphan, levorphanol, lidocaine, mefenamic acid, meloxicam, meperidine, methadone, morphine, nabumetone, nalbuphine, nefopam, nalorphine, naloxone, naltrexone, naproxen, naratriptan, nefazodone, mormethadone, oxapozine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, pentazocine, pethidine, phenpyramide, piritramide, piroxicam, propoxyphen, refecoxib, rizatriptan, ketoprofen, sulindac, sumatriptan, tebacone, tilidine, tolmetine, tramadol, zolmitriptan, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of antiasthmatic agents include;

ablukast, azelastine, bunaprolast, cinalukast, cromitrile, cromolyne, enofelast, isambxole, ketotifen, levcromekaline, lodoxamide, montelukast, ontazolast, oxarbazole, oxatomide, piriprost potassium, pirolate, pobilukast, edamine, pranlukast, quazolast, repirinast, ritolukast, sulukast, tetrazolastmeglumine, tiaramide, tibenelast, tomelukast, tranilast, verlukast, verofylline, zarirlukast, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of anticancer agents include;

adriamycin, aldesleukin, allopurinol, altretamine, amifostine, anastrozole, asparaginase, betamethasone, bexaroten, bicalutamide, bleomycin, busulfan, capecitabine, carboplatin, carmustine, chlorambucil, cisplatin, cladribine, conjugated estrogen, cortisone, cyclophosphamide, cytarabine, dacarbazine, daunorubicin, dactinomycin, denileukin, dexamethasone, discodermolide, docetaxel, doxorubicin, eloposidem, epirubicin, epoetin, epothilones, estramustine, esterified estrogen, ethynyl-estradiol, etoposide, exemestane, flavopirdol, fluconazole, fludarabine, fluorouracil, flutamide, floxuridine, gemcitabine, gemtuzumab, goserelin, hexamethylmelamine, hydrocortisone, hydroxyurea, idarubicin, ifosfamide, interferon, irinotecan, lemiposide, letrozole, leuprolide, levamisole, levothyroxine, lomustine, mechlorethamine, melphalan, mercaptopurine, megestrol, methotrexate, methylprednisolone, methyltestosterone, mithramycin, mitomycin, mitotane, mitoxantrone, mitozolomide, mutamycin, nilutamide, paclitaxel, pamidronate, pegaspargase, pentostatin, plicamycin, porfimer, prednisolone, procarbazine, rituximab, sargramostim, semustine, streptozocin, tamoxifen, temozolamide, teniposide, testolactone, thioguanine, thiotepa, tomudex, topotecan, toremifen, trastumuzab, tretinoin, semustine, streptozolocin, valrubicin, verteprofin, vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine, vinorelbine, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of anticoagulants and antithrombotic agents include;

warfarin, dalteparine, heparine, tinzaparin, enoxaparin, danaparoid, abciximab, alprostadil, altiplase, anagralide, anistreplase, argatroban, ataprost, betaprost, camonagrel, cilostazol, clinprost, clopidogrel, cloricromen, dermatan, desirudine, domitroban, drotaverine, epoprostenol, eptifibatide, fradafiban, gabexate, iloprost, isbogrel, lamifiban, lamoteplase, lefradafiban, lepirudin, levosimendan, lexipafant, melagatran, nafagrel, nafamostsat, nizofenone, orbifiban, ozagrel, pamicogrel, parnaparin, quinobendan, reteplase, sarpogralate, satigrel, silteplase, simendan, ticlopidine, vapiprost, tirofiban, xemilofiban, Y20811, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of anticonvulsants include;

carbamazepine, clonazepam, clorazepine, diazepam, divalproex, ethosuximide, ethotion, felbamate, fosphenyloin, gabapentine, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, lorazepam, mephenyloin, mephobarbital, metharbital, methsuximide, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenyloin, primidone, tiagabine, topiramate, valproic acid, vigabatrin, zonisamide, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of antidiabetic agents include;

