THE EFFECT OF FOOD ON THE IN-VIVO BEHAVIOR OF ENTERIC-COATED STARCH CAPSULES

Eight healthy volunteers were entered into a randomised, open crossove r study to investigate the in vivo behaviour of an enteric coated star ch capsule. A radiolabelled preparation was administered to each volun teer on two occasions separated by 7 days, once in the fasted state an d once after a medium breakfast. The gastrointestinal transit and disi ntegration behaviour of the enteric coated capsule was followed using gamma scintigraphy. No loss of integrity was observed in the stomach c onfirming the gastroresistant properties of the preparation. With one exception, all capsules released their contents in the small bowel. Ca psule disintegration was influenced by the gastric residence time; cap sules which were retained within the fed stomach disintegrated sooner following gastric emptying, compared with capsules which left the stom ach rapidly.