PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS OF GALANTAMINE
INTRODUCTION TO THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to controlled release compositions of galantamine, processes to prepare the compositions, their in vitro release profiles and methods of use and methods of treatment using the said compositions.
Galantamine is chemically known as (4aS,6R,8aS)-4a.5,9,10,11,12- hexahydro-3-methoxy-11-methyl-6H-benzofuro[3a,3,2-ef][2]benzazepin-6-ol and is structurally represented as Formula I. It is a reversible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase that binds specifically to the nicotinic receptors. Galantamine hydrobromide is a white to almost white powder and is sparingly soluble in water.

Galantamine hydrobromide been approved in the United States for treating Alzheimer's disease. It is marketed by Janssen under the brand name of RAZADYNE™ tablets containing galantamine hydrobromide and having strengths of 4, 8, and 12 mg; RAZADYNE™ oral solution of strength 4 mg/ml; and RAZADYNE™ ER extended release capsules of strengths 8,16, and 24 mg. These strengths are expressed as contained galantamine base. RAZADYNE™ is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimer's type.
International Application Publication Nos. WO 00/38686 and WO 2005/048979 disclose modified release formulations containing galantamine.
International Application Publication No. WO 2005/065661 discloses a fast dissolving formulation and a sustained release formulation comprising galantamine.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0097484 discloses a once daily pharmaceutical composition comprising galantamine.
The extended release pharmaceutical composition of present invention exhibits desired in vitro dissolution profile and may serve as an economic alternative to the marketed product, RAZADYNE™ ER extended release capsules with decrease in the frequency of administration and thus, better patient compliance.
This and others such needs are addressed by the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An aspect of present invention provides for a pharmaceutical composition comprising galantamine or a salt thereof, a portion of the contained galantamine being present in an immediate release form and another portion being present in an extended release form.
Another aspect of present invention provides for a pharmaceutical composition comprising galantamine or a salt thereof in combination with a rate controlling substance, having an exterior coating of the same or a different rate controlling substance.
In one aspect, a pharmaceutical composition comprises a capsule containing tablets comprising galantamine or a salt thereof, the tablets being coated with a rate controlling substance.
In another aspect, a pharmaceutical composition comprises a capsule containing pharmacologically inert particles having a coating comprising galantamine or a salt thereof and a rate controlling substance, and having an exterior coating comprising a rate controlling substance.
In an embodiment of the invention, a pharmaceutical composition comprises a portion of the contained galantamine, which is present in more than one extended release form.
In another embodiment of the invention, an immediate release form of pharmaceutical composition comprises pharmacologically inert particles that are coated with galantamine or a salt thereof.
In further embodiment of the invention an extended release form of pharmaceutical composition comprises pharmacologically inert particles that are coated with galantamine or a salt thereof, and having an outer coating comprising a rate controlling substance.
In an embodiment of the invention, controlled release compositions of galantamine provides a release of at least about 30% - about 70% of galantamine in about 1 hour and more than about 70% of galantamine in about 10 hours, as measured in a buffer pH 6.8 at 37 °C, using USP dissolution apparatus 2 at 50 rpm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figures described below are provided to exemplify the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Sizes and shapes indicated in the figures are only representative of the invention; other sizes and shapes are within the scope of this invention.
Figure 1: Capsule composition comprising mini-formulation in the form of pellets.
Figure 2: Capsule composition comprising mini-formulation in the form of compressed tablets.
Figure 3: Capsule composition comprising mini-formulation in the form of pellets and compressed tablets.
Figure 4: Mini-formulation, core comprising active ingredient and water-soluble or water-insoluble component, coated with combination of at least a water-soluble and at least a water-insoluble component.
Figure 5: Mini-formulation, core comprising active ingredient and coated with combination of at least a water-soluble and atleast a water-insoluble component.
Figure 6: Mini-formulation, core coated with mixture of active ingredient and water-soluble or water-insoluble component and further coated with combination of at least a water-soluble and atleast a water-insoluble component.
Figure 7: Mini-formulation, core coated with active ingredient and further coated with combination of at least a water-soluble and at least a water-insoluble component.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The term "active ingredient" herein refers to a pharmaceutically active molecule as well as its pharmaceutically acceptable and therapeutically active salts, esters, amides, prodrugs, metabolites, enantiomers, polymorphs, analogs, etc. that induce a desired pharmacological or physiological effect. Terms like "active", "active agent", "active substance", "active pharmaceutical substance", "pharmacologically active agent", "drug" and "drug substance" may be used synonymously for "active ingredient".
