KR19990028664A - Oral administration of individual units - Google Patents

Abstract

An oral active agent delivery system for delivering discrete units of active agent formulation in admixture with a fluid is disclosed. Said system comprises: a hollow active agent formulation chamber (10) having a first end (16) and a second end (18) and containing an active agent formulation in the form of a plurality of discrete units, said ends being adapted to pass fluid during delivery of the active agent formulation; and a fluid passing active agent retainer for preventing release of the discrete units from the first end (16) of the chamber while permitting fluid entry into the chamber; and is characterised in that said fluid passing active agent retainer comprises a restriction in the cross-sectional area of said first end of said chamber, and each of said discrete units has a diameter greater than said restriction. <IMAGE>

Description

Oral administration of individual units

Tablets, capsules, caplets and other forms of devices have been used for oral administration of the active agents. This form is relatively easy to manufacture and convenient to use in a hospital or other institution or home. Many other forms of active agent have been combined in these dosage forms, ranging from analgesics to antibiotics and hormones.

Some patients have difficulty swallowing solid oral dosage forms due to aging or illness. According to Kikendall et al., Digestive Diseases and Sciences 28: 2 (1983), 221 cases of esophageal injury caused by tablets and capsules have been reported over the 1970-1982 period. The most commonly implicated drugs were tetracycline (108 cases), emepromium bromide (36 cases), potassium chloride (16 cases) and ferrous salts (12 cases).

In light of the above, there is a need for an oral dosage form which avoids swallowing large solids and which can be readily prepared and used.

U.S. Patent No. 2,436,505 to DuRall discloses a pill douser for administering a drug in liquid form or as a pill or tablet. The device has a container for holding the medicine on top and a tube that can be submerged in the liquid in the drink glass. This liquid is introduced upwards to administer the liquid and any pills or tablets in this container.

US Pat. No. 2,867,536 to Mad et al. Discloses an improved beverage straw with soluble seasoning in the annular space in the inner and outer tubes. The inner tube has a hole through which liquid can enter. During use, the top and bottom caps are removed and the seasoning material enters the liquid so that the seasoned liquid enters the mouth through the inner tube.

U.S. Patent No. 3,610,483 in the name of Visconti discloses an administration device for a liquid medicine in the form of a straw. The prescribed amount of liquid medicine is covered with a lid so that the patient removes the cover, inhales the air into the device, and puts in a straw until the medicine is administered.

Various other oral administration devices are disclosed. Among them are therapeutic agents (U.S. Patent No. 5,123,915 to Miller et al.) And Alsugar-type devices for solid medicaments (U.S. Patent No. 5,223,259 to Lackney). Either of these devices or any of the aforementioned devices presents an inherent difficulty in swallowing a solid system, such as a tablet or capsule, or the problem of shelf-life encountered when the drug is dissolved or dispersed in a fluid, preferably an aqueous solution. Do not administer the solid medication intraorally as a mass of blood while avoiding

The present invention relates to oral administration of an active agent, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for orally administering an active agent in the form of individual units mixed with a fluid by inserting the individual units into a hollow active agent chamber. The retainer at the first end of the chamber prevents the release of individual units from the first end of the chamber while allowing the flow of fluid when the patient inhales the second end of the chamber. Individual units can easily be brought into a mixed state with the fluid introduced through the chamber.

1A is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the dosage device of the present invention in manufactured form prior to being placed in a liquid medium.

1B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the first end of the device of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the dosing device of FIG. 1A after being placed in a liquid medium and administered with a portion of the active agent. FIG.

FIG. 2B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an intermediate end of the device of FIG. 2A;

3A is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1A after completion of administration of the active agent.

FIG. 3B is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the second end of the device of FIG. 3A.

4 is a cross sectional view showing a second embodiment of the administration device of the present invention in the manufactured form;

Fig. 5A is a cross sectional view showing a third embodiment of the dosage device of the present invention in a manufactured form;

Fig. 5B is a bottom view showing the third embodiment of the administration device of the present invention in the manufactured form.

5C and 5D are plan views showing a third embodiment of the administration device of the present invention in the manufactured form.

6-9 are cross-sectional views showing another embodiment of the dosage device of the present invention in a manufactured form.

