PREPARATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND IN-VITRO RELEASE OF IBUPROFEN FROMAL2O3 PLA/PMMA COMPOSITES/

The preparation, characterization, and in vitro release of Ibuprofen f rom Al2O3, poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), and polymethylmethacrylate (PMM A) composites are described. The release process of the anti-inflammat ory drug after the immersion of composites in a buffered solution is a nalyzed. The rate of Ibuprofen release is related to the crystalline o r amorphous form of the drug. The presence of a ceramic component, alp ha-Al2O3, and a biodegradable polymer, PLLA, facilitates both Ibuprofe n crystallization and drug release. Ln addition, these composite syste ms modulate the release of the stereoisomers R(-) and S(+) of the drug . (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.