The present invention relates to controlled release compositions of galantamine, processes to prepare the compositions, their in vitro release profiles and methods of use and methods of treatment using the compositions.
In an embodiment, the present invention includes controlled release compositions of galantamine, wherein compositions comprise two separate portions wherein one portion releases galantamine in an immediate release manner and other portion releases galantamine in an extended release manner.
In another embodiment of the invention, controlled release compositions of galantamine comprise galantamine and at least one rate controlling substance in a single layer with or without other pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.
In an embodiment of the invention, controlled release compositions of galantamine provides a release of at least about 30% to about 70% of galantamine in about 1 hour and more than about 70% of galantamine in about 10 hours, as measured in a buffer pH 6.8 at 37 °C, using USP dissolution apparatus 2 at 50 rpm.
Galantamine used in the present invention can be in the form of the base or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or combinations of base and one or more salts, or combinations of one or more salts. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of galantamine include but are not limited to the hydrochloride, hydrobromide and the like.
In an embodiment of the invention, galantamine hydrobromide is a useful active ingredient in the range of about 2 mg to 60 mg, or about 4 mg to 40 mg, per dosing unit.
In an aspect of the invention, compositions comprising two separate portions may be presented in the form of particulate compositions comprising immediate release galantamine particles and extended release galantamine particles in a defined ratio either filled into a capsule shell or compressed as a tablet formulation or filled into sachets.
In an embodiment of the invention, the ratio of the two portions IR to ER may range from 10:90 to 50:50, or 20:80 to 30:70, w/w equivalent to total galantamine present in the dosage form.
Immediate release particles of the invention may be prepared as powders, granules, pellets, beads and the like using manufacturing processes such as direct blending, dry granulation, wet granulation, pelletization techniques such as but not limited to extrusion-spheronization, dry powder or solution or dispersion
layering of galantamine onto inert beads or pellets or particles using conventional coating techniques or fluid bed coating techniques.
Extended release particles of the invention may be prepared as powders, granules, pellets, beads and the like using manufacturing processes such as direct blending, dry granulation, wet granulation, pelletization techniques such as but not limited to extrusion-spheronization, dry powder or solution or dispersion layering of galantamine onto inert beads or pellets or particles using conventional coating techniques or fluid bed coating techniques. Extended release particles may comprise galantamine and rate controlling substance together in one layer, or galantamine and a portion of rate controlling substance together in one layer and a remaining portion of rate controlling substance in a different layer, or galantamine and rate controlling substances together in different layers. In a specific embodiment of the invention wherein galantamine and rate controlling substances are together in different layers, then a galantamine layer comprises a water insoluble component.
In an embodiment of the invention, two portions of the composition comprise:
a) IR portion comprising
a. Galantamine hydrobromide and water insoluble component loaded onto inert particles such as Celphere.
b. Drug loaded pellets are optionally coated with a film coating substance.
b) ER portion comprising
a. Galantamine hydrobromide and water insoluble component loaded onto inert particles such as Celphere.
b. Drug loaded particles are coated with rate controlling substance with or without additional pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.
c. Above coated pellets are further optionally coated with a film coating substance.
c) Defined ratio of particles from a) and b) are blended with or without other pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.
d) Above blend is either filled into a capsule or compressed as tablet. Tablets are further optionally coated.
In another embodiment of the invention, wherein galantamine and at least one rate controlling substance are present in a single layer include but not limited to compositions:
a) Particulate compositions of galantamine and at least one rate controlling substance are mixed or dry or wet granulated or extruded- spheronized and said particles are further optionally coated with a film coating substance or same or different rate controlling substances.
b) Particulate compositions wherein galantamine and at least one rate controlling substance together are layered onto an inert particle or bead or pellet through powder or solution or dispersion coating using conventional or fluid bed coating systems and said particles are further optionally coated with a film coating substance or same or different rate controlling substances.
c) In the above two options, the galantamine portion may either contain a water-soluble or water insoluble component.
Useful water-soluble components include, but are not limited to, polymers such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl alcohol, carbomer, carageenan, carboxymethyl cellulose, and sugars such as mannitol and lactose, or mixtures thereof.