Thus, in one aspect of the invention, the invention relates to an oral dosage device for administering individual units of the active agent in admixture with a fluid. The device includes a hollow activator chamber. The chamber has first and second ends and also contains the active agent in separate units. Active agents include active agents. The apparatus further includes an activator retainer through which fluid passes within the first end of the chamber. The retainer prevents individual units from being discharged from the first end while introducing fluid into the chamber.

In one embodiment, the individual units housed in the chamber are particulate.

In a second embodiment, the individual units housed in the chamber are in the form of multiple active agent dosages.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for orally administering individual units of an active agent in admixture with a fluid. The method includes the step of inserting individual units of the active agent into the hollow drug delivery chamber of the drug delivery device. The chamber has a first end and a second end. The first end of the chamber has an activator retainer through which the fluid passes. The drug delivery device has first and second ends. The first end of the medication device is inserted into the fluid and the second end is inserted into the patient's mouth. The patient then inhales the second end of the device causing a separate unit of fluid and active agent to enter the patient's mouth.

Although the drawings are not drawn to scale, various embodiments of the present invention have been described by way of example. Like reference numerals denote like parts.

The present invention provides a device for oral administration of the active agent in the form of a separate unit that is easy to manufacture and use and to which a predetermined amount of the active agent can be administered. The present invention also provides a method of orally administering individual units in mixed form with a fluid.

Justice

The term "active agent" refers to an active agent or drug which optionally combines a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and additional inert ingredients.

The term "individual unit" refers to a solid or particulate active agent.

"Oral dosage form" as disclosed herein means an active agent which is capable of maintaining chemical form and chemical consistency while in the administration device and being in a separate unit.

As used herein, the term "therapeutically effective amount" or "therapeutically effective rate" refers to the amount or ratio of active agent necessary to produce the desired pharmacological, often beneficial results.

The term "active agent retainer" refers to a valve, plug, or restriction that prevents the passage of the active agent from the device. By "fluid activator retainer" is meant a valve, plug or restriction, etc., which passes a fluid but does not pass other components, such as an activator, contained within an administration device.

The dosage device of the present invention is used when it is inconvenient or unsafe to use solid oral dosage forms such as capsules or tablets. This device is very useful for elderly or pediatric patients but also for patients who have difficulty swallowing capsules or tablets. A single administration device or several devices may be administered to a patient during the course of a treatment program.

1A is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of an administration device according to the present invention. The device is in manufactured form prior to being put into the fluid. The dosing device 1 is shown in FIG. 1A to include a hollow activator chamber 10 having a first end 16 and a second end 18. The chamber 10 includes an activator retainer 14 through which an activator 12 and a fluid pass. The activator retainer 14 through which the fluid passes includes a restriction 24 and a unidirectional plug 28. The diameter of the opening 20 is smaller than the plug 28. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A the restricting portion is produced by pleating the end 16 of the chamber 10. The second end 18 of the chamber 10 has an activator retainer 26 for preventing release of the unidirectional plug 28. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A the retainer 26 is produced by corrugating the end 18 of the chamber 10. The chamber 10 may then be enclosed with activator 12, which may be drug particles, coated drug particles or “small time limit pills” alone or with additional carriers. An end cap 34 is positioned above the second end 18 of the chamber 10 before use to prevent release of the activator 12. 1B shows a unidirectional plug in which the unidirectional plug 28 seals the first end 16 of the chamber 10 and thus prevents the loss of the activator 12 from the first end 16. 28 is an enlarged view showing.

2A shows the dosing device 1 in an operational state after being placed in the fluid 30. The first end 16 of the administration device 1 is located in the fluid 30 and the second end 18 of the device is located in the mouth of the patient. The patient inhales the second end 18 of the device and administers a mixture of the activator 12 and the fluid 30 through the opening 22 into the patient's mouth. As shown in FIG. 2B, the plug 28 acts as a unidirectional valve. Inhalation through the tubular member 10 causes the unidirectional plug 28 to deform so that fluid flows around the unidirectional plug 28 as indicated by arrow 32. When the suction is stopped, the unidirectional plug 28 relaxes and automatically seals the chamber 10 (see FIG. 3B). The unidirectional plug 28 having a density of 1 or less is moved over the long tubular member, thus facilitating the administration of the active agent 12. The position of the unidirectional plug 28 of the chamber 10 serves as an indicator of how much active agent 12 has been administered.

