Formulation and Analytical Evaluation of Sustained-Release Matrix Tablets of Ibuprofen for Enhanced Therapeutic Efficacy and Reduced Dosing Frequency

Abstract

Ibuprofen is a common non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is commonly prescribed in managing pain, inflammation as well as fever. Although effective, the traditional ibuprofen tablet has some therapeutic disadvantages since they possess a rather low biological half-life and thus high frequency of administration is needed to maintain a sufficient level of drug in the plasma. The frequent dosage can decrease the patient compliance and enhance the chances of gastrointestinal irritation and other side effects caused by the higher dosing rate. As a way to overcome these obstacles, sustained-release drug delivery systems were investigated as a powerful approach that could allow keeping therapeutic drugs in the body over an extended period of time, with the lowest possible dosing frequency. The current research is centered on designing and analytical assessment of sustained-release matrix tablets of ibuprofen that is to deliver controlled drug release within a long time. The tablet preparations were done with suitable hydrophilic polymer matrices with a mixture of the widely used pharmaceutical excipients using a direct compression method. The developed tablets were tested on pre-compression and post-compression characteristics such as flow properties of powder blends, hardness, thickness, weight change, friability and uniformity of drug content ensuring that the pharmaceutical quality was satisfactory. Besides that, in vitro dissolution experiment was carried out to evaluate the drug release profile and to evaluate the capability of the matrix system to maintain the drug release profile with time. These findings reveal that the optimized formulation had desirable tablet properties as well as a regulated and prolonged drug release profile. These sustained release preparations could achieve constant therapeutic levels and lower dosage schedule and patient adherence. Altogether, the designed system of tablet-form matrices is a perspective of improving the therapeutic effectiveness of ibuprofen and offers a patient and convenient dosage regime.