Useful water-insoluble components include, but are not limited to: acrylic acid derivatives; alkyl derivatives of cellulose like ethylcellulose, cellulose esters such as cellulose acetate, cellulose propionate, cellulose acetate propionate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate phthalate, and cellulose triacetate; waxes such as beeswax, carnauba wax, and microcrystalline wax; fatty alcohols such as cetostearyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, and myristyl alcohol; and fatty acid esters like glyceryl monostearate, glycerol monooleate, acetylated
monoglycerides, tristearin, tripalmitin, cetyl esters wax, and glyceryl palmitostearate, glyceryl behenate; and hydrogenated castor oil.
In an embodiment of the invention, ethylcellulose and various grades of Eudragit™ products such as Eudragit NE30D were found to be useful as a water- insoluble component. Eudragit NE30D is a 30% aqueous dispersion of poly(ethylacrylate-methylmethactylate).
Ethylcellulose is commercially available as Ethocel®. Ethocel® Premium is available in different viscosities like 7 cps, 10 cps, 20 cps, 45 cps and 100 cps, with an average particle size more than 250 jum. It is used by dissolving in an organic solvent for the preparation of dosage form while Ethocel® standard FP premium which is available in viscosities 7 cps, 10 cps and 100 cps is very finely milled and can be used for direct compression in matrix compositions. Ethylcellulose is also available as an aqueous dispersion under the trade name of Aquacoat® ECD, Aqualon® and Surelease®.
Surelease® is a plasticized aqueous dispersion of ethyl cellulose used for extended release coatings and taste masking applications, available as 25% by weight solid content and is manufactured by Colorcon Ltd. of Dartford Kent, United Kingdom.
In another aspect of the invention, the water-soluble component is used as a pore-forming agent. The term "pore-forming agent" refers to a pharmaceutically acceptable agent that dissolves in its surrounding medium and results in formation of pores in the membrane to facilitate the diffusion of active ingredient through the membrane.
In one aspect of the invention, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose was found to be useful as a water-soluble component.
Compositions of present invention may comprise pharmaceutical excipients such as, but not limited to, diluents, binders, disintegrants, colourants, anti-oxidants, sweeteners, and film-forming agents.
Common diluents useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to, microcrystalline cellulose, silicified microcrystalline cellulose, microfine cellulose, lactose, starch, pregelatinized starch, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, sugar, dextrates, dextrin, dextrose, mannitol, sorbitol, dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate, tribasic calcium phosphate, kaolin, magnesium carbonate, magnesium oxide, maltodextrin, polyniethacrylates, and mixtures thereof.
Binders useful in the present inyention include, but are not limited to, starches, microcrystalline cellulose, methylcellulose, cellulose ethers, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, ethylcellulose, dextrose, lactose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, polyethylene glycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, pectins, gelatin, polyacrylamides, polyvinyloxoazolidone, polyvinylalcohols, and mixtures thereof.
Inert beads or pellets useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to microcrystalline cellulose spheres, silicon dioxide or glass beads, dicalcium phosphate particles, plastic ^polypropylene or polyethylene) resin particles, and the like.
In an embodiment of the invention, Celphere™ microcrystalline cellulose spheres manufactured by Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation, Tokyo, Japan are useful.
Rate controlling substances useful in the present invention include but are not limited to water soluble or water insoluble substances. Water soluble rate controlling substances include but are not limited to cellulose derivatives such as methylcellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, cross- linked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose,, and cross-linked hydroxypropyl cellulose; carboxymethylamide; potassium methacrylate/divinylbenzene copolymers; polymethylmethacrylate; polyhydroxyalkyl methacrylate; cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone; high-molecular weight polyvinylalcohols; gums such as natural gum, agar, agrose, sodium alginate, carrageenan, fucoidan, furcellaran, laminaran, hypnea, eucheums, gum arabic, gum ghatti, gum karaya, gum tragacanth and locust bean gum; hydrophilic colloids such as alginates, carbopol and polyacrylamides; other substances such as arbinoglactan, pectin, amyiopectin, gelatin, N-vinyl lactams, polysaccharides; and the like. Combinations of any two or more of these polymers, and other polymers having the required properties are within the scope of the invention.