3A shows the dosing device 1 after the administration of the active agent is completed. The unidirectional plug 28 is located adjacent to the opening 22 but does not leave the chamber 10 because the diameter of the opening is smaller than the diameter of the unidirectional plug 28 (see FIG. 3B). The position of the unidirectional plug 28 adjacent to the opening 22 acts as an indicator of whether the entire activator 12 has been administered.

4 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the administration device according to the present invention. This device is a manufactured form prior to being put into a fluid. Dosing device 40 is shown in FIG. 4 to include an activator chamber 42. Within the chamber 42 is a multi-oral dosage form 44. The first end 46 of the chamber 42 has an activator retainer 54 through which fluid produced by corrugating the chamber 42 passes such that the diameter of the opening 48 is smaller than the oral dosage form 44. . In this way the oral dosage form 44 will not fall out of the chamber 42. The second end 50 contains an activator retainer 56 in the form of a removable seal 52. In operation, the first end 46 of the chamber 42 is encased in the fluid, and the removable seal 52 is removed so that the second end 50 is positioned in the patient's mouth. The patient then inhales the end 50 so that the mixture of fluid and dosage form can be administered orally and swallowed easily. Oral dosage form 44 may be in the form of immediate release, delayed release, continuous release or controlled release, depending on the desired mode of administration.

FIG. 5A is a cross sectional view showing another embodiment of the device of the present invention in a form of manufacture prior to being put into a fluid. FIG. In this embodiment, the activator chamber 60 of the dosing device 62 is of uniform diameter over its entire length. In the manufactured form, the activator retainer 80 through which the fluid passes comprises a unidirectional plug 28 and an end cap 64. The end cap 66 is positioned above the second end 72 of the chamber 60 and forms an activator retainer 82. An end cap 64 located above the first end 68 of the chamber 60 is designed to allow fluid to pass but prevent movement of the unidirectional plug 28 from the first end 68 of the chamber 60. As shown in FIG. 5B, the end cap 64 may be a cross-shaped inner member 70, but may be any convenient shaped inner member as long as it does not allow the fluid to pass through but the one-way plug 28 does not move. The end cap 66 located above the second end 72 of the chamber 60 is designed to provide a means for freely passing liquid when the patient inhales but closing the end of the device prior to use. Thus, the rotary valve 74 rests on the end cap 66. The top view of the end cap 66 and the rotary valve 74 is shown in FIG. 5C. This configuration allows fluid to pass through when the openings 76 are aligned with each other and not through liquid when the openings 76 are aligned with the closure 78. 5D is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 5A when the open portion 76 of the valve 74 is aligned with the closed portion 78 of the end cap 66.

6 is a cross sectional view of yet another embodiment of the device of the present invention in its manufactured form prior to entrainment. In this embodiment the activator chamber 90 is located on top of the elongated tubular member 92 and is separated by an activator retainer 94, in this case a porous plug, through which the fluid passes. The fluid is administered intraorally once the first end 96 of the device 100 is positioned in the fluid 30 and the activator retainer 102, in this case the removable seal, is removed from the second end 104 of the device. May be sucked through the elongated tubular member 92 and chamber 90 to form a mixture of the fluid 30 and the activator 12 contained in the activator chamber 90.

7 is a cross sectional view of yet another embodiment of the inventive device. This embodiment is similar to that shown in FIG. 6, but the activator chamber 110 is at the first end 112 of the device 114 rather than at the second end 116. The active agent is administered as described with reference to FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment similar to that shown in FIG. 1, but the second end 120 of the activator chamber 122 is not corrugated but rather release of the unidirectional plug 28 after administration of the activator 12. It has an active agent retainer 124 behind the projection 126, which in this case has a tab that can be pulled out.

9 is a cross-sectional view similar to that shown in FIG. 4, but rather than the detachable seal, the second end 130 may be completely removed prior to placing the device in the fluid 30 and administering the oral dosage form 44. 134).

The active agent itself may be liquid, solid or semisolid. Active agents containing the active agent may contain additional substances such as binders, coatings or stabilizers such that the formulation is formed into one or more individual units. Individual units may be designed in various ways to provide specific drug administration profiles. One embodiment includes a particular type of formulation. These particles generally have a diameter in the range of about 50-2000 μm and usually in the range of about 100-500 μm. If the particles have an unpleasant taste these particles may have a hidden taste by methods known in the art. These particles may be designed to enable immediate administration of the active agent, which may be coated to provide sustained release or delayed intermittent release of the active agent, or may provide a combination of immediate, intermittent and / or continuous administration of the active agent. have. The particles may be coated with a long coat to provide the desired release of the active agent. In addition, it may be an active agent containing one or more active agents.

