Disclosed is a misuse preventative, controlled releaseformulation comprising a core comprising a superabsorbent material(for example, polycarbophil), a controlled release coat surroundingthe core, and a plurality of controlled release microparticles havinga pharmaceutically active agent (for example, an opioid analgesic)disposed within the core, the coat, or both the core and the coat.When crushed, either intentionally or accidentally, and exposed toan aqueous medium, the superabsorbent material present in the coreswells to encapsulate the microparticles, which remain substantiallyintact thereby retarding the release of the pharmaceutically activeagent from the formulation. Also disclosed is a method of usingthe misuse preventative, controlled release formulation to deliver apharmaceutically active agent to a mammal, for example, a human,in need thereof.