Water insoluble substances include but not limited to celluloses such as methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose (L-HPC), cellulose acetates and their derivatives, cellulose acetate phthalate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate, cellulose acylate, cellulose diacylate, cellulose triacylate, cellulose acetate, cellulose diacetate, cellulose triacetate, mono-, di- and tri-cellulose alkanylates, mono-, di-, and tri-cellulose arylates, and mono-, di- and tri-cellulose alkenylates, crosslinked vinylpyrrolidone polymers (also called "crospovidone"), glyceryl behenate, polymethacrylic acid based polymers and copolymers sold under the trade name of EUDRAGIT™ (including Eudragit RL and RS, NE-30D), zein, and aliphatic polyesters. Other classes of polymers, copolymers of these polymers or their mixtures in various ratios and proportions as required are within the scope of this invention without limitation.
The composition disclosed in tl^e present invention is useful in clinical
conditions requiring administration of galantamine and pharmaceutically
i
acceptable salts. Such conditions include treatment of Alzheimer's dementia and related dementias, facial neuralgia, alcoholism, nicotine dependence, nerve gas poisoning, mania, chronic fatigue syndrome, schizophrenia, and negative effects of benzodiazepine treatment.
The following examples further illustrate certain specific aspects and embodiments of the invention in greater detail and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
EXAMPLES
EXAMPLE 1: Galantamine ER capsules (8 mg) comprising two portions of particulate composition.
* Celphere™ CP507 (microcrystalline cellulose spheres, particle size range 500- 710 //m) is manufactured by Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. ** Eudragit NE30D and Eudragit EPO are manufactured by Rohm Hass.
Manufacturing process:
Immediate release pellets:
1. Galantamine hydrobromide was dispersed in isopropyl alcohol with stirring.
2. Water was slowly added to the dispersion of step 1 with stirring until a clear solution was obtained.
3. Eudragit NE30D was added to the solution of step 2 with stirring at 2500 rpm
4. The solution of step 3 was spray coated over Celphere™ pellets in a fluidized bed processor (Gansons Limited, India).
5. Coated pellets of step 4 were c|ried to achieve loss on drying less than about 2 % w/w determined at 105 °C.
Extended release pellets:
1. Galantamine hydrobromide was dispersed in isopropyl alcohol with stirring.
2. Water was slowly added to the dispersion of step 1 with stirring until a clear solution was obtained.
3. Eudragit NE30D was added to the solution of step 2 with stirring at 2500 rpm.
4. The solution of step 3 was spray coated over Celphere™ in a fluidized bed processor (Gansons Limited, Inpia).
5. Coated pellets of step 4 were dried to achieve loss on drying less than about 2 % w/w determined at 105 °C.
6. Eudragit EPO was dissolved in isopropyl alcohol and ethyl cellulose was added with stirring to the clear Solution.
7. Talc was dispersed in water under stirring.
8. Talc dispersion was added to a solution of step 6.
9. The drug-coated pellets of step 5 were further coated with the dispersion of step 8 till 10% weight built up was obtained.
10. Coated pellets of step 9 were dried to achieve loss on drying less than about 2 % w/w determined at 105 °C.
11. The immediate release pellets and the extended release pellets were mixed and filled into a capsule.
In vitro release profile with the following parameters:
• Media: Phosphate buffer pH 6.8.
• Volume: 500 ml
• Apparatus: USP apparatus 2 (paddle) from Test 711 Dissolution in United States Pharmacopeia 24, United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc., Rockville, Maryland (1999).
• Speed: 50 rpm
Manufacturing process:
A. Drug loading:
1. Galantamine HBr was dispersed in isopropyl alcohol with stirring.
2. Water was slowly added to the dispersion of step 1 with stirring until a clear solution was obtained.
3. Eudragit NE30D was added to the solution of step 2 with stirring at 2500 rpm
4. The solution of step 3 was spray coated over Celphere™ in a fluidized bed processor (Gansons Limited, India).
B. Extended release coating solution:
5. Eudragit EPO was dissolved in Isopropyl alcohol and Ethyl cellulose was added with stirring to the clear Solution.
6. Talc was dispersed in purified water under stirring.
7. Remaining quantity of purified water added to the step 5 and stirred till a clear solution was formed.
8. Dispersion of step 6 was added to clear solution of step 7 under stirring.
9. The drug-coated pellets of step 4 were further coated with the suspension of step 8 to get a weight build up of 6% w/w.