acarbose, acetohexamide, carbutamide, chlorpropamide, epalrestat, glibornuride, gliclazide, glimepiride, glipizide, gliquidone, glisoxepide, glyburide, glyhexamide, metformin, miglitol, nateglinide, orlistat, phenbutamide, pioglitazone, repaglinide, rosiglitazone, tolazamide, tolbutamide, tolcyclamide, tolrestat, troglitazone, voglibose, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of antiemetic agents include;

alprazolam, benzquinamide, benztropine, betahistine, chlorpromazine, dexamethasone, difenidol, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, dolasetron, domperidone, dronabinol, droperidol, granisetron, haloperidol, lorazepam, meclizine, methylprednisolone, metoclopramide, ondansetron, perphenazine, prochlorperazine, promethazine, scopolamine, tributin, triethylperazine, triflupromazine, trimethobenzamide, tropisetron, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of antiglaucoma agents include;

alprenoxime, dapiprazole, dipivefrin, latanoprost, naboctate, pimabine, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of antihistaminics include;

acepromazine, acrivastine, activastine, albuterol, alimemazine, antazoline, azelastine, bitolterol, amlexanox, benzydamine, brompheniramine, cetirizine, chlorpheniramine, cimetidine, cinnarizine, clemastine, clofedanol, cycloheptazine, cyproheptadine, diclofenac, difencloxazine, diphenhydramine, dotarizine, ephedrine, epinastine, epinephrine, ethylnorepinephrine, etybenzatropine, fenpentadiol, fenpoterol, fexofenadine, flurbiprofen, hydroxyzine, isoetharine, isoproterenol, ipratropium bromide, ketorolac, levocetirizine, levomepromazine, loratidine, mequitazine, metaproterenol, niaprazine, oxatomide, oxomemazine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, pirbuterol, promethazine, pseudoephedrine, pyrilamine, salmeterol, terbutaline, terfenadine, tranilast, xanthine derivatives, xylometazoline, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of antiinfectious agents, especially antibiotics, antifungal agents and antiviral agents, include;

abacavir, aciclovir, albendazole, amantadine, amphotericin, amikacin, aminosalicylic acid, amoxycillin, ampicillin, amprenavir, atovaquine, azithromycin, aztreonam, carbenicillin, cefaclor, cefadroxil, cefamandole, cefazolin, cefdinir, cefepime, cefexime, cefoperazone, cefotaxime, cefotitam, cefoperazone, cefoxitine, cefpodoxine, cefprozil, ceftazidime, ceftibuten, ceftizoxime, ceftriaxone, cefuroxirme, cephalexine, chloroquine, cidofovir, cilastatin, ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, clavulanic acid, clindamycin, colistimethate, dalfopristin, dapsone, daunorubicin, delavirdine, demeclocycline, didanosine, doxycycline, doxorubicin, efavirenz, enoxacin, erythromycin, ethambutol, ethionamide, famcyclovir, fluconazole, flucytocine, foscarnet, fosfomycin, ganciclovir, gatifloxacin, griseofulvin, hydroxychloroquine, imipenem, indinavir, interferon, isoniazide, itraconazole, ivermectil, ketoconazole, lamivudin, levofloxacin, linizolide, lomefloxacin, loracarbef, mebendazole, mefloquine, meropenem, methanamine, metronidazole, minocycline, moxefloxacin, naldixic acid, nelfinavir, neomycin, nevirapine, nitorfurantoin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, oseltamivir, oxytetracycline, palivizumab, penicillin, perfloxacin, piperacillin, praziquantel, pyrazinamide, pyrimethamine, quinidine, quinupristine, retonavir, ribavirin, rifabutin, rifampicin, rimantadine, saquinavir, sparfloxacin, stavudin, streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole, tetramycin, terbinafine, tetracycline, ticarcillin, thiabendazole, tobramycin, trimethoprim, trimetraxate, troleandomycin, trovafloxacin, valaciclovir, vancomycin, zalcitabine, zanamivir, zidovudine, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of antiparkinson agents include;

