[Characteristics of a new controlled release formulation of ursodesoxycholic acid]

Ursodeoxycholic acid, like all weak acids, has to be formulated so as his release and absorption depend as little as possible by the pH of gastrointestinal tract. To obtain this result a controlled release formulation of UDCA was developed, based on bioadhesive technique. This allowed a longer residence and absorption time of the active ingredient both at gastric (due to gastrosoluble rate) and duodenal-jejunum level (gastroresistant rate). Thus, all the absorption windows for bile acids are utilized, to ameliorate the total bioavailability of the drug.