10. ER pellets and IR pellets (65 pgrts and 35 parts by weight, respectively) were blended and filled into capsules.
In vitro release profile with the following parameters:
• Media: Phosphate buffer pH 6.8.
• Volume: 500 ml
• Apparatus: USP apparatus 2 (paddle) from Test 711 Dissolution in United States Pharmacopeia 24, United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc., Rockville, Maryland (1999).
• Speed: 50 rpm

EXAMPLE 3: Capsules comprising galantamine and rate controlling substance in one layer coated over inert particle.

Manufacturing process:
1. Galantamine HBr was disperse^ in isopropyl alcohol with stirring.
2. Water was slowly added to the dispersion of step 1 with stirring until a clear solution was obtained.
3. Ethyl cellulose was added to the solution of step 2 with stirring at 2500 rpm
4. The solution of step 3 was spray coated over Celphere™ in a fluidized bed processor (Gansons Limited, India).
5. The coated pellets were filled into a capsule.
EXAMPLE 4: Capsules comprising galantamine and rate controlling substance in one layer (granulation or peptization of galantamine and rate controlling substance).

Manufacturing process: A. Core pellets
1. Mix galantamine and MCC PH101 in rapid mixer granulator for 10 minutes followed by granulation with water until a suitable wet mass is observed.
2. The wet mass was extrudated using 1.0 mm sieves followed by spheronization at 750 rpm for jO minutes until uniform wet pellets were formed.
3. The pellets were dried at 60°C in a fluid bed dryer until the loss on drying CLOD") at 105°C was below 1.5%.
B. Extended release coating
4. Eudragit EPO was dissolved in Isopropyl alcohol and ethyl cellulose was added with stirring to the clear solution.
5. Talc was dispersed in water under stirring.
6. Remaining quantity of water was added to step 4 and stirred until a clear solution was formed.
7. Dispersion of step-5 was added to the clear solution of step 6 under stirring.
8. The core pellets of step 3 were further coated with the suspension of step 7 in a fluidized bed processor (Gansons Limited, India) to get a weight build up of 6% w/w.
9. The coated pellets were filled iijito a capsule.
EXAMPLE 5: Capsules comprising galantamine and a portion of rate controlling substance in one layer (granulation or pelletization of galantamine and rate controlling substance), and rest of rate controlling substance in other layer.
Manufacturing process:
A. Core pellets
1. Mix galantamine and microcrystalline cellulose in rapid mixer granulator (Make-Sans 20L) for 10 minutes followed by granulation with water until a suitable wet mass is observed.
2. The wet mass was extruded using 1.0 mm sieves followed by spheronization at 750 rpm for 10 minutes until uniform wet pellets were formed.
3. The pellets were dried at 60°C in a fluid bed dryer until the LOD at 105°C was below 1.5% w/w.
B. Extended release coating
4. Eudragit EPO was dissolved in Isopropyl alcohol and ethylcellulose was added with stirring to the clear solution.
5. Talc was dispersed in water under stirring.
6. Remaining quantity of water was added to the step 5 and stirred until a clear solution was formed.
7. Dispersion of step 5 was added to clear solution of step 6 under stirring.
8. The core pellets of step 3 were further coated with the suspension of step 7 in a fluidized bed processor (Gansons Limited, India) until weight build ups of 3% w/w (Pellets A) and 6%w/w (pellets B) were obtained.
9. Mixed Pellets A and Pellets B in the ratio of 1:1 by weight.
10. The mixed pellets were filled into a capsule.
EXAMPLE 6: Capsules comprising galantamine and one rate controlling substance in one layer (granulation or peptization of galantamine and rate controlling substance) another rate controlling substance in other layer.

Manufacturing process: A. Core pellets
1. Mixed galantamine and MCC PH101 in rapid mixer granulator for 10 minutes followed by granulation with water until a suitable wet mass was observed.
2. The wet mass was extrudated using 1.0 mm sieves followed by spheronization at 750 rpm for 10 minutes until uniform wet pellets are formed.
3. The pellets were dried at 60°C in fluid bed dryer until the LOD at 105°C was below 1.5%w/w.
B. Extended release coating solution (for pellets A):
4. Ethyl cellulose was dissolved in isopropyl alcohol with stirring and water was added to it until a clear solution was obtained.
5. Acetyl tributyl citrate was added to step 4 solution under stirring.
6. The part of core pellets of step 3 were further coated with the solution of step 5 in a fluidized bed processor until a weight build up of 3% w/w was obtained (Pellets A).