amantadine, adrogolide, altinicline, benzatropine, biperiden, brasofensine, bromocriptine, budipine, cabergoline, CHF-1301, dihydrexidine, entacapone, etilevodopa, idazoxane, iometopane, lazabemide, melevodopa, carbidopa, levodopa, mofegiline, moxiraprine, pergolide, pramipexole, quinelorane, rasagiline, ropinirole, seligiline, talipexole, tolcapone, trihexyphenidyl, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of antirheumatic agents include;

azathiprine, betamethasone, celecoxib, cyclosporine, diclofenac, hydroxychloroquine, indomethacin, infliximab, mercaptobutanedioic acid, methylprednisolone, naproxen, penicillamine, piroxicam, prednisolone, sulfasalazine, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of anti-platelet-aggregating agents include;

abciximab, anagrelide, aspirin, cilostazol, clopidogrel, dipyridamole, epoprostenol, eptifibatide, ticlopidine, tinofiban, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of antispasmodic and anticholinergic agents include;

aspirin, atropine, diclofenac, hyoscyamine, mesoprostol, methocarbamol, phenobarbital, scopolamine, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of antitussive agents include;

acetaminophen, acrivastine, albuterol, benzonatate, beractant, brompheniramine, caffeine, calfactant, carbetapentane, chlorpheniramine, codeine, colfuscerine, dextromethorpham, dornase alpha, doxylamine, epinephrine, fexofenadine, guaphenesin, ipratropium, levalbuterol, metaproterenol, montelukast, pentoxyphilline, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, pirbuterol, poractant alpha, pseudoephedrine, pyrilamine, salbuterol, salmeterol, terbutaline, theophylline, zafirlukast, zileuton, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors include;

acetazolamide, dichlorphenamide, dorzolamide, methazolamide, sezolamide, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of cardiovascular agents, especially hypolipemiants, antiarrhythmic agents, vasodilators, antiangina agents, antihypertensives and vasoprotective agents, include;

abciximab, acebutolol, activase, adenosine, adrenaline, amidarone, amiloride, amlodipine, amyl nitrate, atenolol, atorvastatin, benzepril, bepiridil, betaxalol, bisoprolol, candesartan, captopril, cartenolol, carvedilol, cerivastatin, chlorthalidone, chlorthiazole, clofibrate, clonidine, colestipol, colosevelam, digoxin, diltiazem, disopyramide, dobutamine, dofetilide, doxazosine, enalapril, epoprostenol, eprosartan, esmolol, ethacrynate, erythrityl, felodipine, fenoidapam, fosinopril, flecamide, fluorosemide, fluvastatin, gemfibrozil, hydrochlorthiazide, hydroflumethazine, ibutilide, indapamide, isosorbide, irbesartan, labetolol, lacidipine, lisinopril, losartan, lovastatin, mecamylamine, metoprolol, metaminol, metazolone, methylchlothiazide, methyldopa, metyrosine, mexiletine, midrodine, milrinone, moexipril, nadolol, niacin, nicardipine, nicorandil, nifedipine, nimodipine, nisoldipine, nitroglycerine, phenoxybenzamine, perindopril, polythiazide, pravastatin, prazosin, procainamide, propafenone, propranolol, quanfacine, quinapril, quinidine, ranipril, reteplase, simvastatin, sotalol, spironolactone, streptokinase, telmisartan, terazosin, timolol, tocainamide, torsemide, trandolapril, triamteren, trapidil, valsartan, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of vasodilators include;

adenosine, alverine, caffeine, dihydroergocornine, enalapril, enoximone, iloprost, kalleone, lidoflazine, nicardipine, nimodipine, nicotinic acid, papaverine, pilocarpine, salbutamol, theophylline, trandolapril, uradipil, vincamine, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of cholinesterase inhibitors include;

donepezil, edrophonium, neostigmine, pyridostigmine, rivastigmine, tacrine, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of central nervous system stimulants include;

caffeine, doxapram, dexoamphetamine, donepezil, edorphonium, methamphetamine, methylphenidate, modafinil, neostigmine, pemoline, phentermine, pyridostigmine, rivastigmine, tacrine, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of contraceptives include;

