SUSTAINED-RELEASE GRANULES OF SULFAMETHOXAZOLE FOR CHICKEN UTILIZING FRICTIONAL POWER OF GIZZARD

We designed a novel sustained release preparation for chicken which re sides in the gizzard and releases drug gradually following crushing du e to the power of the gizzard. Considering the ease of administration, we selected hard granules consisting of a model drug, sulfamethoxazol e (SMX), and polymers as the dosage form. When SMX was administered at a dose of 300 mg/kg as granules consisting of SMX (50%), EC (47.5%) a nd HPC (2.5%), the AUC value reached 72% of that in SMX powder. Moreov er, the effective plasma concentration of SMX was maintained for appro x. 4 days, which is 8-times longer than in the case of ordinary admini stration of SMX powder. The results suggest the possibility of develop ment of sustained release dosage forms utilizing the frictional power of the gizzard.