Comparative bioavailability study of two oral formulations of ibuprofen

The pharmacokinetic profile of ibuprofen (CAS 15687-27-1) in a Fast Melting Tablet (FMT), a modified release formulation (encapsulation of the active ingredient in gastroresistant microcapsules), was compared with that of sugar coated tablets (SCT; Moment 200). In the following paper an open, single dose, cross-over study in eighteen healthy volunteers (9 males and 9 females--mean age 27 years) is reported. The results of the study demonstrated that the rate of absorption of the FMT was markedly slower than that of the SCT. In fact, the geometric mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and median peak time (tmax) were 12.04 micrograms/ml at 3.5 h with the new formulation, and 18.71 micrograms/ml at 1 h with the SCT, respectively. The longer absorption time and diminished peak plasma concentration did not affect the extent of absorption of the two formulations, expressed by AUCo-t and AUC (90% confidence interval: 0.89-1.00 for AUCo-t and 0.92-1.03 for AUC). The safety profile of both drugs proved to be very good and no clinically significant adverse events were observed.