In another embodiment, the active agent may be in liquid form or contained in soft gelatin capsules or solid oral dosage forms. These dosage forms include matrix or other forms of tablets, pills, elongated tablets longer than height, capsules, elementary osmotic pumps, as described in US Pat. No. 3,845,770, US Pat. No. 3,995,631, US Pat. Mini-osmotic pumps as described in US Pat. Nos. 4,034,756 and 4,111,202 and push-pull and pushmelt osmosis pumps as described in US Pat. Nos. 4,320,759, 4,327,725, 4,449,983 and 4,765,989. multi-chamber osmosis systems, referred to as -melt), these patents are described herein by reference.

The method of determining the release profile of the active agent from the solid dosage form can be calculated as follows.

n = x + y + z

n = total number of individual units in the device

x = individual units released immediately

y = individual unit that emits constant

z = individual units with delayed release

Constant release is obtained when x = z = 0, two intermittent releases are obtained when y = 0, and initially intermittent and constant release occurs when z = 0. Intermittent / constant release / intermittent release when not x, y or z = 0. These systems are provided in high capacity devices that can be administered once a day.

The term "active agent" refers to a medicament, drug, compound, composition of matter or mixtures thereof that provide some medicinal, frequently beneficial effect. This includes foods, dietary supplements, nutritional supplements, drugs, vitamins and other beneficial agents. As used herein, the term further includes any physiological or pharmacologically active substance that produces a local or systemic effect in the patient. Active agents that may be administered may include antibiotics, antiviral agents, anepileptics, analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents and bronchodilators, and may also include peripheral nerves, adrenergic receptors, cholinergic receptors, skeletal muscle, cardiovascular system, smooth muscle, Drugs that act on blood circulation, synoptic sites, neurological organs, endocrine and hormone systems, immune system, reproductive system, skeletal system, otacoid system, dietary and excretory system, histamine and central nervous system, without limitation It may be an inorganic and an organic compound containing. Suitable agents include, for example, polysaccharides, steroids, hypnotics and sedatives, psychostimulants, neurostabilizers, anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, antiparkinsonism, analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents, muscle contractors, antibacterials, antimalarials, fertility medications, sympathetic Hormones, diuretics, lipid modulators, antiandrogens, antiparasitic agents, neoplastics, antineoplastics, hypoglycemic agents, nutrients and supplements, growth aids, including neurostimulants, polypeptides and proteins that can induce pharmacological effects , Fats, eye drops, anti-inflammatory agents, electrolytes and diagnostics.

Examples of the active agent useful in the present invention include prochloroperazine dicylate, ferrous sulfate, aminocaproic acid, mecamylamine hydrochloride, prokanamide hydrochloride, amphetamine sulfate, metaamphetamine hydrochloride, benzfetamine hydrochloride, iso sulfate Proterenol, Phenmetrazine Hydrochloride, Betanechol Chloride, Methacholine Chloride, Philocarpine Hydrochloride, Atropine Sulfate, Scopolamine Bromine, Isopropamide Iodide, Tridihexetyl Chloride, Penformin Hydrochloride, Methylpheny Date Hydrochloride, Theophylline Collinate, Cephalexin Hydrochloride, Diphenidol, Meclizin Hydrochloride, Prochlorperazine Maleate, Phenoxybenzamine, Thiethylperazine Maleate, Anicindione, Diphenadione Erytrityl Tetranitrate , Digoxin, isopululophosphate, acetazolamide, metazolamide, bendropulumethiazide, chlorpropamide, tolazamide, chlormadi Non-acetate, phenaglycodol, allopurinol, aluminum aspirin, methotrexate, acetyl sulfisoxazole, hydrocortisone, hydrocorticosterone acetate, cortisone acetate, dexamethasone and betamethasone, triamcinolone, methyltestosterone, 17-b-estra Diol, ethynyl estradiol, ethynyl estradiol 3-methyl ether, prednisolone, 17-b-hydroxyprogesterone acetate, 19-nor-progesterone, norgesterel, noethyne drone, noethysterone, norie Thiederone, porogenosterone, norgesterone, noethinodrel, aspirin, acetaminophen, indomethacin, naproxen, phenopropene, sulindac, indopropene, nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate , Propranolol, timolol, atenolol, alprenolol, cimetidine, clonidine, imipramine, levodopa, chlorpromazine, methyldopa, Hydroxyphenylalanine, calcium gluconate, ketoprofen, ibuprofen, cephalexin, erythromycin, haloperidol, jomepilac, ferrous lactate, vincamine, phenoxybenzamine, diltiazem, milnonone, captropril, mandol , Quantumbenz, hydrochlorothiazide, ranitidine, flurbiprofen, fenbufen, fluprofen, tolmetin, alclofenac, mefenamic, flufenamic, difuninal, nimodipine, nitridipine, nisole Dipine, Nicardipine, Pelodipine, Idoflavin, Tiafamill, Gallopamil, Amlodipine, Myopazine, Ricinopril, Enalapril, Captopril, Ramipril, Enilaprilat, Palmitodine, Ni Derivatives thereof such as jatidine, sucralate, ethyntidine, tetratolol, minoxidil, chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, amitriptyline and imipramine. Also examples include insulin, colchicine, glucagon, thyroid stimulating hormone, parathyroid and pituitari hormones, calcitonin, lenin, prolactin, corticotropin, thyroid stimulating hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, chondarotropin of chorionic membrane, and gonadotropin. Proteins and peptides including but not limited to pin releasing hormone, bovine somatotropin, swine somatotropin, oxytocin, vasopressin, prolactin, somatostatin, ripressin, pancregiomine and luteinizing hormone.