C. Extended release coating solution (for pellets B):
7. Eudragit NE 30D was dispersed in water with stirring.
8. Acetyl tributyl citrate was dissolved in isopropyl alcohol and added to step 7dispersion under stirring.
9. The second part of core pellets of step 3 were further coated with the dispersion of step 8 in a fluidized bed processor (Gansons Limited, India) until a weight build up of 6% w/w was obtained (Pellets B).
10. Mixed Pellets A and Pellets B in the ratio of 30:70 by weight.
11 .The mixed pellets were filled into a capsule.
EXAMPLE 7: Capsules comprising mini-formulations as compressed dosage
forms.
Manufacturing process:
A. Preparation of mini-formulations:
1. Galantamine hydrobromide and microcrystalline cellulose were passed
through an ASTM 40 mesh sieve and blended in a planetary mixer.
2. Povidone was dissolved in water with stirring.
3. Blend of step 1 was granulated using the povidone solution of step 2.
4. The granules were dried in a fluidized bed dryer at a temperature 60°C, until the loss on drying was below 1 % (measured using halogen moisture balance at 105 °C)
5. The granules of step 4 were passed through an ASTM 25 mesh sieve.
6. The oversized granules were milled in a comminuting mill and passed through an ASTM 25 mesh sieve.
7. Magnesium stearate was passed through an ASTM 40 mesh sieve.
8. The combined granules of steps 5 and 6 were blended with the magnesium stearate of step 7.
9. The blend of step 8 was compressed in a rotary tablet-punching machine using standard concave punches of diameter 2.5 mm.
B. Coating of mini-formulations:
1. Ethylcellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose were dissolved in isopropyl alcohol.
2. Compressed mini-formulations prepared in Part A were coated with the solution of step 1 in a perforated coating pan (Gans coater) and dried at 45 °C.
C. Filling Tablets into a capsule: About 11 coated mini-formulations (equivalent to 8 mg galantamine base) of Part B were incorporated into a size 1 capsule.
EXAMPLE 8: Capsules containing mini-formulations in the form of pellets.

Manufacturing process:
1. Galantamine hydrobromide was dispersed in isopropyl alcohol with stirring.
2. Water was slowly added to the dispersion of step 1 with stirring until a clear solution was obtained.
3. Ethylcellulose was dissolved in the solution of step 2 with stirring at 2500 rpm
4. The solution of step 3 was spray coated over Celphere™ in a fluidized bed dryer (Gansons Limited, India).
5. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose was dissolved in water and Surelease® was added with stirring.
6. The drug-coated pellets of step 4 were further coated with the suspension of step 5.
7. Coated pellets were filled into a capsule.
EXAMPLE 9: In-vitro dissolution of capsules containing galantamine mini- formulations.
Dissolution conditions (Test 711-Dissolution from United States Pharmacopeia 24, United States Pharmacopoeial Convention, Inc., Rockville, Maryland, 1999). . Dissolution medium: Phosphate buffer pH 6.8
• Volume of dissolution medium: 500 ml
• Dissolution apparatus: Apparatus 1 (Basket type)
• Stirring speed: 100 rpm

CLAIMS:
1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising galantamine or a salt thereof, a portion of the contained galantamine being present in an immediate release form and another portion being present in an extended release form.
2. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein a portion of the contained galantamine is present in more than one extended release form.
3. The pharmaceutical composition of either of claims 1 or 2, wherein an immediate release form comprises pharmacologically inert particles that are coated with galantamine or a salt thereof.
4. The pharmaceutical composition of either of claims 1 or 2, wherein an extended release form comprises pharmacologically inert particles that are coated with galantamine or a salt thereof, and having an outer coating comprising a rate controlling substance.
5. A pharmaceutical composition comprising galantamine or a salt thereof in combination with a rate controlling substance, having an exterior coating of the same or a different rate controlling substance.
6. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 5, wherein a combination of galantamine or a salt thereof and a rate controlling substance is coated onto pharmacologically inert particles.
7. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a capsule containing tablets comprising galantamine or a salt thereof, the tablets being coated with a rate controlling substance.
8. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a capsule containing pharmacologically inert particles having a coating comprising galantamine or a salt thereof and a rate controlling substance, and having an exterior coating comprising a rate controlling substance. v/'