DEVELOPMENT OF CONTROLLED-RELEASE FORMULATIONS OF KETOPROFEN FOR ORALUSE

Microencapsulated forms of ketoprofen were formulated using polymers a nd polymer combinations and their in-vitro release characteristics wer e evaluated against pure ketoprofen using Vanderkamp 600 dissolution t est apparatus. Suspensions of cellulose acetate phthalate were prepare d and various quantities of drug, glycerin, tween 80, span 80, methoce l and avicel were added and the resulting solution was passed through a peristaltic pump into a hardening solution. Beads were formed, dried and the release of the drug was studied at various time intervals in a dissolution medium of simulated intestinal pH. The dissolution studi es of the ketoprofen demonstrated differences in drug release properti es depending on composition and method of preparation. A formulation o f Methocel beads with equal proportions of the two surfactants release d its drug content over a period of 12 hours in a zero-order fashion. Rapid drug dissolution was seen when the formulations contained Tween 80 as a surfactant. Varying the drug to CAP ratio in the suspension fr om 0.1 to 0.4 did not appear to alter dissolution. It is concluded tha t proper control of the formulation can give any desirable release fro m ketoprofen formulations.