It will be appreciated that one or more active agents may be mixed in the active agents in the device of the present invention and that the use of the term “medicament” excludes the use of two or more such agents.

The agents may be in various forms such as soluble and insoluble charged or uncharged molecules, components of the molecular complex, or non-irritating pharmacologically acceptable salts.

The amount of active agent used in the dosing device is the amount in which a therapeutically effective amount of the agent needs to be administered to achieve the desired result. In practice, this varies greatly depending on the particular agent, the stringency of the condition and the desired therapeutic effect. However, devices are generally useful for active agents administered at fairly large doses in the range of approximately 100 mg to 5000 mg, typically in the range of approximately 250 to 2500 mg. However, since the device is also useful for pediatric patients, dosages in the range of 25 to 250 mg are also contemplated here.

Representative materials for forming devices comprising active agent chambers, elongated tubular members, end caps and tabs include, but are not limited to, paper, plastics such as propylene / styrene copolymers, polypropylene, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, and the like. It doesn't work. Devices typically have an inner diameter between about 3 and 8 mm and a wall thickness between about 0.1 and 0.4 mm. The devices have a length between approximately 10 and 300 cm.

The active agent retainer through which the fluid passes freely flows the liquid medium prior to administration but prevents the passage of the active agent from the device. If the retainer includes a unidirectional plug or valve, the plug or valve will seal the straw at atmospheric pressure. If inhaled, fluid will enter the activator chamber around the plug. The plug also has a density of less than or equal to 1 so that the active agent is inclined upward when administered intraorally. If no further suction is applied, the plug will remain at its highest position during suction. The plug may be made from a closed cell polyethylene foam such as EthaFoam®. Other forms of unidirectional plugs may be balloons of elastic material, unidirectional mechanical ball valves, and the like.

The fluid used to suspend the active agent by inhalation through the active agent chamber may be any liquid that tastes good, such as water, juice, milk, soda, coffee, tea, and the like, but is not limited to this. Care should be taken to ensure fluid compatibility with the active agent.

The following examples illustrate the invention. They are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and equivalents of these embodiments are possible in the specification, drawings and claims.

Example 1

The administration device according to the present invention was prepared as follows. The extra-large straw, with an inner diameter of 0.21 inches and a length of 8 inches, was heat sealed at one end. The seal was partially cut so that the "unidirectional" plug could not escape. The partially sealed end was closed with half of the size 1 hard gelatin capsule. 600 mg of membrane coated potassium chloride particles having a particle size of approximately 0.5 mm from Micro-K Extencap® (A.H. Robins) were placed inside the open end of the straw. A "unidirectional" plug made of closed cell polyethylene foam, Microfoam® (DuPont), was trimmed to fit inside the straw. The plug was then placed inside the straw at the top of the Micro-K particles.

During operation, the plug end of the straw was placed in a glass of water and the protective gelatin capsule on the top of the straw was removed. By slowly inhaling through the partially sealed end of the straw, 600 mg of Micro-K particles were sucked into the mouth and easily swallowed.