desogestral, ethinyl-estradiol, ethynodiol, levonorgestrel, medroxyprogesterone, mestranol, norgestimate, norethindrone, norgestrel, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of agents for treating mucoviscidosis include;

domase alpha, pancrelipase, tobramycin, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of dopamine receptor agonists include;

amantadine, cabergoline, fenoldopam, pergolide, pramipezal, ropinirole, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of agents for treating endometriosis include;

danazol, goserelin, leuprolide, nafarelin, norethindrone, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of agents for treating erectile dysfunction include;

alprostadil, sildenafil, yohimbine, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of agents for treating fertility include;

citrorelix, clomiphen, follitropine, ganirelix, gonadotropin, menotropin, progesterone, urofollitropin, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of agents for treating gastrointestinal disorder include;

alosetron, bisacodyl, bismuth subsalicylate, celecoxib, cimetidine, difoxine, dipheoxylate, docusate, esomeprazole, famotidine, glycopyrrolate, infliximab, lansoprazole, loperamide, metaclopramide, nizatidine, omeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, ranitidine, simethicone, sucralfate, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of immunomodulators and immunosuppressants include;

azathioprine, ceftizoxine, cyclosporine, daclizumab, glatiramer, immunoglobulin, interferon, leflunomide, levamisol, mycophenolate, phthalidomide, ribavirine, sirolimus, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of agents for treating Alzheimer'"'"'s disease include;

CP 118954, donepezil, galanthamine, metrifonate, revastigmine, tacrine, TAK-147, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of antimigraine agents include;

acetaminophen, dihydroergotamine, divalproex, ergotamine, propranolol, risatriptan, sumatriptan, trimetrexate, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of muscle relaxants include;

alcuronium chloride, azapropazone, atracurium, baclofen, carisoprodol, quinine derivatives, chloromezanone, chlorophenesincarbamate, chlorozoxazone, cyclobenzaprine, dantrolen, decamethonium bromide, dimethyltubocurarinium chloride, doxacurium, fenyramidol, gallamine triethiodide, guaiphenesin, hexafluorenium bromide, hexacarbacholine bromide, memantin, mephenesin, meprobamate, metamisol, metaxalone, methocarbamol, mivacurium, orphenadrine, pancuronium, phenazone, phenprobamate, pipecuronium, rapacuronium, rocuronium, succinylcholine, suxamethonium chloride, tetrazepam, tizanidine, tubocurarine chloride, tybamate, vecuronium, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of nucleoside analogs include;

abacavir, aciclovir, didanosine, gamciclovir, gemcitabine, lamivudine, ribavirin, stavudine, zalcitabine, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of agents for treating osteoporosis include;

alendronate, calcitonin, estradiol, estropipate, medroxyprogesterone, norethindrone, norgestimate, pamidronate, raloxifen, risdronate, zoledronate, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of parasympathomimetic agents include;

bethanechol, piperidine, edrophonium, glycopyrolate, hyoscyamine, pilocarpine, tacrine, yohimbine, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of prostaglandins include;

alprostadil, epoprostenol, misoprostol, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of psychotherapeutic agents include;

