A first pharmacologically active substance contained in a pharmaceutical, which acts on a specific biological function, is released according to a predetermined release profile (D.1), FIG. 1, and generates a first activity profile (I.1) that has flank phases with increasing and decreasing activity intensity. For changing such flank phases, an additional pharmacologically active substance is used which acts on the same biological function and which is released according to a release profile (D.2) such that its activity profile (I.2) overlays the first activity profile (I.1) within the flank phase to be changed. For shortening an end flank phase, an additional substance is used whose activity is counter to the activity of the first substance and cancels, reduces, or overpowers this activity in its declining phase. Accordingly, with the aforementioned pharmaceutical, undesirable aftereffects of a pharmacologically active substance, for example, can be prevented. In one embodiment, a sedative is contained as a first pharmacologically active substance, which is released immediately, and a stimulant, which is released with delay and thus counteracts uncomfortable aftereffects of the sedative in its end phase, is contained as an additional pharmacologically active substance.
The present invention relates to the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and/or the improvement of motor function in individuals in need of such improvement using a melatonin compound or a pharmaceutical salt of the melatonin compound.
A multiparticulate controlled release selective serotonin reuptate inhibitor (SSRI) formulation for oral administration is provided. The formulation includes particles of an SSRI or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which are coated with a rate-controlling polymer that allows controlled release of the SSRI over a period of not less than about 12 hours after oral administration. The rate controlling polymer includes a film-forming water-insoluble polymer, or a mixture of a film-forming water-insoluble polymer and a film-forming water-soluble polymer.