Example 2

The device was prepared according to Example 1 but contained in a Contact® 12 hour capsule (SmithKline Beechem) instead of Micro-K, 25 mg phenylpropanolamine and 12 mg chlorpheniramine male by reverse sequencing. Nasal decongestants / antihistamines containing acid salts were inserted into straws. The microparticles were in the range between approximately 0.5 and 1.0 mm. The particles were sucked into the mouth as described in Example 1.

Example 3

The administration device according to the present invention was prepared as follows. The extra-large straw, with an inner diameter of 0.21 inches and a length of 6 inches, was heat sealed at one end. The seal was partially cut so that the orifice had a diameter of 5 mm or less.

Small basic osmotic pumps of calcium ascorbate were prepared as follows. The core compartment was formed from 50 mg calcium ascorbate, 2.7 mg polyvinyl pyrrolidone and 0.6 mg magnesium stearate. The ingredients were mixed thoroughly and pressed into a Manesty press with a 3/16 inch round punch using a 1 1/2 ton pressure head. A 5 mg semipermeable wall was formed by mixing 80% cellulose acetate, 10% sorbitol and 5% polyethylene glycol 400 having an acetyl content of 39.0%. This solution was spray coated onto the core compartment with a solvent consisting of 186 ml of water and 714 ml of acetone in an air suspension. The coated osmotic tablets were dried at 50 ° C. for 72 hours. The 0.2 mm orifice was hand drilled into the wall.

20 small osmotic devices with a total dose of 1000 mg of calcium ascorbate were placed into the straw from the open end. The partially sealed end of the straw was placed in a glass of water. Twenty small osmotic dosage forms are easily absorbed into the mouth with a small inhalation to continuously release vitamin C.

The above description is only for understanding. The skilled person will appreciate that unnecessary restrictions should not be used and that many modifications are possible.

Claims (15)

In the active agent oral administration device in which the individual units of the active agent are mixed with the fluid and administered, A hollow activator chamber 10 having first and second ends and containing the activator 12 in the form of a separate unit, and Consisting of an activator retainer through which fluid in the activator chamber 10 passes to prevent fluid from entering the activator chamber 10 and from discharging individual units from the first end 16 of the chamber, The retainer is an oral administration device, characterized in that for carrying the fluid entering the administration device toward the second end (18). In the active agent oral administration device in which the individual units of the active agent are mixed with the fluid and administered, A hollow activator chamber 10 having a first end 16 and a second end 18 and containing the activator in the form of a plurality of individual units, and An activator retainer through which fluid includes a restriction in the cross section of the activator chamber to allow fluid to enter the activator chamber 10 and prevent individual units from being released from the first end 16 of the chamber. Done, Orally each of said individual units has a larger diameter than said restriction. The activator retainer (14) according to claim 1 or 2, in the second end (18) of the activator chamber (10) to prevent the release of the activator from the second end (18) before use. Oral administration device characterized in that it further comprises. The oral administration device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the individual units are selected from the group consisting of particles, oral dosage forms, and combinations thereof. 5. An oral administration device according to claim 4, wherein said individual unit is provided for the continuous administration of the active agent in said formulation. 5. An oral administration device according to claim 4, wherein said individual unit is provided for immediate administration of the active agent in said formulation. 5. An oral administration device according to claim 4, wherein said individual unit is provided for delayed intermittent administration of the active agent in said formulation. 5. The oral administration device according to claim 4, wherein the individual unit is in an oral dosage form consisting of an osmotic layer and an active agent layer. The oral administration device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the active agent retainer further comprises a unidirectional plug. 10. The oral administration device according to claim 9, wherein the position of the plug (28) is an indicator indicating the degree of active agent administration. 3. The oral administration device of claim 1 or 2, further comprising an end cap concentrically surrounding the first end (16) of the chamber. 4. An oral administration device according to claim 3, wherein the activator retainer (14) in the second end (18) of the chamber consists of a rotary valve. 4. An oral administration device according to claim 3, wherein the activator retainer (14) in the second end (18) of the chamber is narrowed in the second end (18) of the chamber. 4. An oral administration device according to claim 3, wherein the activator retainer (14) in the second end (18) of the chamber comprises a removable end cap (66). The oral administration device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the active agent comprises an active agent selected from the group consisting of antiseptic agents, antiviral agents, enepileptics, analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents and bronchodilators.