596215 EXTENDED RELEASE FORMULATIONS OF ERYTHROMYCIN DERIVATIVES Provided is a pharmaceutical composition for extended release of clarithromycin in the gastrointestinal environment, comprising 50% by weight clarithromycin and from 10 to 30% by weight of hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose having a viscosity of 100 cps, so that when ingested orally, the composition induces statistically significantly lower mean fluctuation index in the plasma than an immediate release composition of clarithromycin while maintaining bioavailability substantially equivalent to that of the immediate release composition of clarithromycin, preparable by dry blending the polymer, clarithromycin, and other excipients followed by granulating the mixture using water until proper granulation is obtained.