acetophenazine, alentemol, alpertine, alprazolam, amitriptyline, apriprazole, azaperone, batelapine, befipiride, benperidol, benzindopyrine, bimithil, biriperone, brofoxine, bromperidol, broniperidol, bupropione, buspirone, butaclamol, butaperazine, butaperazin, carphenazine, carvotroline, cericlamine, chlorazepine, chlordiazepoxide, chlorpromazine, chlorprothixen, cinperen, cintriamide, citalopram, clomacran, clonazepam, clopenthixol, clopimozide, clopipazan, cloroperone, clothiapine, clothixamide, clozapine, cyclophenazine, dapiprazole, dapoxetine, desipramine, divalproex, dipyridamole, doxepin, droperidol, duloxetine, eltoprazine, eptipirone, etazolate, fenimide, flibanserine, flucindole, flumezapine, fluoxetine, fluphenazine, fluspiperone, fluspirilen, flutroline, fluvoxamine, gepirone, gevotroline, halopemide, haloperidol, hydroxyzine, hydroxynortriptyline, iloperidone, imidoline, lamotrigine, loxapine, enperone, mazapertine, mephobarbital, meprobamate, mesoridazine, mesoridazine, milnacipran, mirtazepine, metiapine, milenperone, milipertine, molindone, nafadotride, naranol, nefazodone, neflumozide, ocaperidone, odapipam, olanzapine, oxethiazine, oxiperomide, pagoclone, paliperidone, paroxiten, penfluridol, pentiapine, perphenazine, phenelzine, pimozide, pinoxepin, pipamperone, piperacetazine, pipotiazine, piquindone, pirlindole, pivagabine, pramipexole, prochlorperazine, promazine, quetiapine, reboxetine, remoxipride, risperidone, rimcazole, robolzotan, selegiline, seperidol, sertraline, sertindole, seteptiline, setoperone, spiperone, sunipitrone, tepirindole, thioridazine, thiothixen, tiapride, tioperidone, tiospirone, topiramate, tranylcypromine, trifluoperazine, trifluperidol, triflupromazine, trimipramine, venlafaxine, ziprasidone, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of sedatives, hypnotics and tranquilizers include;

bromazepam, buspirone, clazolam, clobazam, chlorazepate, diazepam, demoxepam, dexmedetomidine, diphenyhydramine, doxylamine, enciprazine, estrazolam, hydroxyzine, ketazolam, lorazatone, lorazepam, loxapine, medazepam, meperidine, methobarbital, midazolam, nabilone, nisobamate, oxazepam, pentobarbital, promethazine, propofol, triazolam, zaleplon, zolpidem, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of dermatological treatment agents include;

acitretin, alclometasone, alitretinoin, betamethasone, calciprotrine, chlorhexidine, clobetasol, clocortolone, clotriamozole, collagenase, cyclosporine, desonide, difluorosone, doxepine, eflomithine, finasteride, fluocinolone, flurandrenolide, fluticasone, halobetasol, hydrochloroquine, hydroquinone, hydroxyzine, ketoconazole, mafenide, malathion, menobenzone, neostigmine, nystatin, podofilox, povidone, tazoroten, tretinoin, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof;

examples of steroids and hormones include;

alclometasone, betamethasone, calcitonine, citrorelix, clobetasol, clocortolone, cortisones, danazol, desmopressin, desonide, desogestrel, desoximetasone, dexamethasone, diflorasone, estradiol, estrogens, estropipate, ethynilestradiol, fluocinolone, flurandrenolide, fluticasone, glucagon, gonadotropin, goserelin, halobetasol, hydrocortisone, leuprolide, levonorgestrel, levothyroxine, medroxyprogesterone, menotropins, methylprednisolone, methyltestosterone, mometasone, naferelin, norditropin, norethindrone, norgestrel, octreolide, oxandrolone, oxymetholone, polytropin, prednicarbate, prednisolone, progesterone, sermorelin, somatropin, stanozolol, testosterone, urofollitropin, and salts thereof, esters thereof, hydrates thereof, polymorphs thereof and isomers thereof.

19. A pharmaceutical, veterinary or dietetic formulation, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of coated microparticles as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, advantageously at least 500, preferably from 1000 to 1 000 000 and even more preferentially from 5000 to 500 000 microparticles.

20. A pharmaceutical, veterinary or dietetic formulation, characterized in that it comprises coated microparticles as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18 and in that it is in a pharmaceutical form chosen from the group comprising:

tablets, powders, suspensions, syrups, powders for suspension to be reconstituted, or gel capsules.

21. The formulation as claimed in claim 19 or 20, also comprising at least one active principle in an immediate-release form.

22. The formulation as claimed in claim 21, in which at least one active principle in an immediate-release form is the same as an active principle contained in at least some of the microparticles.

23. The formulation as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 22, comprising a plurality of populations of microparticles, said populations differing from each other by their lag time and/or by their triggering pH and/or by their rate of release and/or by the active principle they contain.

24. The use of the coated microparticles as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, for the preparation of pharmaceutical, veterinary or dietetic formulations as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 23.