TIMERx-N
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 13, 2024.
Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)
What is it?
TIMERx is a drug delivery technology used in some extended-release formulations. Drugs using TIMERx technology are formulated by combining the active drug substance, the TIMERx matrix and additional excipients, and compressing the mixture into a tablet. The TIMERx drug delivery platform is based on a hydrophilic matrix combining a heterodispersed mixture composed primarily of two polysaccharides, xanthan gum and locust bean gum, in the presence of dextrose. Under the TIMERx delivery system, drug release is controlled by the rate of water penetration from the gastrointestinal, or GI, tract into the TIMERx gum matrix, which expands to form a gel and subsequently releases the active drug substance. Opana ER (oxymorphone) is one brand that uses the TIMERx delivery technology.[1]
References
- Staniforth, et al. TIMERx: novel polysaccharide composites for controlled/programmed release of drugs in the gastrointestinal tract. Expert Opin Drug Deliv. 2005 May;2(3):587-95. Accessed February 13, 2015 at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16296777
Further information
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